Have you a passion for birth? Would you like to train to be an antenatal educator?
Training to become an Antenatal Educator with Cuidiú (Antenatal Ireland):
The Antenatal Education Training Course is run by Cuidiú through its Antenatal Education Section (Antenatal Ireland).
The course runs on a roll-on/roll-off basis whereby students at different stages of training attend tutorials. This brings added value where established students bring knowledge and experience as well as demonstrating their growing confidence with teaching practice. New students bring new energy and enthusiasm into the group. New student intake takes place every February.
The Antenatal Teacher Training course is a blended learning programme which includes distance learning, tutorials (approximately monthly on a Saturday – excluding July & August), workshops, specialised study days, practical assignments/teaching practice and written assignments. The length of the course is a minimum of two and a half years. It is designed to give students a theoretical and practical grounding in all issues relating to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. It involves learning about the anatomy and physiology of labour – both normal and abnormal, giving interactive teaching sessions as well as submitting assessed assignments. A large component of the course is based on how adults learn best. There is a strong focus on group facilitation skills and group dynamics. This is done within the context of being part of a group oneself, i.e. the training group. Personal development work is undertaken to enhance self-awareness, resourcefulness and communication skills.The course provides opportunities for the practical development of teaching skills under the supervision of tutors, and opportunities to debrief and explore birth and parenting experiences. A unique aspect of the course is the level of peer and tutor support, friendship and mentoring.
This is a rewarding and stimulating course leading to a Diploma in Antenatal Education and a license to practice as an Antenatal Ireland educator. Antenatal Ireland educators are self-employed and work closely with women and their partners to enable them to make informed decisions regarding pregnancy, labour, birth and the early parenting weeks. It includes working with small groups of expectant parents to prepare them for life with a new baby.
The most important criteria to join the course is a passion for birth and the desire to work with parents facilitating empowering, interactive and enjoyable antenatal classes. Our students also show evidence of life and/or work experiences related to birth which can be as a doula, breastfeeding counsellor, pregnancy yoga teacher, midwife, women’s educational or health issues, etc. Some of our students have none of the above backgrounds but have given birth which is certainly birth-related experience!
The selection process also involves a short introductory workshop where prospective students have an opportunity to find out more about the course, ask any questions and find out if this the path of them before the final decision to train is made.
If you would like more information, please email info@antenatalireland.ie for an information pack.