Visual Aids for Childbirth Preparation

Every now and again I find myself teaching a class that is just a tad less responsive than usual.  They don't ask many questions and don't have many comments.  Sometimes its like pulling teeth just to get them to say anything.  Everyone has different ways of learning-some like to listen to me talk-others prefer to have a visual to reinforce the discussion.  It is important to have some variety in your classes-different ways of learning concepts that compliment one another.  Most of the time I use different videos and/or visual aids. I would love to hear what you have incorporated into your childbirth education classes. 

A few of my favorite videos include-In Joy's "Everyday Miracles" and "Stages of Labor" as well as my all time favorites by Penny Simkin-"Comfort Measures" and "The 3 Rs."  So far I have not purchased any visual aids but have created my own-I always use the Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle diagram in all of my classes - I find it very helpful.

What visual aids do you use most? Which ones do you find most helpful?  What are some of your favorite videos? And what do you do when you have a quiet class?  

Comments

Visual Aids for Childbirth classes

by Anonymous - 07/26/2010 - 15:47

I try to switch it around, fewer handouts and discussions and use more dvd's and discussions surrounding the dvd's. I work as a community based doula working with pregnant teens and it can be a challenge. I have in the past have had at least one to two teens who become committed to attending group and they like to talk and they help stimuate the others to talk. The Stages of Labor is a favorite for conversations which lead into the Birth Wish discussion. This year, fewer dads have been attending and the future moms are more likely to talk. We have about 3 projects/craft projects for the 10 week sessions and that helps with keeping their interest and conversations going. I purchased charts and posters to put up for this fiscal year to help with them better understanding how their body works, cause and effect and how labor works, etc. This is a topic I am always interested in, I am always looking for ways to improve and adapt for the teen audience.

Visual aids for class

by Anonymous - 07/22/2010 - 15:08

I have many visual aids, from a fetal model and plastic pelvis to homemade "bean dolls" which demonstrate the development of the fetus. Sometimes the best visual aids are home-made!
Also, I use my own body as a visual aid when demonstrating effacement, dilation, perineal stretching, pelvic floor relaxation (you'd probably have to be there to see these--they aren't exactly what some of you think!)
-
Chris Maricle, ICCE-CD-IAT

teaching aids

by Anonymous - 07/10/2010 - 16:11

I really like to use visual teaching aids. I show dvd the womb from national geografic every second week. The new moms and dads to be love it! I only show them the scene selection of the trimester the most of the group is in and they can see what their new baby is going throug and how he/she is developing. Then I have made my own CD with different songs, starting with calm slow music and ending of with a heavy metal song. The CD is an hour long, but simbolising labor. The songs start with 10seconds then silence (which I then use to carry on with the class) songs that play getting closer and get more heavy and longer. When the song start playing the group must breath and their partner must practise different comforting techniques. I also let the partners wear a bag with a 5-6kg balloon in one class. There is so much!! I find since I have started using more visual aids the parents to be interact more. But I also know what you mean by saying it sometimes take a lot to get certain groups to participate the way you would like them to.

Teaching aids

by Anonymous - 07/10/2010 - 16:13

I forgot to say I am Hannelie Roodt (Neobies) South Africa