Traditional Childbirth Educator Certification

ICEA certified childbirth educators have verified that they have the necessary knowledge and experience to enable them to facilitate expectant parents' mental and physical preparation for pregnancy, labor, birth and parenthood. This program promotes the concept of the childbirth educator as an advocate of the natural process of childbirth and the right of the expectant parent to make informed choices based on the knowledge of alternatives.

Steps To Certification

Candidates must first enroll in the program and become an ICEA member. The following four prerequisites must be completed within two years (the exam is the last step).

1. Complete the referenced reading list.
2. Acquire a minimum of 16 ICEA approved contact hours by attending any one of the following workshops/trainings:
   
   A.      ICEA Professional Childbirth Educator Workshop
   B.      Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Seminar
   C.      The Simkin Center: Childbirth Educator Training
   D.      The Great Starts Program At Parent Trust: Childbirth Educator Training
3. Successfully complete an evaluated teaching series.
4. Observe a minimum of two labors and/or births.
5. After steps 1-4 are completed, apply to take the certification examination.

Candidates will choose their own date and location to take the test (no less than 30 days prior to submitting your application) and find a proctor to administer the exam.  The proctor can be any professional (another educator, administrator, librarian…etc…no friends or family members).  There is a place on the exam application to where you will specify this information.  Once the main office receives the completed application packet and fee, they will hold the file until about two weeks prior to the specified exam date and then mail your test directly to the proctor.  Exam testing is also offered at ICEA's annual convention at a reduced fee.

Study Guides

While completing the prerequisites for the certification examination, candidates use the objectives contained in the study guides for self-paced, independent study. Each objective contains an overview, content outlines, key concepts, references, and required position statements and articles. (the study guides are mailed to you in the form of a computer CD/DISC upon enrolling in the certification program) Each section contains extensive objectives and are divided into the following ten subject areas:

• Part I - Family-Centered Maternity Care (FCMC) and the Role of the Childbirth Educator
• Part II - Anatomy&Physiology of Preconception, Conception and Pregnancy
• Part III - Nutrition for the Childbearing Year and Infant Feeding
• Part IV - Psychosocial/Emotional Changes in Pregnancy, Abuse Issues
• Part V - Labor and Birth
• Part VI - Labor Coping Skills
• Part VII - Obstetrical Tests and Procedures
• Part VIII - Cesarean Birth and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
• Part IX - Postpartum and the Newborn
• Part X - Teaching Skills

Estimated Costs For ICEA Certification

• ICEA Membership ($95/year) plus Certification Program Enrollment ($150)
• Evaluated teaching series (some evaluators will volunteer their time; others will charge a fee)
• Professional Childbirth Educator Workshop Contact Hours - $250 to $400 (approx)
• Referenced Readings - $300 (approx)
• Certification Examination Fee - $200
• Total certification costs approximately $1300 for a rewarding career.

Referenced Readings For This Program Are:

• ICEA’s Guide to Pregnancy & Birth (2011)
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler, Durham, & Bolding (2010)
• Evidence and Skills for Normal Labour and Birth: A Guide for Midwives, by Walsh (2011)
• Maternity & Women's Health Care, by Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden (2011)
• The Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia, by Simkin & Ancheta (2011)
• Prepared Childbirth - The Educator's Guide, by Amis & Green (2007)
• Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding - by Smith (2009)
• Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, by Bennett (2010)

Purchase the referenced readings at the ICEA Bookcenter and receive a discount on the bundled set.
Regular/Non-Member Price: $320.00
Sale/Member Price: $295.00
BUY NOW

Other suggested, but NOT mandatory readings include:

• The Newborn Child: 9th Edition, by Johnston, Flood, & Spinks (2002)
• Preparing for Childbirth; Relaxing for Labor, Learning for Life, by Parsons (1997)
• Creating Your Birth Plan: The Definitive Guide to a Safe and Empowering Birth, by Wagner & Gunning (2006)
• LLLI: The Breast Feeding Answer Book (2012) / www.llli.org./babupdate

Forms And Guidelines: