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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. I was wondering how does someone go about being a childbirth educator? Do you have to be a nurse? Do you have any information?

A. You don't have to be a nurse to become a childbirth educator. The advice I give anyone who wants to become a childbirth educator is to make sure you get into the program that best suits you. Request information from all the programs. Read their brochures carefully and see which ones fit in with your philosophy of birth. Ask to talk to other trainees and certified instructors to get their opinion of the program. As in preparing for labor and birth, being an informed consumer is crucial to making a decision. The main programs are Lamaze International, Bradley Method, ALACE, BirthWorks and ICEA. Becoming a certified childbirth educator is a very rewarding experience. I wish you the best of luck!

• For more information, check out our Becoming a Childbirth Educator FAQ.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.