Elizabeth Varaso, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Where do you live? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How, where, and what do you teach? I teach expectant parents in a group setting as well as in private in-home classes. I’m also working to develop classes geared towards low-income families in my community who may not otherwise feel that they could afford a childbirth class.
What or who influences your teaching? My experience accompanying couples in labor as a birth doula greatly influences my teaching style and content. I want couples who take my class to be equipped with knowledge that will allow them to approach birth with confidence, with practical tools that will help them experience relaxation and comfort in labor, and with the encouragement that their inner-wisdom really will help to guide them through birth.
Keep reading about Elizabeth.
What is your goal as an educator? My goal as an educator is to help couples reach that “ah-ha” moment when then realize that women and babies really are wonderfully designed to do birth well. I hope that they will replace ideas about birth that are based on fear or uncertainty with an outlook on birth rooted in confidence and awe. Ultimately, I hope that entire families are impacted – that safe, healthy, well-supported birth gets parents and babies off to a great start, giving them the chance to grow into a strong, healthy and loving family.
What or who influences your teaching? Evaluation tools and feedback from participants influences my teachings, especially when feedback is given after my students have given birth and have some distance on what would have had been helpful to spend more time or detail on in class. It is helpful for me to see how trends evolve over time. For example, parents are now wanting to learn more about their postpartum life. Keeping up with technology and learning preferences helps me feel more connected with my students. Paying attention and learning more about structural problems in healthcare and how racism influences care helps me blend advocacy into my teaching. Also watching others teach from time to time is extremely helpful – learn from the best and be humble about changing things up in your own delivery, if need be.
How could you suggest other members receive maximum value from Lamaze? For me as a newer birth professional, the key to my growth and success as a Lamaze Childbirth Educator has been in having access to a tremendous mentor. I think that anyone who wants to get the most out of Lamaze needs to supplement all of the written and visual resources with one, great human resource. Find someone who you admire and learn how to follow in their footsteps.
Diane Sampson, MA, LCCE, IBCLC
Where do you live? Charlottesville, Virginia
How many years have you been teaching? 20 years
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? After graduate school, I worked in HIV and STI prevention for about 10 years. Interested in sexual health and political activism to advocate for people with HIV/AIDS, I worked in public health on the front lines of prevention, and then moved to doing trainings and education programs for healthcare providers and community members on HIV/AIDS topics. I was especially involved in teaching workshops for staff in HIV testing sites, to help with risk reduction counseling skills, and improving referrals for people with HIV/AIDS. After I got pregnant and got my care with a midwife, everything changed. I attended childbirth classes with an outstanding teacher, Betsy Collins, who was just born to do childbirth education. I told her after the second class, “You are doing exactly what you were placed here on earth to do.” I experienced the transformation of really solid, meaningful health education, both in the classroom and through a birth experience that altered me at my core. I wanted to do that for other families too.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I became an LCCE for a few reasons; name recognition, for one. Virginia Commonwealth University had just started a Lamaze training center with the fantastic Sharon Humenick. Sharon took the time and care to talk to me about the field, barriers in hospitals, changes in demographics, and lots of things. It really made an impression on me that she would take that time to talk to me, out of the blue, with such wit and smarts. I think I was among the first cohorts of teachers to go through training at VCU. I had great mentors in Betsy Collins, who was my instructor, and Leith Mullally, who led me through the process with Lamaze certification.
Keep reading about Diane.
What or who influences your teaching? Evaluation tools and feedback from participants influence my teachings, especially when feedback is given after my students have given birth and have some distance on what would have had been helpful to spend more time or detail on in class. It is helpful for me to see how trends evolve over time. For example, parents are now wanting to learn more about their postpartum life. Keeping up with technology and learning preferences helps me feel more connected with my students. Paying attention and learning more about structural problems in healthcare and how racism influences care helps me blend advocacy into my teaching. Also watching others teach from time to time is extremely helpful – learn from the best and be humble about changing things up in your own delivery, if need be.
What is your goal as an educator? My goal as an educator is to help turn the worry, fear, and tension about birth into courage and confidence. To help families see that they have some tools already to cope with labor – they may just need to dig deeper or examine their coping skills in a new way. And to help bridge the care between prenatal care in the clinic to the hospital experience by helping patients gain confidence in advocating for themselves and know more about the system.
Yogata, LCCE, CLC, Physiotherapist, HypnoBirthing Practitioner, Pregnancy Fitness Expert
Where do you live? Gurugram, Delhi, India
How many years have you been teaching? 6 years
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? I started off as a physiotherapist and then decided to move toward women’s health when I realized that it is so much more important to educate the first-time mothers apart from general physical exercises. It’s more than just preparing for a normal physiological birth; you also have to prepare the expecting parents for the mental aspect of birth. So I decided to become a Lamaze childbirth educator and train as a hypnobirthing practitioner so I can holistically help expecting parents.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? Because when it comes to childbirth education there is no bigger authority than Lamaze International, so it was obvious to choose to become an LCCE!
Keep reading about Yogyata.
What or who influences your teaching? I reference the childbirth professionals on the Lamaze Facebook group and the Lamaze website for new teaching methods. I frequently read blog posts on Giving Birth With Confidence and Connecting the Dots written by Sharon Muza and I look up to my teacher the influential Dr. Vijaya Krishnan from India.
How, where, and what do you teach (families/consumers, other educators, other health care professionals)? I teach physically as well as online, in a maternity hospital set up in Dehli, India, as well as in a private clinic.
Marjaana Siivola, LCCE, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), MS(tech), Licentiate of Science LicS(tech), PhD Student, Birthlight Aquanatal Yoga Instructor, HypnoBirthing Practitioner
Where do you live? Espoo, Finland
How many years have you been teaching? 7 years
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? My childbirth education started with my own childbirth story with my third birth and not wanting a cesarean without a medical reason, as well as the limitations of childbirth education in Finland.
What is your goal as an educator? My goal is to empower families to find their inner voice in childbirth and to reach for what they want in childbirth. No matter what kind of birth they want, if it really is what they want and they make informed decisions, and not solely based on what others are telling them to do.
Keep reading about Marjaana.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I choose to become an LCCE educator because Lamaze is researched-based and active in research.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator? I love using the B.A.B.E blog posts. I have learned a lot from them and I use them to keep up-to-date. I share links to some blog posts to my clients and use them in my class as well. I really like the post about the induction studies (Arrive and the Swedish study, etc).
When you are not teaching, what do you enjoy doing? I enjoy activities with my children and being active in association and municipal decision making.
Jennifer Stevens, RNC-OB, BSN, LCCE
Where do you live? New Jersey
How many years have you been teaching? Less than 1 year
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? After 20 plus years as a labor and delivery nurse, I decided to become a childbirth educator. It all started with a two day interactive class with Wendy in Intercourse, PA.
What is your goal as an educator? My patients influence my teaching and my goal is to empower woman with making informed decisions. I also want to decrease the cesarean rate in New Jersey.
Keep reading about Jennifer.
How, where, and what to do you teach? I teach in the hospital with interactive slides about information on labor, baby, and postpartum. I teach families. I also use my knowledge in my patient care in labor and delivery to educate my patients and coworkers.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I chose to be a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator because I wanted to spread my knowledge to pregnant women. I love empowering patients to achieve their best outcomes.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator? I use the blog on how to teach interactive classes and highly recommend all Lamaze members take advantage of the information in the blogs and newsletters.
Jayne H. Voyles, RN, BSN, LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC
Where do you live? Pensacola, Florida
How many years have you been teaching? 36 years
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? When I was a new nurse, I was positively influenced by a midwife, Margie Rickell, who mentored me and taught me to trust the body and respect the intimacy of birth. I saw how fear of labor and birth negatively impacted women and how informed, educated mothers had a much more positive experience. I wanted to be part of teaching them to trust their bodies and the birth process. I wanted to build their confidence in their own strength and capabilities.
What is your goal as an educator? To empower birthing parents to enjoy their births and impact their success and bonding from the start!
Keep reading about Jayne.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)?
Lamaze was and is the Gold Standard of childbirth education so I sought to achieve that credential and have been Lamaze certified since 1984. Before the births of my own babies!
Who or what influences your teachings?
The belief that our bodies were uniquely and wonderfully made to grow, birth and nourish our babies influences and inspires my teachings. That we are privileged to do so and must take that responsibility seriously. That there are no 'do-overs' on birth.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?
I take advantage of Lamaze research and educational opportunities to keep myself current and relevant.
Datia Rosenberg, CD(DONA), LCCE
Where do you live? Champaign, Illinois
How many years have you been teaching? 5 years
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? I would say having experienced myself labor and childbirth both in the United States and then Mexico, and learning a lot afterwards transformed me into a passionate educator with a mission — empower, prepare and share confidence with other women to become the star of the show during their childbirth experience.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)?
I wanted to learn from the best, accredited international organization, and I know that Lamaze is always updating information and partnering with scientists to promote safe and natural childbirth outcomes.
Who or what influences your teachings?
My teaching is influenced by several factors but I would say the most important influences are learning from the midwifes, learning from past experiences with military doctors, reading a lot and continuing education. Social media has also been a source of positive influence on my teachings.
Keep reading about Datia.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?
The Lamaze philosophy is the base of my teaching. Every single time I teach, I cannot stress enough the importance of the six healthy birth practices. Even when I am meeting with pregnant clients and families, I use the examples and benefits of the six healthy birth practices in those conversations so that they are extremely familiar with the benefits of applying them and all the research behind them early on.
How could you suggest other members receive maximum value from Lamaze?
Make sure you have access to all of their helpful resources – journals, magazines, emails, website, and online resources. And of course if they have the possibility, to attend one of the Lamaze conferences/summits.
What is your goal as an educator?
As a Doula and prenatal educator my goal is to make sure my clients and people I teach are satisfied with the information, the interactive exercises and comfort measures, feel prepared and empowered to begin the journey of parenthood, and know all of their options to make informed and wise decisions for the best outcome possible.
Maanjit Kaur, B.PT, COMT, LCCE
Where do you live? Ludhiana, Punjab, India
How many years have you been teaching? 10 years
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? My goal as an educator is to always serve my community with the best evidence-based knowledge that Lamaze provides and to keep trying to make every woman realize the wisdom and power she is born with to give birth naturally and make wise decisions in childbirth.
Keep reading about Maanjit.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator?
Because Lamaze was the only organization that my mind and my heart said to just do it! I always wanted to get the best knowledge in this field, so I got certified.
What or who influences your teaching?
There are many people in my life who have influenced me in some way. One of them is Dr. Vijaya Krishnan, co-founder of the sanctum natural birth centre, and my mentor, a brilliant teacher and a loving human soul.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?
My advice is to keep yourself connected with Lamaze and all their amazing conferences and keep recertifying as an LCCE to improve your knowledge and skills.
Claire Wyborn, LCCE, Birth and Postnatal Doula
Where do you live? Melbourne, Australia
How many years have you been teaching? 2.5 years
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? My goal as an educator would be to collaborate virtually with my daughter focusing on the 6 Health Birth Practices and grow Childbirth Education Australia group classes. Also, it would be amazing to hold endorsed Lamaze classes in local hospitals.
Keep reading about Claire.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator?
I have always had a desire to share and talk about childbirth, my own births taught me so much. When Tanya was completing her training certifications, I think I was the first to sign up for her first course in Australia in 2016.
What or who influences your teaching?
Quite a few renown humans influence my work! I would say information has been a huge influence. Information is always updating, so it is important to have credible and balanced information to ensure you are doing the right thing by your clients.
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?
I use Lamaze resources as a reference for childbirth topics and to support my adult learning courses.
Hilary Baxendale, LCCE, Certified Birth Doula, CLC
Where do you live? Westchester, New York
How many years have you been teaching? 6 years
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? My goal as an educator is to have birthing people leave my class feeling more confident about their role as the ultimate decision maker in the birth room.
Keep reading about Hilary.
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education?
When I became pregnant with my first son in New York City, I stuck with the GYN I had been using for years and happily went along with all of her suggestions; including her opinion that I didn't need a CBE class because "the nurses would tell me what to do" and an induction because I must be "so done" being pregnant at almost 41 weeks. In the end, I had a vaginal delivery and a healthy baby, so why didn't I feel satisfied with my experience? I realized that I never once questioned my very medically managed birth and didn't know what to say even if I had wanted to. I then set out to inform myself more on the birth process and maybe even more importantly, on what evidenced based care really was and how to advocate for it.
What or who influences your teaching?
Humor! I know some people are not excited about taking time out of their already busy pre-baby schedules to slow down and take a CBE class, but with a fast paced and interactive class combined with a good dose of humor, almost everyone is surprised at how "time flies"!
How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?
Lamaze has some really amazing handouts that are available to its educators that I've used to supplement what I'm teaching in the classroom. I know the visual learners in class (and forgetful ones) really appreciate the take-home information.
Dawna Insua, CBE, Doula, BA (Birth Assistant), CLC, LCCE
Where do you live? Cooper City, Florida, USA
How many years have you been teaching? 6+
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? Extending my reach. I want to be available for all families, in all circumstances to help empower, educate, and provide the best resources for them so they can make the best decisions surrounding the birth of their child/children allowing them to enjoy their pregnancy/birth/postpartum experience.
Keep reading about Dawna.
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? I started my journey supporting growing families as a birth doula. Very quickly I realized the gap between the expecting family and the healthcare system. I noticed mostly fear-based information is given to families to prepare them for what to expect as far as policies and procedures in the birth place, and very little on how their bodies and babies work together and even less on natural resources for natural labor and birth.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I chose Lamaze after researching information for a client and finding great resources on the Lamaze site. I already knew the accreditation Lamaze holds, and thought it would be more beneficial to be a direct part of the Lamaze team.
How, where, and what do you teach? I have developed my own outline for classes based on the vast experience I have gained attending births and supporting new families. I teach private classes and group classes to expecting families along with some postpartum care classes. I have traveled and volunteered in Haiti. I have mentored other doulas in the area and open my classes to them for observation and participation when they are accompanied by an expecting family. I have been invited to teach in a hospital setting to L&D Nursing Staff and plan to use my LCCE to take part in that journey soon.
Eftychia Topouzi, LCCE
Where do you live? Athens, Greece
How many years have you been teaching? 5
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? To support and educate families by providing evidence-based information, so as to make informed choices and experience the birth of their child with self-confidence, respect, calmness, love and connection.
Keep reading about Eftychia.
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? My initial journey started when I shifted careers from Marketing & Communications to Perinatal Care, by becoming a doula. Childbirth Education came right after when I felt the need to provide families with all the necessary information and support that I needed when pregnant.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I chose to become a LCCE because Lamaze totally represents my values and beliefs, both as a professional and an individual.
What or who influences your teaching? The philosophy of "learning throughout life" and the fact that I join mothers at the point where they allow me to "meet" them, with empathy and respect.
Jessica Deeb, MS, RN, WHNP-BC, IBCLC, LCCE
Where do you live? I just moved to Bethlehem, NY, having lived in Manhattan for the last 10 years.
How many years have you been teaching? 8
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? To be a life long learner. There is so much more to know!
Keep reading about Jessica.
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? As a bedside nurse, one of my most favorite parts of postpartum care was educating families during their hospital stay. In 2010 I began volunteer teaching at a pregnancy center and shortly thereafter, Eileen DiFrisco (former Lamaze International President) approached me about teaching at NYU Langone Health and becoming Lamaze certified. Having just given birth to my first baby, I realized the value of childbirth education.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? Pursuing Lamaze certification was an easy decision. Their philosophy matched my own. It was extremely useful to be able to center my teaching around Lamaze.
What or who influences your teaching? Families are the constant driver of my teaching. Their needs are constantly changing.
Robin Gibson-Douthit, CD (DONA), CLC, MA, LCCE
Where do you live? New York City (born and raised)
How many years have you been teaching? 7
What is your goal as a childbirth educator? To share The Simple Story of Birth in order to replace my students' fears and anxieties about the birthing experience with solid information and advocacy skills... to make them excited about what's ahead instead of being terrified (being afraid is such an awful way to meet one's birthing experience!).
Keep reading about Robin.
What was your journey to a career in childbirth education? I was a doula for a few years and realized my birth clients (particularly those who did not take a childbirth preparation class) needed to know more about what can happen during labor in order to feel more prepared for the experience. That's when I signed up for the Lamaze seminar.
Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)? I loved the fact that Lamaze is a comprehensive program based on six healthy practices for the best birth outcomes and I appreciated the depth and simplicity of those six recommendations.
How could you suggest other members receive maximum value from Lamaze? My strongest recommendation is for members to read the Journal of Perinatal Education, join the members' Facebook group for great teaching ideas, attend the Lamaze conferences when you can, and stay up to date with the webinars. If you are on the teacher certification track, I especially recommend finding a Lamaze certified instructor to mentor you beyond passing the Lamaze exam and into your first teaching gig!
When you're not teaching, what do you enjoy doing? Reading!! I'm an avid reader, I usually have 2 or 3 books that I'm reading around the same time, and one of them is usually about birth! And of course, spending time with my family is precious!