Course Requirements

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The Course is a two year, part-time, distance education program.  It is divided into a number of modules for completion by correspondence and includes attendance at two workshops, scheduled for capital cities according to demand. Candidates may apply to begin the Course at any time and progression through the Course is set out in an orderly fashion, with given deadlines for the completion of each module.

All units of the Study Program must be completed before attendance at the Six Day workshop.

Application

An application form can be found at the back of this brochure. This should be completed in full, and forwarded with the additional material required and the application fee to the Graduate Diploma Course Co-ordinator.

The Course Handbook and the Study Program Units will be forwarded when the application has been processed.

Candidates can enrol at any time. However, the closing date for each year's intake is 31 January, to allow enough time for completion of the Self Study Program before the Six-day Workshop in the November of each year. Once enrolled, candidates are required to meet the deadlines for submission of Course work and the payment of fees.

Candidates will need a computer linked to the Internet in order to access on-line study materials, as well as an Email address to reach the Graduate Diploma mailing list and to assist with regular communication with the Course Coordinator and teaching staff.

Introductory Workshop

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This workshop, on the theme of "active birth", must be attended before the Six Day Workshop.

Purpose

A review of the physiology of normal childbirth; an introduction to the scope of childbirth education; orientation to the role of the childbirth educator.

• Physiology of normal labour.
• Mechanics of the pelvis.
• Teaching strategies for pre-natal classes on anatomy and physiology.
• Practical self-help measures for labour management.
• Ways of changing current hospital management systems.
• The role of the childbirth educator in initiating change.

Learner Outcomes

• Identify and describe the hormonal basis of the physiology of normal labour.
• Examine teaching strategies for increasing the confidence of expectant parents.
• Practice a variety of self-help measures for labour management.
• Identify mechanisms for creating change in hospital management systems.

The Self Study Program

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The Self Study Program is divided into five units relating to Anatomy and Physiology, Pregnancy, Post Natal, Maternity Care and Teaching Adults. It takes approximately 420 hours (12 - 15 hours per week) to complete and must be submitted for assessment no later than one month before the Six Day Workshop. The Units are submitted progressively to ensure the entire Self Study Program is completed by the deadline.

Purpose

This Module develops the student's existing knowledge to the level necessary for the presentation of accurate, factual and scientifically valid information for expectant parents attending pre-natal classes. Students are required to assemble, analyse, organise and critically appraise research material and demonstrate specialised knowledge.

This Module consists of five units of study:

Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive organs
• Physiology of the menstrual cycle
• Physiology of pregnancy
• Anatomy and physiology of the fetus

Unit 2: Pregnancy

• Dietary guidelines for pregnancy
• Discomforts during pregnancy
• Exercise during and after pregnancy
• Sexuality and pregnancy

Unit 3: Post Natal

• Newborn care
• Breastfeeding
• Maternal issues

Unit 4: Maternity Care

• Pregnancy
• Labour
• Birth

Unit 5: Teaching Adults

• Principles of Adult learning.
• Preparation of teaching aims, objectives and learner outcomes.

Learner Outcomes

• Using a wide range of reference materials, submit the completed Self Study Program and demonstrate a satisfactory standard of knowledge in each unit.
• Demonstrate a thorough background of knowledge that is based on scientific research.
• Complete the diagrams as required.
• Provide a bibliography of all references used.

The Six-day Workshop

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Once the Self Study Program has been completed, attendance at the Six Day Workshop can be undertaken. This workshop is scheduled to run from Wednesday to Wednesday, with the weekend free in between. Each day of the workshop runs from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

This workshop is held once per year in Sydney, and other capital cities in Australia, according to demand. It is held in the United Kingdom according to demand.

The workshop fee must be paid prior to attendance. Late payments will result in your exclusion from the workshop until all outstanding fees have been paid.

Purpose

An experiential learning workshop, designed to develop skills in group leadership, teaching strategies and program planning.

• Scope and role of the childbirth educator.
• Teaching strategies for prenatal class topics.
• Working with groups.
• Informed choice.
• Designing prenatal programs.
• Using teaching aids.
• Pregnancy exercise.

Learner Outcomes

• Identify and describe the scope and role of the childbirth educator.
• Describe suitable presentation methods for prenatal class topics.
• Demonstrate skills in facilitating adult learning groups.
• Describe the concept of an informed choice.
• Identify and describe the steps to be taken in planning prenatal classes.
• Describe factors that influence choice and use of teaching aids.

The Examination

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The written examination is designed to assess readiness for teaching by evaluating candidates' knowledge base, presentation ideas and teaching strategies. The examination is usually scheduled four to six weeks after the Six Day Workshop. It consists of two 2.5 hour papers, supervised in the candidate's home town, by an invigilator of the candidate's choice.

Purpose

• To assess the readiness of the student for teaching classes through a combination of essay and short answer type questions.
• Demonstrate a readiness for leading prenatal classes.

Learner Outcomes

• Demonstrate a readiness for leading prenatal classes.

The Observation Phase

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Candidates are required to undertake a number of hours of observation in seven settings related to childbirth education and these can be completed at any time throughout the Course.

Purpose

To expose students to the realities of birth in various settings; to the role of a labour support person; and to community services that complement prenatal classes and which may be used by childbearing women.

There are seven specific observations to be made, briefly described here:

Observation 1: Introduction to hospital practices

• Maternity care in hospital settings.
• Roles and responsibilities of hospital staff.
• Policies and protocols of maternity units.

Observation 2: Prenatal classes

• Survey the classes available in the area/district.
• Observe a full series of classes.

Observation 3: Births

• Attend three births as a support person (not as an attending midwife), including at least one spontaneous vaginal birth.

Observation 4: Birth Centre and home birth

• Observation of a Birth Centre: its setting, policies and practices.
• Observations at a home birth.
• Role, responsibilities and experience of the health care professionals involved.
• Discussion with parents about their experiences of birth in these settings.

Observation 5: Lactation services

• Lactation services within the local community.
• Policies and procedures related to these services.
• Psychological, cultural and social barriers to breastfeeding.

Observation 6: Early Childhood Health Clinic

• Services available in the local community.
• Developmental tests carried out on new babies.
• The needs of new parents.

Observation 7: Women's health and support services

• Women's health and social support services in the local community.
• Policies and procedures relating to these services.
• Common problems experienced by women postnatally, especially in the area of sexual health.

Learner Outcomes

• Having made suitable arrangements to carry out the required observations, spend sufficient time in each setting to enable the completion of the required reports.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the services in the community that may be used by pregnant women and parents.
• Present information on the roles, responsibilities and experiences of the health care professionals involved in these services.
• Describe the role of the childbirth educator in these settings.

The Supervised Teaching Phase

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The Supervised Teaching phase of the Graduate Diploma Course is designed to assist candidates to develop their skills as educators in a supportive, practical setting. It must be commenced within six months of the Six-day Workshop. The candidates must establish his or her own prenatal classes or arrange to teach a full series of classes, under the supervision of an accredited Supervisor of the candidate's choice. The first series of classes taught by the candidate will be fully supervised as part of this Graduate Diploma Course.

Following satisfactory completion of the first series, a further three series must be taught before accreditation. It is anticipated that this phase of the Course will take about twelve months to complete.

Purpose

To enable the students to put their skills into practice under the supportive supervision of an experienced mentor.

This phase also provides the means of final assessment of the student, and is the pivotal point of the whole Course.

• Setting up classes.
• Preparing comprehensive lesson plans.
• Teaching a complete series of pre-natal classes, covering a full range of topics to be taught in the classes.
• Evaluating feedback and future planning.

Learner Outcomes

• Set up a series of pre-natal classes.
• Prepare a set of lesson plans.
• Teach a complete series of pre-natal classes under full supervision.
• Evaluate the feedback from the Supervisor and prepare to teach a further three series of classes.
• Teach a further three series of pre-natal classes.

Presentation Skills Unit

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Once the first series of classes in the Supervised Teaching phase has been completed, and before the third subsequent series of classes is finished, the candidate must complete a Unit on the theme of "presentation skills".

This phase of the Course offers students an opportunity to review their progress through the Course; to develop strategies for overcoming difficulties they may be experiencing with their teaching and to foster different ways of teaching.

Purpose

• Review the Course.
• Develop variety in presentation of classes.
• Undertake self-evaluation of teaching methods.
• Exploration of problem solving techniques.

Learner Outcomes

On completion of this Module, participants will be able to:

• Compare advantages and disadvantages of different teaching methods and learning resources.
• Explain the purpose and value of evaluation.