International Journal of Childbirth Education

The Editor’s Perspective
Mothering
and Childbirth Education
The theme of “mothering” could actually span several issues of the International
Journal of Childbirth Education – for what aspect(s) of mothering do
childbirth educators impact? The prebirth mother? The birthing mother? The
postpartum mother?
With approximately only 33% of the expectant mothers in the U.S. attending
childbirth education classes, the answer to the above questions might
be: “childbirth educators impact mothers only slightly.” Likewise, a national
(U.S.) cesarean rate of 31.8% and a breastfeeding initiation rate of less than
85% (with only 11.9% exclusively breastfeeding at six months), it appears that
we need childbirth education even more now than ever! Classes? Yes, but also
presenting the information to expectant mothers in the way they learn today ~
blogs, e-newsletters, Twitter, and even
Brief Writer’s Guides
Submitted (electronic is preferred)
articles (minimum 500 words) should
express an opinion, share a teaching
technique or research, or describe an
experience. References are usually not
required because the writing is solely
from the author’s opinions or experience.
Accompanying photographs of the
people and activities involved will be
published only with accompanying
Photo Permission Form.
The title page should include:
• Title and author’s name
• Academic and professional degrees,
institutional affiliations, and status
• Mailing address, phone and fax
numbers, and e-mail address
Writers are asked to include a photograph,
a two- to three-sentence
biography, and a 50-100 word abstract
of the article.
If bibliography is attached, please use
Chicago Manual of Style.
Have a question? Email me at
clivingston@birthsource.com
Connie Livingston
Facebook!
A childbirth educator recently said to me, “But the mountain
is so high! What can I, just one educator, do to make a difference?”
My reply to her was “Be inspired and inspire!”
Be inspired!
Attend the 2009 ICEA Convention and be inspired by the
hundreds of other childbirth educators! Where else can you go
into a crowd of 400 and not have to explain what you do? Share
ideas, learn new techniques, discover evidence-based information
and reach for the Standard of Excellence that is uniquely ICEA.
Perhaps you will befriend another educator who has innovative
teaching techniques, teaches different classes or writes frequently
in her blog. Begin a conversation how you can bring something
dramatically different back to your community…
Then, inspire!
With this renewed sense of dedication, energy and revitalized
spirit, inspire not only the expectant families in your community,
but also your colleagues! Ignite enthusiasm by having a film showing
at a local coffeehouse, start a blog (they are free) or teach a
topic from a new and exciting perspective.
Remember, it only takes one match to light a fire.
Let’s light a fire under our profession!
Be the change you want to see happen in birth!
Connie Livingston
Managing Editor
clivingston@birthsource.com
| International Journal of Childbirth Education | Volume 24 Number 2 June 2009