The class that wouldn't speak...

I have been teaching childbirth education classes for a about a year and a half.  At the beginning of each series there is always a hint of nervousness-most of my anxieties dissipate the moment the pregnant couples start to walk in the room.  Once we get through the introductions everyone is at ease, comfortable. The dialogue begins, questions are asked, group activities commence.  

From time to time I find myself in a class setting where dialogue doesn't begin, questions are not asked and the group activities are done with reluctance.  I recently agreed to teach a few classes for a local non-profit.  The director of the organization received a generous grant to start a doula program.  They have had great success with this program and have been able to provide doula care for a particular population of women for free. They asked me to come in to teach a weekly childbirth education class which I accepted with great enthusiasm. I was looking forward to working with this demographic of women and could not wait to get started.  Thus far there have been a few challenges; I am used to teaching a class where women are usually in their third trimester-in my last class I had one woman due the following day and another woman who just found out she was pregnant. However, the biggest challenge thus far has been lack of participation.  I have experienced a less than enthusiastic class in the past but I have never experienced this level of-I am not sure what to call it-hesitation.  I have tried all sorts of tricks and maneuvers; nothing I have done has been successful in breaching the barrier.  I spoke to a few of the doulas that work in the program and they have assured me they have encountered the same situation.

I know and have learned that people learn and take in information differently.  I know that what I am experiencing is not necessarily a reflection of my teaching abilities.  I know that not every class is going to be ideal but I can't help but wonder if there is something I could do differently (this is an on-going class), a trick I have not yet discovered or if this is a lesson for me in acceptance-in understanding that sometimes-even in a class environment-silence is golden? 

I am interested in what other childbirth educators have experienced, what they have found that works and what does not? Whether you are a novice educator or a seasoned pro-please share your thoughts...Thank you!