Experienced Childbirth Educator Certification

ICEA certified childbirth educators have verified that they have the necessary knowledge and experience to enable them to facilitate expectant parents' mental and physical preparation for pregnancy, labor, birth and parenthood. This program promotes the concept of the childbirth educator as an advocate of the natural process of childbirth and the right of the expectant parent to make informed choices based on the knowledge of alternatives. The experienced educator program is designed for childbirth educators with more than two years experience.

Steps to Certification

Candidates must first enroll in the program and become an ICEA member. The following must be completed within one year:

1. Verify a minimum of 25 months and 150 hours of teaching childbirth education classes, using forms provided by ICEA.
2. Complete five ICEA alternate contact hours as included in the study guides.
3. After steps 1&2 are completed, apply to take the certification examination.

Candidates will choose their own date and location to take the test (no less than 30 days prior to submitting your application) and find a proctor to administer the exam. Exam testing is also offered at ICEA's annual convention at a reduced fee.

Study Guides

While completing the prerequisites for the certification examination, candidates use the objectives contained in the study guides for self-paced, independent study. Each objective contains an overview, content outlines, key concepts, references, and required position statements and articles. (the study guides are mailed to you in the form of a CD/DISC upon enrolling in the certification program) Each section contains extensive objectives and are divided into the following ten subject areas:

• Part I - Family-Centered Maternity Care (FCMC) and the Role of the Childbirth Educator
• Part II - Anatomy&Physiology of Preconception, Conception and Pregnancy
• Part III - Nutrition for the Childbearing Year and Infant Feeding
• Part IV - Psychosocial/Emotional Changes in Pregnancy, Abuse Issues
• Part V - Labor and Birth
• Part VI - Labor Coping Skills
• Part VII - Obstetrical Tests and Procedures
• Part VIII - Cesarean Birth and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
• Part IX - Postpartum and the Newborn
• Part X - Teaching Skills

Estimated Costs for ICEA Certification

• ICEA Membership ($95/year)&Certification Program Enrollment ($150)
• Certification examination fee - $200

Recommended Readings For This Program Are:

• ICEA’s Guide to Pregnancy & Birth (2011)
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler, Durham, & Bolding (2010)
• Evidence and Skills for Normal Labour and Birth: A Guide for Midwives, by Walsh (2011)
• Maternity & Women's Health Care, by Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden (2011)
• The Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia, by Simkin & Ancheta (2011)
• Prepared Childbirth - The Educator's Guide, by Amis & Green (2007)
• Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding - by Smith (2009)
• Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, by Bennett (2010)

Forms And Guidelines