The ICEA postnatal educator certification program allows the postnatal educator to design, implement, and evaluate educational programs that respond to the learning needs of families as they make the transition into parenthood (birth to one year). The ICEA postnatal educator certification program will allow no exceptions to policies or procedures.

If you are an ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator (ICCE)

ICCEs who enroll in the program must:

• Provide verification of twenty hours teaching postnatal classes within twenty-four months of applying to take the examination.
  

Postnatal topics taught in a childbirth preparation class may be used for these hours. Verification forms are included in the study guides.

If you are not currently certified by ICEA as a childbirth educator

Candidates enroll in the program and must:

• Verify twenty hours teaching postnatal classes within twenty-four months of applying to take the examination. Postnatal topics taught in a childbirth preparation class may be used for these hours.
  
• Have six hours of teaching postnatal classes evaluated by another educator
  
• Verify six ICEA approved contact hours.
  

ICEA sponsored alternate contact hours may be used to meet the contact hour requirement. Forms for verification of prerequisites are included in the study guides.

Study Modules

While completing the prerequisites for the certification examination, candidates use the modules contained in the study guides for self-paced, independent study. The modules contain extensive appendices and are divided into the following eight subject areas:

• Module I - Postpartum as a Process and the Role of the Postnatal Educator
  
• Module II - Physical Restoration
  
• Module III - Emotional Exploration of Pregnancy, Birth and Role Change
  
• Module IV - The Work of Attachment
  
• Module V - Assumption of the Care Taking Role
  
• Module VI - Parenting the Growing Baby: Development and Temperament
  
• Module VII - Redefinition of Relationships in the Family
  
• Module VIII - Childbearing Losses and the Developmental Work of Postpartum

Each module contains key concepts, overview, learner objectives and content outline, references, and required reading.

Required readings for this program are:

• Maternity and Women's Health Care, by Lowdermilk, Perry and Bobak (ND0408)
  
• The Scientist in the Crib: What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind, by Gopnic, Meltzoff, and Kuhl (EP2501)
  
• Touchpoints, by Brazelton (ID9310)
  
• When a Baby Dies, by Limbo and Wheeler (ND0167)
  
• Postpartum: The Making of a Family, by Todd (IC3001)

Recertification

Recertification requirements for ICEA certified postnatal educators are the same as for ICEA certified childbirth educators.

Recertification dates and requirements will not change for those ICCEs who certify in the postnatal educator certification program.