A doula serves many roles to a laboring person, from coach to cheerleader to massage therapist. Their mission? To make sure you have the birth experience you want. That said, it’s essential to find someone you click with—which means a face-to-face interview is essential. Asking friends, family and your ob-gyn for recommendations is a great place to start. On the website of the Doula Organization of North America, you can use the “Find a Doula” tool to look for a doula in your area.
It can be hard to get a job as a childbirth educator, but if you’re ready for the interview, you’ll stand out from the others. You will learn everything you need to know in this complete guide to ace your childbirth educator interview and start your dream job.
What Does a Childbirth Educator Do?
Before we dive into the interview questions, let’s review the key responsibilities of a childbirth educator:
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Educate expectant parents on pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care through classes and one-on-one coaching.
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Provide information on birthing options and pain management techniques.
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Address concerns and questions about the birthing process.
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Teach techniques for breastfeeding, newborn care, and adjusting to parenthood.
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Act as a source of support and reassurance for expecting families,
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Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to align education strategies.
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Maintain current knowledge on latest childbirth research and best practices.
Why Do Interpersonal Skills Matter?
More than just technical knowledge, childbirth educators need strong interpersonal and communication abilities. Here’s why these soft skills are so crucial:
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Building rapport and trust with expecting parents.
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Providing empathy and emotional support during an anxiety-inducing time.
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Adapting teaching style to different learning needs and styles.
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Communicating complex information clearly and positively.
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Resolving conflicts or disagreements sensitively.
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Creating an open, inclusive environment for sharing experiences.
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Motivating and empowering families through education.
Top Interview Questions and Answers
Let’s get into the meat of this guide – the interview! Here are some of the most common childbirth educator interview questions along with examples of strong responses:
Q: Why do you want to be a childbirth educator?
A: I’m deeply passionate about supporting expectant mothers and families during their journey to parenthood. I want to empower them with knowledge and confidence to have the best birthing experience possible. Educating and reassuring new parents during this transformative time is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What is your teaching philosophy?
A: My teaching philosophy centers around building confidence through knowledge and support. I believe in creating an open, judgement-free environment where expecting parents feel comfortable sharing concerns and experiences. By adapting my teaching style to individuals’ needs, I can provide the tools and understanding necessary for them to feel prepared and at ease.
Q: How do you handle disagreements about childbirth best practices?
A: With empathy and facts. I listen carefully to the parent’s perspective first. Then I provide evidence-based information from reputable sources to reinforce best practices. If disagreements persist, I emphasize that the parent’s choice and comfort level are most important. My role is to inform and advise, not dictate decisions.
Q: What experience do you have handling sensitive topics like pregnancy loss?
A: I approach sensitive topics with great compassion. If a parent has experienced loss, I give space for them to share feelings and provide any needed support. Then I delicately integrate facts about grief and resources available. My aim is to educate while fostering an environment of understanding and healing.
Q: How do you stay updated on the latest childbirth research?
A: I regularly attend conferences and seminars focused on the latest childbirth practices and research. I also subscribe to OB/GYN publications and online medical journals. Participating in online forums with other childbirth professionals allows me to discuss emerging trends and studies as well.
Q: What teaching methods and resources do you find most effective?
A: A blend of approaches is ideal. I use visual aids like models and charts, videos, roleplaying exercises, and informative handouts. This caters to all learning styles. I also provide downloadable resources and my contact info for continued support outside of class. Engaging partners and support persons is key too.
Q: How do you personalize your teaching approach for each family?
A: Getting background on each expectant couple allows me to tailor my teaching. I assess their current knowledge, birthing preferences, concerns, and learning styles at the beginning. Then I adapt terminology, materials, and conversation to their needs. Checking in individually shows my commitment to personalized instruction.
Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of your classes?
A: I use student surveys, one-on-one feedback and post-class evaluations to gauge effectiveness. High student participation, engagement, and retention rates indicate successful classes. I also stay in touch after birth to see if the information proved useful during labor and delivery.
Q: Where do you see yourself in this role in 5 years?
A: In 5 years, I hope to be an educational leader, mentoring newer childbirth educators while continuing to teach. I aim to develop curriculums, contribute to research, and potentially move into supervisory or director roles. Most importantly, I want to maintain my passion for guiding and empowering new families.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
When given the opportunity, make sure to ask your own strategic questions to the interviewer. Here are some good options:
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How much flexibility is there in the curriculum to personalize classes?
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What opportunities are there for continuing education and professional development?
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How do you incorporate the latest childbirth research into your educational programs?
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What is the typical class size and diversity of students?
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Is there opportunity to collaborate with doctors, nurses and other perinatal professionals?
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What qualities make an ideal childbirth educator in your opinion?
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How is the educator role involved in the labor and delivery process?
How to Prepare for the Interview
These tips will ensure you are confident and ready to ace your childbirth educator interview:
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Research the facility, their classes, staff, and educational philosophy.
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Review your knowledge on pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and newborn care.
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Refresh your memory on teaching strategies and learning styles.
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Practice your responses out loud to common interview questions.
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Prepare stories of relevant experiences to illustrate skills.
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Dress professionally and express genuine enthusiasm for the role.
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Bring copies of your resume, certifications, and references.
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Arrive early to the interview location so you are relaxed and composed.
With passion for educating new parents, dedication to evidence-based information, and strong interpersonal abilities, you are primed for success as a childbirth educator. Use this guide to showcase your qualifications and land your dream job supporting families during their transition to parenthood. Best of luck in your upcoming interview!
Questions to ask yourself
After you’ve met with a candidate, take some time to write down a few immediate impressions. Here are some questions to ask yourself to get the process started:
- Do you think they paid attention to you during the interview?
- Did you feel comfortable with the,?
- Did they seem compassionate?
- Did they ask you any questions?
- Did they seem interested in what you wanted?
- Did they communicate well?
- Did they seem knowledgeable?
- Did they agree with what you thought about pregnancy, giving birth, and medical care?
- Did they answer all of your questions, or did you feel like you were rushed?
- Was it easy to make the appointment with them?
- Did you click with them?
Updated December 2017 save article
Questions to Ask A Doula
Once you have a list of candidates, start scheduling interviews. To make the best choice, know what you need: how much money do you have? What qualities do you look for most in a doula? Then, bring this list with you to your meeting to make sure you don’t forget to ask these important questions. Don’t be shy about jotting down a few notes. Finally, make sure to notice not simply what they say but how they say it.
- It would be helpful to know what kind of training you have and where you got your certification.
- Have you taken part in any continuing education programs?
- What is your philosophy about birth?
- How would you describe your doula style?
- Why did you become a doula?
- How do you most often support people in labor?
- How many births have you attended?
- Tell me about your fees and what comes with your doula package. What happens to my fee if I need an emergency C-section and no longer need labor support?
- Have you ever given birth? If so, did it make you want to become a doula? If so, why? Did you have a doula? What did you learn from your birth?
- Have you been to any births at the place where I’m giving birth? If so, what was your experience?
- Do you have any other clients whose due dates are close to mine?
- If you have a backup doula, may I meet them? How often do you use your backup doula?
- Do you make any visits before the birth?
- Do you provide any care or follow-up after giving birth? If so, does it cost extra?
- May I email, text or call you with questions?
- Do you have experience with birth complications?
- Have you been to births that turned into c-sections?
- Have you attended home births?
- When and how should I call you during labor? Is it okay if it’s in the middle of the night? Are you always available?
- Do you stay for the whole labor and birth, or do you leave after a certain amount of time?
- How do you work with the birth person’s partner?
- How do you work with a midwife or doctor?
- How do you support the laboring person?
- What coping techniques do you find most helpful?
- What are your tactics for pain?
- How do you feel about epidurals or any pain medication?
- How long do you stay after the birth?
- Do you have experience with breastfeeding instruction?
- Do you offer any additional services, such as placenta encapsulation?
- Could I read any reviews you might have? Do you have any references? If so, may I talk to them?
HOW TO GET HIRED ON LABOR & DELIVERY | new grad nurse interview questions + answers
What does a childbirth educator do?
Childbirth educators are aware of common medical practices in their community. Describe pregnancy and birth as a normal, healthy, continuous process. Outline four sequential stages of labor including physical and emotional changes associated with each stage. List three measures of physiologic progress in birth.
How do I become a childbirth educator?
Submit proof of lapsed certification with ICEA or another childbirth educator organization recognized by ICEA. Submit the ICEA examination application form. – This program is offered especially for those who do not have access to a face-to-face workshop. You can choose this option when you enroll in the Traditional Pathway.
Can a childbirth educator prepare parents for a stillbirth?
Childbirth educators cannot prepare parents for every possibility, but it is helpful to have a list of resources for parents. Some of these may be community resources. Some may be national or international organizations. 4. Stillbirth is the death of a baby at 20 weeks gestation or later. It can occur during the process of labor and birth.
What is a childbirth education program?
The program sets a common standard that improves the quality of teaching by individual childbirth educators, protects the consumer by ensuring minimum qualifications, and provides the basis for establishing childbirth education as a recognized profession.
