Become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
Are you passionate about birth? Would you like to make a difference by helping women and their partners through one of life’s most exciting, but challenging experiences?
Fulfill your dream of becoming a childbirth educator with a nationally and internationally-recognised qualification!
For 60 years, Lamaze International has been the leading provider of childbirth certification education programs that teach healthy birth practices and prepare educators to teach with skill and confidence. Certification by Lamaze International is the most respected and recognised credential in childbirth education worldwide.You want to choose a childbirth education program that will provide ongoing support, resources and access to continuing education to stay up-to-date. If you are passionate about helping families through this amazing journey, then Lamaze is here to help you through your journey as a childbirth educator – from the time you become certified and throughout this rewarding and transformational career.
Why Become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator?
There are other options, so why Lamaze? Becoming Lamaze certified means being connected to an international network of childbirth experts and fellow educators. It means that you’re willing to contribute to the field by sharing your experience and knowledge. It means bearing a title (LCCE) that new families and providers can trust.
As the only accredited childbirth educator certification, Lamaze certification prepares you to teach a curriculum based on evidence with skill and confidence.
The birthwell birthright Lamaze childbirth educator training program offers a uniquely adapted curriculum for Australian childbirth educators. This international-accredited training is delivered by program director, Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE who is the founder/director of birthwell birthright, co-founder of Lamaze Australia and President of Lamaze International.
What do Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators do?
Promote the childbearing experience as a normal, natural and healthy process that profoundly affects families.
Assist families to discover and use strategies that facilitate normal, natural, healthy pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting.
Help families to understand how interventions and complications influence the normal course of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting.
Provide information and support that encourages attachment between babies and their families.
Assist families to make informed decisions for childbearing.
Act as an advocate to promote normal, natural, healthy, fulfilling childbirth experiences for families.
Design, teach and evaluate a course in Lamaze preparation that increases one’s confidence and ability to give birth.
2023 Training Programs
LIVE ONLINE COURSE:
Dates: Friday – Sunday, October 20th – 22nd & Saturday – Sunday, October 28th & 29th, 2023
(5 x full days taught across two consecutive weekends)
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm each day (AEST)
Location: Your living room! This course will be held live via Zoom.
2024 Training Programs
In 2024, we are thrilled to be offering live, in-person training programs in Melbourne and Sydney We will also be offering a live, online course.
REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE!
To take advantage of our super early bird discount (15%), you must register for one of our 2024 courses by December 31st, 2023. All that is required is to complete our online registration form and pay the deposit fee ($400). The balance is not due until 30 days prior to the start of your chosen course and flexible payment plans are always available. Regular early bird discounts (10%) are available up to 60 days before the start of your chosen course.
MELBOURNE:
Wednesday February 21st – Sunday February 25th, 2024
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm each day
Location: South Caulfield (exact address to be provided upon registration)
SYDNEY:
Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, June 12th – 16th, 2024
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm each day
Location: Bustle Studios, Level 1, 457 Elizabeth St., Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
Please note: Entrance on Rutland St via the red door.
LIVE ONLINE COURSE:
Dates: Friday – Sunday, October 4th, 5th & 6th & Saturday – Sunday, October 12th & 13th, 2024
(5 x full days taught across two consecutive weekends)
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm each day (AEST)
Location: Your living room! This course will be held live via Zoom.
What some of our graduates have to say about the live, online educator training:
“Tanya is a beautifully kind and gracious Lamaze educator trainer. She is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and exudes enthusiasm and love for teaching people the art of becoming a Childbirth Educator. I have learnt a world of knowledge from her, and her approach to teaching really makes the learning fun and enjoyable. She is always easy to contact for questions, and her ongoing support up until, and even after the exam has been wonderful. Thank you for making this an enjoyable and wonderful learning experience Tanya.” ~ Bec Lennon, LCCE, NSW.
“Tanya is a fantastic tutor who creates easy to access, interactive classes where she breaks down the information in a way that everyone can understand. She is inclusive in her teaching, easy to approach, always happy to talk about topics you may wish to discuss and always open to answering any questions you may have, even if you are not actively in session. I cannot recommend Tanya any higher, I learned so much from her and continue to do so. I feel very grateful to have Tanya as my guide through my education journey and know that anyone who gets to learn in her classes is very lucky to have her.” ~ Aiya Sellers, LCCE, Artemis Birthing Services, NZ
“I completed the Lamaze Online Training course with Tanya in late 2021 and it has changed my life. Having never done any sort of online zoom courses I was initially quite nervous and unsure, but Tanya immediately brought a feeling of welcoming and warmth to the group. Tanya is one of the most knowledgeable, welcoming and kind people that you could meet. Her ability to engage, teach and encourage is palpable. I was able to learn so much and it gave me an opportunity to meet like-minded women who have become a strong support and guiding hand in my endeavours to begin my own business. When the course is finished, Tanya is still accessible and is keen to help you in any way she can. She truly cares. I highly recommend this course”. ~ Sharday Stirton, LCCE, NSW
Curious to learn more?
Check out our recent information session webinar!
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
Lamaze Learning Guide
The Lamaze Learning Guide is a self-study resource designed to help you develop the competencies of a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. It prepares you to teach the essential content for Lamaze classes and will continue to serve as an important reference for evidence-based information throughout your professional career. The Lamaze Learning Guide is considered essential reading. For more information, click here.
Lothian, J. & DeVries, C. (2017). Giving Birth with Confidence (3rd edition). New York, NY: De Capo Press.
Simkin, P., Whalley, J., Keppler, A., Durham, J.& Bolding, A. (2016 or 2018 edition). Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide (5th edition). New York, NY: De Capo Press.
Dempsey, R. (2016) Birth With Confidence: Savvy Choices for Normal Birth, Boat House Press
A comprehensive book on breastfeeding. Some suggestions can be found below;
La Leche League. (2010). Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League.
Mohrbacher, N. & Kendall-Tacket, K. (2010). Breastfeeding Made Simple. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
Newman, J. & Pitman, T. (2014). Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding. London, UK: Pinter & Martin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does the training cost?
Consider registering early to take advantage of our early bird discount!
Participants who register more than 60 days prior to the start of their chosen training course are eligible for a 10% early bird discount $2070 incl. GST.
Participants who register less than 60 days prior to the start of a training program will pay the full cost of the program which is $2,300 incl. GST
**Please refer to our training program brochure which details the additional costs of study materials and exam/certification fees from Lamaze International.
Q: Do I need to have any formal training or qualifications (e.g. midwifery, nursing or doula training) before doing this course?
No. There are no pre-requisites for this course, other than a passion for supporting birthing families through evidence-based education! Lamaze recognises that educators come from all walks of life and we welcome you regardless of your level of previous knowledge and experience.
Q: Am I a qualified childbirth educator after I finish the course?
You are able to start teaching classes as soon as you feel confident doing so, however you are unable to use the Lamaze educator seal, or promote your classes as “Lamaze” classes unless you have passed Lamaze International Certification exam.
Q: How long does it take to become certified?
We have found that most of our students feel confident to sit the exam within 9-12 months of completing the face-to-face training program.
Q: Once I am certified, do I need to re-certify in the future?
Yes, Lamaze International has exceptionally high standards, making our educators some of the most informed and up-to-date childbirth educators in the world. LCCEs need to re-certify every three years by demonstrating continued relevant professional development and study. LCCEs are not required to sit the exam again provided they maintain their continued professional development. To find out more about the re-certification process, please click here.
Q: What continuing education / professional development points are available?
The birthwell birthright Lamaze Childbirth Educator training seminar has been awarded the following professional development credits;
This activity is an Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Course and 39 CPD Points have been approved for midwives who complete this activity.
32.5 Lamaze Contact Hours may be earned for attending the entire activity and completing a participant evaluation.
28.06 R-CERPs and 0.5 L-CERPs recognized by IBLCE. IBLCE CERPs Recognition Number: LTP Number CLT108-12.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #15932 for 39.0 contact hours.
This program is recognised by ICEA for 32.5 contact hours. Partial credit is not awarded.
This program is the only childbirth educator training in Australia that has been endorsed by CAPEA – Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia.
We would love to hear from you! Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our training program.
Forty years of research and learning from women’s experience of normal, natural birth have provided evidence that has gradually but dramatically changed Lamaze from being a method for giving birth, to a philosophy that provides the foundation and direction for women as they prepare to give birth and become mothers. “Breathing” is no longer the hallmark of Lamaze.
The mission of Lamaze International is to advance safe and healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy. Our vision is “knowledgeable parents making informed decisions.”
Forming the foundation of the organisation are the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices. These evidence-based practices, adapted from the World Health Organisation, promote, protect and support natural, safe and healthy birth.
To learn more about the Lamaze approach to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Parenting please click here.
Today Lamaze affirms the normalcy of birth, acknowledges women’s inherent ability to birth their babies and promotes the Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices. The Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator promotes, supports and protects every woman’s right to give birth, confident in her own ability, free to find comfort in a wide variety of ways, and supported by her family and all members of the health care team.
