Education & Certification
IBWP certified childbirth educators teach in hospitals, birth centers, and in independent settings. Their goal is to provide a comprehensive consumer-based class that will enable women and their partners to prepare for a positive, safe and joyful birth experience. The ALACE Childbirth Educator training program as offered by IBWP was developed by midwives and is recognized for its holistic, women-centered approach. IBWP childbirth classes provide evidence based information about the birth process and provide the tools to empower women and their partners to make informed choices throughout pregnancy and birth. Childbirth Educator Training Manual – CBE- $795.00
Overview of CBE Program
Here is a quick overview of our Childbirth Education Training and Certification Program. This is a home study program that does not require attendance at a workshop. We offer a workshop, Empowering Women in the Childbearing Year, to enhance the self-study experience. Our next CEU (Continuing Education Units) workshop is scheduled for March 2011.
When you enroll in the program, you will receive a training manual in a three-ring binder that is over 650 pages long. It is broken up into eight sections or modules. In addition to reading the manual, each module has a required reading list and specific learning objectives. We encourage students to check their local libraries and wholesale bookstores for your reading materials before purchasing retail.
Each module includes learning activities and written assignments to be completed and mailed to the CBE Instructor/Mentor who will evaluate your work and return it to you with her feedback. As you work through the manual, you are entitled to unlimited email and telephone support from the instructor. There is also a yahoo study group set up (yahoogroups/ibwpchildbirthedgroup) where you can receive peer support.
Once you have completed the first six modules you will take an at-home, open-book exam. Upon successful completion of the final exam you are provisionally certified. You will begin teaching classes and will continue on to the eighth and final module, which is devoted to teaching techniques. The final certification requirements are to submit six positive evaluations from students you've taught, complete the module 8 written work and learning exercises, audit a childbirth class series, and complete the required reading list. On average, the time it takes most students 8-12 months to work through the program. Students are encouraged to maintain active membership and complete the program within two years, however, if you need more time, you may reactivate your status as a student and continue your training. The reactivation is $100.
The cost of the program is $795. This includes everything except the cost of the books. You are not required to own the books; feel free to buy them or borrow them from a library or perhaps another birth professional. But you may find yourself wanting to own several of them, both for your own reference and use, and for your clients. Many childbirth educators find it useful to offer a small lending library to their clients. You don't need any prior training in any field in order to become a childbirth educator with IBWP, however, basic computer knowledge and strong English communication skills are essential.
To purchase your ALACE/IBWP Childbirth Educator Training and Certification Program and join the many students who are on the path to become a certified CBE through a time-tested program that is valued by women, families, nurses, doctor’s and newborns around the world, click below. You will receive an immediate confirmation from pay pal. Then an email confirmation from our office and finally your complete program will be mailed and received within 5-10 days.
We encourage you to review the Table of Contents and Sample Curriculum below and feel free to contact us with any questions before making a purchase as all sales are final.
Click here for the CBE Training Manual Table of Contents and here for a sample of the curriculum.
Click here for the CBE Training and Certification Reading List.
CBE Payment Plan
We do have payment plans. The standard $795 program requires an initial deposit of $300 and 5 monthly payments of $105. This cost includes your ALACE/IBWP membership for one year at $50, your participation in the CBE training program with manual and personalized instruction at $745 and a $30 payment plan fee.
Here's how it goes, in short:
1) You express interest
2) We email a contract to you.
3) You sign and fax it back to us.
4) Then, you click on the pay pal button marked CBE deposit on this page.
5) Once your contract and payment are received, we will send you an email confirming your payment and outlining details about the shipment of your program.
From the point of receipt you will be an IBWP member and very soon a Certified Childbirth Educator!
How Monthly Invoicing Works
1) Your CBE Payment Plan deposit is received
2) Every month, a few days before the end of the month, we'll send you an invoice to remind you that your monthly CBE payment is now due.
3) You'll receive this email and click on the "pay now" button at the bottom of that email invoice. Then, enter your credit/debit card info to complete your payment.
4) Your payment will be received and confirmed by our office.
An important note; we strongly encourage students to be actively working on their program as they are making payments. Your timely payments are important however, it is equally important that you are committed to your work and making your way towards certification...We need more Certified Childbirth Educators in the Birth-Work field!
Again, thank you for choosing The ALACE CBE program offered by IBWP and we look forward to assisting you on your path to become an ALACE/IBWP Certified Childbirth Educator. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call us at 1.877.334.4297 or email
