
Childbirth Education Module for Teachers: A Mixed-Methods Study
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can prospective teachers use their knowledge of childbirth to empower expectant parents and promote positive maternal and infant health outcomes in diverse community settings?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do cultural beliefs and societal values affect childbirth experiences and choices?
- What are the key physiological and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy, and how can prospective teachers support maternal well-being?
- How can prospective teachers effectively educate and support expectant parents in making informed decisions about labor, childbirth, and postnatal care?
- What strategies can be employed to manage pain and promote a positive childbirth experience?
- What role do prospective teachers play in promoting childbirth awareness and advocating for healthy maternal and infant outcomes in their communities?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Describe the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.
- Explain the role of antenatal care and maternal nutrition.
- Identify safe practices and lifestyle adjustments during pregnancy.
- Develop awareness to support healthy maternal well-being.
- Understand the stages and process of labour.
- Identify early signs of labour and birth preparedness.
- Discuss various childbirth options and comfort measures.
- Overcome fears and misconceptions related to labour pain.
- Demonstrate relaxation and breathing techniques used during labour.
- Understand the role of movement, position, and environment in pain relief.
- Identify emotional and social support measures during childbirth.
- Explain the importance of postnatal care and emotional well-being.
- Demonstrate awareness of breastfeeding practices.
- Identify signs of postpartum depression and coping strategies.
- Develop skills to support new mothers in the postpartum period.
- Prepare an informed birth plan and identify necessary resources.
- Recognize the impact of attitude, culture, and values in childbirth.
- Cultivate positivity and confidence about motherhood.
- Understand the educatorโs role in promoting childbirth awareness in society.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students'Myth vs. Reality: Childbirth Edition' - A Social Media Challenge
Students create short videos debunking common myths about childbirth, using scientific evidence and personal stories. This sparks discussion, reveals pre-existing knowledge (or misconceptions), and highlights the importance of evidence-based information.'The Expectation Spectrum': An Emotional Intelligence Exercise
Students anonymously share their expectations and fears about childbirth on a spectrum. This creates a safe space for vulnerability, emphasizes the diversity of experiences, and underscores the emotional and psychological aspects of pregnancy and childbirth.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Pregnancy Timeline: Physiological and Emotional Changes
Students will create a detailed timeline that maps out the physiological and emotional changes that occur during each trimester of pregnancy. This activity will help them understand the progression of pregnancy and the corresponding changes in a woman's body and emotions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visually appealing and informative timeline detailing the physiological and emotional changes during each trimester of pregnancy, accompanied by a reflective paragraph.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal: Describe the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.Antenatal Care (ANC) Brochure Design
Students will design an informative brochure on the importance of antenatal care (ANC). This brochure will target expectant parents and highlight the benefits of regular check-ups, screenings, and interventions during pregnancy.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA professionally designed brochure that highlights the importance of antenatal care and provides practical information for expectant parents.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal: Explain the role of antenatal care and maternal nutrition.Myth-Busting Guide to Pregnancy
Students will research and debunk common myths and misconceptions related to pregnancy. They will create a guide that provides evidence-based information to counter these myths and promote safe practices.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive myth-busting guide to pregnancy that dispels common misconceptions and promotes safe practices based on scientific evidence.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal: Identify safe practices and lifestyle adjustments during pregnancy.Maternal Well-being Support Plan
Students will develop a support plan to promote healthy maternal well-being. This plan will include strategies for addressing physical, emotional, and psychological needs during pregnancy.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed support plan for promoting maternal well-being, including strategies for addressing physical, emotional, and psychological needs during pregnancy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal: Develop awareness to support healthy maternal well-being.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioChildbirth Education Module - Pregnancy and Maternal Well-being Rubric
Content Knowledge and Accuracy
Demonstrates accurate and comprehensive understanding of physiological and emotional changes during pregnancy, antenatal care, nutrition, and safe practices.Physiological and Emotional Changes
Accuracy and depth of understanding of physiological and emotional changes during each trimester of pregnancy.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the physiological and emotional changes that occur during each trimester of pregnancy, incorporating relevant scientific research and acknowledging individual variations.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough and accurate understanding of the key physiological and emotional changes that occur during each trimester of pregnancy.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of some physiological and emotional changes during pregnancy, but may have gaps in knowledge or inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates a limited understanding of the physiological and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy, with significant gaps in knowledge and/or inaccuracies.
Antenatal Care and Nutrition
Understanding of the key components of antenatal care, including recommended screenings, vaccinations, check-up schedules and the importance of maternal nutrition.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates comprehensive knowledge of all key components of antenatal care and maternal nutrition, and explains the rationale behind each component with supporting evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a solid understanding of the key components of antenatal care and maternal nutrition, and can explain their benefits for both mother and fetus.
Developing
2 PointsShows a basic understanding of some components of antenatal care and maternal nutrition, but may lack detail or clarity in explanations.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates a limited or inaccurate understanding of antenatal care and maternal nutrition.
Safe Practices and Lifestyle Adjustments
Knowledge of the safe practices and lifestyle adjustments that expectant parents can make during pregnancy to promote healthy outcomes.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates deep insights into the interplay between lifestyle choices, safe practices and maternal health, including strategies for addressing individual needs and challenges.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies a range of safe practices and lifestyle adjustments and provides clear explanations of their importance for a healthy pregnancy.
Developing
2 PointsLists some safe practices and lifestyle adjustments, but may not fully explain their significance or application.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited awareness of safe practices and lifestyle adjustments during pregnancy.
Critical Thinking and Analysis
Ability to analyze information, debunk myths, and promote evidence-based practices related to pregnancy and maternal well-being.Myth-Busting
Effectiveness in identifying and debunking common myths and misconceptions about pregnancy, using scientific evidence.
Exemplary
4 PointsMasterfully identifies and thoroughly debunks common myths about pregnancy, providing compelling evidence from diverse sources and offering insightful alternative practices.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively identifies and debunks common myths about pregnancy, using evidence-based explanations.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some myths about pregnancy, but the debunking may lack strong evidence or clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify and debunk common myths about pregnancy or provides inaccurate information.
Evidence-Based Reasoning
Reliance on scientific evidence and credible sources to support claims and recommendations.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional use of evidence-based reasoning, synthesizing information from multiple credible sources and applying it effectively to support all claims and recommendations.
Proficient
3 PointsConsistently uses evidence-based reasoning and cites credible sources to support claims and recommendations.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to use evidence-based reasoning, but may rely on less credible sources or have inconsistencies in application.
Beginning
1 PointsShows little to no evidence of evidence-based reasoning or reliance on credible sources.
Application and Support
Ability to apply knowledge to develop supportive strategies and resources for expectant parents.Support Plan Development
Creation of a comprehensive and practical support plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of expectant mothers.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops an innovative and exceptionally comprehensive support plan, tailored to the unique challenges faced by expectant mothers, and incorporates strategies for self-care, stress management, and accessing professional support.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops a comprehensive support plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of expectant mothers, including strategies for self-care, stress management, and accessing professional support.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic support plan, but may lack detail or comprehensiveness in addressing the needs of expectant mothers.
Beginning
1 PointsDevelops an incomplete or ineffective support plan that fails to adequately address the needs of expectant mothers.
Clarity and Organization
Presentation of information and support strategies in a clear, organized, and accessible format.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information and support strategies in an exceptionally clear, engaging, and visually appealing format, tailored to the needs of expectant parents, and demonstrating outstanding attention to detail.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents information and support strategies in a clear, organized, and accessible format suitable for sharing with expectant parents.
Developing
2 PointsPresents information in a somewhat organized format, but may lack clarity or accessibility for expectant parents.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents information in a disorganized or confusing manner, making it difficult for expectant parents to understand and utilize.
Reflection and Growth
Demonstrates reflective thinking on how this knowledge can inform their approach as future teachers in supporting pregnant students or colleagues.Reflective Insight
Depth and thoughtfulness of the reflection on the application of the module content to their future role as educators.
Exemplary
4 PointsOffers profound and insightful reflections on how the knowledge gained will shape their approach as future educators, demonstrating a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for pregnant students and colleagues.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thoughtful reflection on how this knowledge can inform their approach as future teachers in supporting pregnant students or colleagues.
Developing
2 PointsShows some reflection on the application of the module content, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates little to no reflection on how this knowledge can inform their approach as future teachers.