What did students who have taken the Childbirth International course think about the physiology topics?

"I enjoyed the knowledge and detail given in the book. I am not really a statistic person, but I appreciated and was surprised with some of the statistics given. The physiology gave me a foundation of knowledge in this field I needed to be internally more confident in understanding the process of childbirth." - Liza, QLD, Australia

"I really enjoyed studying the sections on Management of Labor and Routine Procedures During Labor. I found the layout very informative and easy to understand. I particularly enjoyed the section on perception of pain, as it is something that I really struggled with in the years before I gave birth, and then during my actual labor. If I knew about this material before I gave birth, I think I would have handled my labor completely differently. The way the routine procedures were described were also very easy to understand and have already proved useful in explaining things to my clients." - Alexandra, Thailand

"I cannot pick a single thing that I liked most. I found the topics to be very interesting and challenging. I really appreciated the video on the pelvis. That was very helpful." - Aja, Nevada

"Oh my - I love this topic! I find it all so interesting and have been reading and studying it for the last 13 years. I liked the manual in that it caused me to look a little deeper into some things, like cardinal movements. I also liked learning about rotational positioning." - Vicki, Minnesota

"I enjoyed the depth of knowledge presented on each topic and the videos, on-line pictures, and illustrations. I appreciated the efforts that went into offering a simplified explanation for the more complicated medical processes when needed. But what I enjoyed most was the care taken to present the information without bias." - Mairead, Singapore

"Just the raw knowledge I gained. I could have NEVER learned all this by taking a weekend course!! The amount of information is so vast & broad. I feel like I took a nursing course! I feel knowledgeable & powerful! Thanks!" - Kelly, Virginia

"There is so much in this book, I find it hard to pick one topic. I most liked the topic on pain in labor. Understanding what causes pain, and what we can do to help clients deal with pain was a real learning aspect for me. I like that this topic was given on the cause of pain in labor, and that it also backed up ways of helping clients to deal with pain in labor." - Christie, Maryland

"It was great to learn more of the techniques and terminology in the pregnancy and birth process so I don't feel clueless in front of my clients. It provided a great resource to go for some quick look-ups... also I think it will provide me better skills when speaking with medical professionals." - Rebecca, Tennessee

"I enjoyed everything on this topic. From pregnancy all the way to birth and the postpartum period. I read about things that I already knew and things that I didn't. I also feel that the section on Health and Diet was interesting, not only when dealing with pregnancy, but also just in general. I'm always looking to better my health and my family's health and I felt that this topic was very insightful." - Shanelle, Texas

"I really enjoyed learning more about VBAC's. I just attended my first VBAC birth, and this unit really was helpful in my preparation for that birth. I also find that I am asked most about VBAC's by family and friends. So having more of a knowledge base behind me helps my confidence." - Taryn, California

"I highly enjoyed reading and learning as much as I could during this unit. It was well written, very detailed and easy to understand. I didn't think I would be able to get through this unit so easily, but I found it very fascinating to read." - Melissa, Ohio

"I enjoyed all of it. It was so interesting! Just when you think you know everything there is to know, you learn something new! I couldn't get enough of these manuals. Very informative." - Jennifer, California

"I enjoyed the fact that there were many references and web pages to go to. I also liked this section because it taught me the scientific, rational explanation for things like coping with pain. It all makes perfect sense. I liked the historical anecdotes to names and methods." - Sandra, France

"This was a great topic to study. I was amazed again and again by the information packed into these lessons. I have done a lot of reading and research throughout my pregnancies and postpartum periods, but I still learned so much through reading and being tested on the materials provided here. It really helps to have a knowledge of the physiology of pregnancy, birth and beyond. I know that by having this information I will be able to provide my clients with more information and help them to feel more confident and relaxed. To narrow down what I enjoyed most about this topic would be impossible. There was so much to learn and so much that I enjoyed." - Rebecca, New York

"I loved this whole section, it is incredibly informative, amazingly unbiased, and full of great resources and links. My favorite part was actually the last summary task. It helped me to reflect on how I can help my clients be assertive and still remain polite." - Corine, California

"I really enjoyed learning about how the body processes and deals with pain. While I had read about it previously, it was fascinating to see it presented in a way that dealt directly with how it pertains to a laboring mother. I also really enjoyed the statistics about inductions, cesarean rates, and managed care. Looking at solid numbers really drives home how interventions continue to spiral and multiply when a birth is under managed care." - Helen, Missouri

"I love to learn and I like to be challenged. Studying the physiology section satisfied both those desires. Coming into this I knew that I wanted to become a doula, but it wasn't until I started studying that I realized how much there was to learn. The physiology section was a great way to teach and to inform me of things that would encounter in assisting a woman through the pregnancy, birth and delivery." - Sharon, New York

"What did I NOT enjoy! I loved everything about this topic but what I really enjoyed reading about was how a woman's body was designed to birth a baby and how different hormones assist in labor & delivery. I found it interesting that there were benefits to releasing stress hormones during labor and that it helped with bonding and assisted the baby to breathe after birth. It made me realize just how complex a female's body really is and I'm amazed at what it is capable of." - Kim, California

"I found it all very interesting to read through. I felt very enlightened after reading about labor management. I thought I knew quite a lot about labor and birth, but reading about active and expectant management was very educational for me. So I think I would say I enjoyed that part the most." - Ina, Denmark

"The Physiology portion of the course was really great! I learned so much!! I really enjoyed learning about Pain in Labor. I find it really interesting how we all perceive pain differently. I especially liked learning about different techniques to help women cope with pain during labor." - Krystal, Ontario, Canada

"It's difficult to pin point one particular thing because I find it all so fascinating! I think I found the physiology of pregnancy really interesting, particularly the huge changes that the mother's body goes through. I also really enjoyed the physiology of labor section, especially learning more about the feedback loop between mum and baby. I found myself in awe and wonderment coming to understand that our bodies work the way they do! I also really enjoyed the easy access to information and felt inspired to research further into most topics because of that." - Gabrielle, New Zealand

"I think that the explanations provided for most of the physiological processes were very clear and well-organized. One example I can think of is the section describing physiological jaundice vs. pathological jaundice. I am an RN and although I already knew the differences between those two conditions I almost felt like I was learning it in a newer, clearer way. I feel that the way the sections were written could enable me to explain to others these processes with less difficulty than had I learned them from a medical textbook. I also enjoyed having so many handouts and videos/slideshows available while going through the manual. They were extremely helpful in emphasizing the main points of the lessons." - Andrea, Connecticut

"I loved the way the subjects were chunked down to smaller, manageable lots. I have previously studied anatomy and physiology and found it completely overwhelming... to the point I nearly didn't enroll for this course. But well done, you have really nailed it." - Joanne, NSW, Australia

"I am grateful for the evidence-based focus of this module. It was also made very accessible for non-science type people!" - Amy, Ohio

"The whole journey was great. I've been assisting with babies for 19 years and I was humbled and amazed by how much I didn't know! I also appreciated the honest, but not hostile, presentation of standard procedures in most hospital settings, and, as always, the further readings and resource/research notes." - Susie, California

"Since I have been working as a labor and delivery nurse for the past 5 years, I found it enjoyable that I was able to relate to all of the subjects covered in this topic. Studying this topic allowed me an even greater understanding of my current knowledge base. There were many new things I learned too, which I enjoyed." - Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

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