Term Paper on "Program Development"

Term Paper 7 pages (1895 words) Sources: 7

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Program Development

The program that I am interested in developing is a natural birth information class for patients and nurses at the hospital. The curriculum I will review for this portion of the paper is "The Bradley Method." This curriculum is currently used to educate expecting parents on proper prenatal care, birth, hospital procedures, and infant care.

The mission and philosophy of Bradley is informed consent and teaching natural childbirth methods. The course is framed into 12 modules. Each module covers a different topic about pregnancy, childbirth, or newborn care. According to the table of contents, the modules include exercise, nutrition, pregnancy, the coach's role, introduction to first stage labor, introduction to second stage labor, planning your birth, variations, unexpected situations, post-partum care, advanced first stage techniques, advanced second stage techniques, being a great coach, are you ready?, and preparing for your new family. Each module is divided into a title page with all the vocabulary words and then readings covering the listed topics. There are always sections to fill out and a quiz at the end of each chapter.

The desired outcomes for the course are to educate expecting parents on the importance of proper prenatal care and empower husbands to take an active role in the childbirth process. Students are evaluated with quizzes at the end of each chapter, a test at the end of the course, physical tests to verify proper exercise techniques are being followed, and then a follow-up questionnaire after the birth.

References

Hathaway, Marjie; et al. (2007). The Bradley Method Student Workbook. American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth.

The curriculum I selected was "The Bradley Method: Husband Coached Childbirth." This curriculum is geared primarily toward educating expectant parents. However, according to the Bradley Birth website, it is also valuable for nurses, midwives, and doulas. The program targets first time parents primarily, as the childbirth experience is so new for the couples and there is much valuable information that parents should know.

Evaluation From Table 13.3

The overall mission of the agency is informed consent and teaching natural childbirth methods. This information is very clear and available to consumers both on the website and in the student workbook. In fact, the introduction in the workbook goes into great detail about the importance of these two concepts and why they are at the core of the Bradley Method. The other emphasis of Bradley that seems to be taken for granted in modern times is the concept of husband-coached childbirth. According to the introduction, there was a time when husbands were not even permitted inside the birthing rooms, and this was why Bradley began and why all husbands receive a certification card showing they are trained as a coach. As reinforced in the book by Adrienne Lieberman, "Husbands are expected to go into the delivery room today, but in 1947 when Dr. Robert Bradley began encouraging their attendance at births, husband-coached childbirth was considered outlandish." (1992). The curriculum very closely follows the mission statement and philosophy of the group to the point that all modules clearly state how that module fits within the overall course goals and structure.

The purpose of the material flows directly and logically from the mission and vision. The goal in Bradley is to educate expectant parents, and that is exactly what the curriculum does. Even more than that, the curriculum has proven its connectivity through various academic articles that detail surveys, stories, and connections made from the curriculum to actual birth. According to a book by Richard Reed, "Bradley's prepared childbirth model offers a fundamental critique of the practice of hospital delivery. It argues against unnecessary medical intervention such as overmedication and forceps. Instead, of treating the pregnant patient as a broken machine, the model seeks to define pregnancy and birth as a normal process. As long as a woman's pregnancy, labor, and delivery follow the course defined by expected biological processes, she should be permitted to birth without the intrusion of science and technology." (2005).

The overall goal of the Bradley Method course very clearly states the need for the curriculum. Prior to Bradley's introduction of the method in the 1940's, husband's were constantly excluded from the hospital room and forced to remain in the lobby while their wives were drugged and tied to their beds using lamb's wool straps. Bradley challenged this status quo and has been utilized ever since. Modernly, there is an even greater need in the United States for the Bradley Method. As is clearly stated in the student workbook, the cesarean section rate has increased to over 30% in the United States due to overmedication and interventions in the birthing process. Bradley strives to educate families on the importance of avoiding unnecessary interventions and the benefits thereof.

With regard to the clarity of the overall goal, each chapter specifically states the goals and how it relates to the overall Bradley mission. For instance, in chapter three, which is the chapter on pregnancy, the first section of the course emphasizes that couples should learn the natural progressions of pregnancy and the feelings that go along with it because it begins teaching them how to work with their bodies. This statement directly correlates to the mission of natural childbirth, allowing the body to do what it does naturally.

The course's framework is specifically organized so that each section touches on another area of informed consent and natural childbirth. For example, the first two chapters on nutrition and exercise mention that these two factors are important to ensure a smooth pregnancy and avoid risk factors, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes that could result in a need for interventions during birth. The book even focuses a specific sub-section of each chapter to instructing husbands on their role with each goal. There is even one subsection devoted to reminding husbands to not take comments made during the birth process personally. This is a classic example of warning husbands of what is to come and preparing them. As stated in an article by Karin Martin, "We picture her screaming, yelling, self-centered and demanding drugs." It is these realities that Bradley seeks to inform and educate husbands about so that they can further encourage their wives to stay strong and avoid interventions.

Regarding program objectives, the overall flow of the program is in direct alignment with the goals and missions of the agency. In fact, it is so much so that the Institute for Husband Coached Childbirth expressly forbids the use of any outside material during the course. The reason, according to the institute, is that Bradley worked to expressly create a curriculum free of misinformation and misconceptions.

One thing that the Bradley curriculum accomplishes very well is assessing the student's understanding. Quizzes must be completed for every class and there is a large test at the end that covers all topics. In order for the students to pass the course and receive certification, they must score a 70% or better on this test. Even more, the teachers are responsible for collecting nutritional data and assessing exercise technique at each class to ensure the students are applying the principles. The goal of which is to prepare the couple entirely for a natural birth (Halfon 2010).

Among all the curriculums I researched, Bradley was by far the best at supporting its staff and teachers. On the Bradley Birth website, it makes it expressly clear that all teachers are certified and thoroughly trained. When reviewing the requirements to become at teacher, this was made even clearer. In order to become a teacher, a woman is required to have attended a Bradley class, had a natural birth, and breastfed her baby. Additionally, that candidate must have read multiple books and attended a training event. Finally, the candidates must pass an exam. So, Bradley takes great pains in verifying that all teachers are completely educated and informed of the methods and philosophies of the program.

There is not a dedicated budget within the Bradley course system. Instead, the Institute is a non-profit entity that charges for certification and supplies. Each instructor then sets their own price for the classes depending on the total expenses and expected turnout. The primary selling point that Bradley uses is the success stories, which are consistently and overwhelmingly powerful.

Curriculum Improvements

The first necessary change would be an update with the media features given to the teachers. The Bradley Method curriculum is an old method. While still applicable today, the videos and images are still black and white, from the 1970's. In fact, even the ultrasound images in the Student Workbook are using 1980's ultrasound technology. These outdated media techniques have caused great criticism in the birthing community with sources such as Brio actually taking the Bradley Method concepts and modernizing the material.

Bradley has begun to make some improvements. In 2007, "The Husband Coached Childbirth," the primary book for the curriculum was updated with new statistics, images, and even a new introduction. Some leeway is now being given to teachers… READ MORE

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