Why is learning about Cultural Safety important when teaching Antenatal?
By Mars Lord - Perinatal Academy Educator
Imagine you are getting ready to teach an Antenatal Class for soon-to-be parents about pregnancy and childbirth. You want to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and understood, right? That's where cultural inclusion comes in. It means recognising and respecting the different backgrounds, customs, and beliefs of the people you'll be teaching.
Cultural inclusion ensures that antenatal teachers are equipped to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Just like in the antenatal classes themselves, it's crucial for teachers to understand and appreciate the diversity of their students. By learning about different cultures and traditions, teachers can better connect with their students and make sure that everyone feels like they belong.
Cultural inclusion in teacher training helps ensure that important information reaches all expectant parents, regardless of their cultural background. Every community has its own unique practices and beliefs surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. For example, some cultures may have specific rituals or traditions related to prenatal care or labour. By incorporating cultural perspectives into their teaching, antenatal teachers can help bridge any gaps in understanding and ensure that all parents-to-be receive the support and guidance they need.
Having a cultural inclusion module in teacher training can lead to more effective communication and collaboration between teachers and their students. When teachers understand the cultural backgrounds of their students, they can tailor their teaching approaches to be more inclusive and culturally sensitive. This can foster trust and rapport between teachers and students, making it easier to address any concerns or questions that may arise during the course.
Cultural inclusion in teacher training can help address disparities in healthcare outcomes. Research has shown that certain communities may face barriers to accessing prenatal care or experience higher rates of pregnancy complications. By equipping antenatal teachers with the knowledge and skills to understand and support diverse cultural practices, teacher training programs can help reduce these disparities and improve outcomes for all parents and babies.
Celebrating cultural diversity in teacher training can enrich the learning experience for everyone involved. Just as in the antenatal classes themselves, teacher training programmes are an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together, share their experiences, and learn from one another. By embracing cultural inclusion, teacher training programmes can create a more dynamic and enriching learning environment that benefits both teachers and their future students.
Having a cultural inclusion module in a course training antenatal teachers is essential for creating inclusive and effective educational experiences. By understanding and celebrating the diversity of their students' backgrounds, antenatal teachers can create supportive learning environments where everyone feels valued and respected. This not only improves outcomes for expectant parents and their babies but also contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society as a whole.
Our Cultural inclusion module is delivered by the formidable Mars Lord (pictured). Mars is a sought-after speaker and trainer, and is widely recognised as a leading voice in the Black Maternal crisis. She has created Abuela Doulas, which provides doula training courses that focuses on empowering Black and Brown bodied women and people, while also welcoming participants from all backgrounds.
Additionally, Mars is the Founder of the BLA (Black Lives Abuela) Scholarship, which supports Black women who aspire to become doulas but face socio-economic disadvantages. Through this scholarship, Mars is helping to address the lack of diversity in the doula profession and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to pursue their passions.
Mars says “I'm excited to be offering training for The Perinatal Academy. They are truly invested in providing culturally safe training for their team, their students and the families that are served by them and I'm happy to be the one helping them”
For more information about our future courses click here and if you want to talk to us about taking your first step then book a discovery call as we would love to chat to you!