Q: What's a typical workday like for you?

A: I am certified by the Academy of Childbirth Educators and I teach childbirth education to expectant parents in the evenings and on weekends. They attend these preparation classes between 28th and 30th weeks of pregnancy.

Q: How does your role fit into the bigger health care picture?

A: When women come to class, they don't really understand childbirth. I can help them be as healthy as they can and answer their questions so they can have a more realistic idea of what to expect. Childbirth is one of the most memorable experiences parents will ever have. We want it to be a positive experience. I can help give them confidence to choose what's right for them. It's really serving the community.

Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

A: I interact with my nurses, fellow educators, managers, directors, physicians, neonatal nurse practitioners, support services staff and our patients.

Q: Why did you become a family birth educator?

A: As a labor nurse and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit nurse, I always found myself wishing the mothers had more accurate information about childbirth. I try to keep current and attend conferences to gain more knowledge to better support my patients. They need options to choose from so they are able to better cope with the labor process.

Q: What do you like about your work?

A: Everything. It's such a variety: helping colleagues and families through tough times and happy times; being able to witness women come into class wondering if they can cope with the pain to walking out of class with the confidence that they can. I am putting tools in their toolbox that they can pull out when they get to labor and delivery. It is very gratifying.