Advocating for normal birth with normal clothes.
Childbirth educators need to be aware that the clothes they wear when teaching classes send a nonverbal message to class participants. Regardless of who wears the clothing or what is worn, clothes send a message; thus, both the advantages and disadvantages related to clothing choice should be considered. Ultimately, the message should reflect the values of supporting normal birth. For childbirth educators who are allowed to choose their own apparel to wear in their classes, street clothes may be the benchmark for which to strive. This article discusses the many nonverbal messages that clothes convey and provides support for the choice of street clothes as the dress for the professional childbirth educator; thus, "normal clothes to promote normal birth."
Waller-Wise
Renece
R
RENECE WALLER-WISE is an LCCE educator living in Dothan, Alabama. She is also the secretary/treasurer and newsletter editor for the Alabama Section of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nursing.