michellegoldaabc
TX - Texas Centering Consortium
Posts: 10 
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
My job role is: Staff
I am interested in Centering because: I love seeing villages come together. I love seeing new parents uplift each other and continue to do so beyond the immediate postpartum time.
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Post by michellegoldaabc on Jul 20, 2015 12:59:14 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
I have been a Centering Co-facilitator for 3+ years and I still have issues at times with quiet or shy groups.
I do use the activities suggested in the Facilitation Guide and those help at times. I also use other icebreaker activities at the earlier sessions to help bring the group together.
The main areas I need help with are discussing labor and then breastfeeding. There are some groups filled with what I call "academia types" where they are used to the traditional teacher teaching/student listening way of learning. By the time we get to labor, I am hoping that the group knows they are in charge and they lead the way. But there are groups filled with those academia types who insist and sometimes will say "No, you tell us about labor (or breastfeeding)."
What do you all do in those situations? How do you make those sessions more peer-led and not a classroom type setting?
I appreciate any feedback! And I am so happy for this forum!!
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joannastark
New Member
Centering provider since 2013 and the physician lead at an HMO in California
Posts: 2
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
My job role is: Healthcare Provider
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Post by joannastark on Jul 20, 2015 15:15:28 GMT -5
Hello,
I know exactly the challenge you are describing. What I have done in that situation is break them into small groups of 4-6 and give each group a different assignment to brainstorm which they will share with the whole group. Essentially, if they prefer the teacher-student format, I make them all the teachers and all the students. My co-facilitator and I are there to mediate and assist with "Corrections" as needed. I do this one early on - to teach back exercises, and I find now that even the shy groups get more accustomed to and comfortable with the Centering format. If you wanted to do the same thing with labor, you could assign questions to answer such as:
- When to call labor and delivery
- Ways to cope with pain at home
- When is it okay to get an epidural
I also find that Popcorn works well in this type of group. The questions are anonymous, so no one is in the position of feeling foolish for asking a "dumb" question. When no one in the group comes forward with an answer, I will say something like, "Do you know anyone who has ever had that experience? What happened in that situation?" Frequently someone will put forward an answer and it often stimulates more discussion.
Hope those ideas help.
Joanna
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michellegoldaabc
TX - Texas Centering Consortium
Posts: 10
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
My job role is: Staff
I am interested in Centering because: I love seeing villages come together. I love seeing new parents uplift each other and continue to do so beyond the immediate postpartum time.
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Post by michellegoldaabc on Jul 20, 2015 15:47:51 GMT -5
Great ideas! I love the idea of breaking them into smaller groups as that might help quiet people feel more comfortable with speaking in front of others.
Cynthia Wade told us about the popcorn idea at our training and I keep forgetting to use it! I will be trying that out soon.
Thank you.
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Post by ktmckee on Jul 21, 2015 18:17:20 GMT -5
what is popcorn?
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michellegoldaabc
TX - Texas Centering Consortium
Posts: 10
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
My job role is: Staff
I am interested in Centering because: I love seeing villages come together. I love seeing new parents uplift each other and continue to do so beyond the immediate postpartum time.
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Post by michellegoldaabc on Jul 22, 2015 9:58:54 GMT -5
The popcorn activity is when everyone writes a question or response to a prompt, then they crinkle up the paper into a ball and toss it into the middle of the circle. Then the facilitator gathers the paper and goes through them. It's a fun, anonymous way to get some more introverted people feel like their voice is being heard.
At least, that's what I gathered the popcorn activity is...if anyone has done it and it's different, please feel free to chime in!
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Post by John Craine on Jul 22, 2015 10:00:29 GMT -5
That is correct Michelle.
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Post by Claire Westdahl CNM MPH FACNM on Jul 23, 2015 9:38:16 GMT -5
More thoughts: The "popcorn" activity is a great way to "take the temperature of the group". There are no right or wrong answers...it is a way to determine what group members are "thinking, feeling or wondering". I always tell group members that what they write will not be associated with them (anonymity) so they can be "honest".
Often the responses can help the facilitators determine the focus or set the agenda for discussion. In terms of "prompts" here are some that work well. "When i think about labor I feel......." (complete the sentence).
"When I think about labor I wonder......" "When I think about breastfeeding I feel....." When I think about breastfeeding I wonder....."
When the responses are "crumbled" and thrown in the center (guys want a target), they are mixed up and picked up by the group members and read aloud. I tell people if you pick up your own answer don't announce it, no one will know it is yours. After the activity I keep the papers so I can review them and pick up issues I may have missed when they were read out loud. Of course, like all interactive activities the conversation after will be facilitated.... this is when you think on your feet. "so, many of you are worried about pain relief/comfort in labor... lets talk about that". This activity includes everyone equally so quiet members are as engaged as more active members.. Claire Westdahl
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jbwt77
OH - Ohio Centering Network
Posts: 37
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
I am interested in Centering because: I feel it is the best way to get pregnancy care! Especially seeing how teens are with the model!
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Post by jbwt77 on Sept 28, 2015 10:51:37 GMT -5
I may be late to the conversation, but I also think doing when the wind blows is a great activity and gets people up and moving as well  |
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Post by John Craine on Sept 30, 2015 18:02:10 GMT -5
It's never too late to share a good idea |
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