Training organizer resources

Resources & information for training organizers

Hello, BWB training organizer. We know that time is a scarce resource for so many of us, so let us thank you in advance for your commitment to making a vaginal breech training happen in your community. We hope that this guide will be a helpful resource during the planning process.

Below you will find information that will help you understand your roles and responsibilities as a BWB organizer. But first we would like to outline our in-person training options.

Course offerings:

1. Full-day in-person hybrid breech training:

Dr. Freeze, Dr. Hayes, and Kristine Lauria have worked tirelessly to create Breech Pro 2.0, our online breech training course.

Hands-on training with our Sophie and Her Mum simulators is one of the cornerstones of our training, and putting the lectures online allows us to give students maximum hands-on time during the in-person training. Attendees meet with Dr. Freeze, Dr. Hayes, and/or Kristine Lauria, CPM for hands-on simulation, breech birth video analysis, and clinical scenarios.

The full day training gives attendees full access to Breech Pro 2.0 (or our translated equivalent) course for one year from the date their registration is processed. In addition, attendees will have access to our ongoing live sessions (2x/month in English, 1x/month in Spanish, plus recordings).

With this format we can train up to 16 people per day/per instructor. The training day runs from 8am-6pm.

2. Breech & Twins Master Class with Kristine Lauria:

This full day class taught by BWB's Global Midwifery Director, Kristine Lauria. It is an advanced education class that builds upon the material within Breech Pro 2.0. It is a full day of lecture with birth videos, images, and stories of Kristine's personal experiences in the field, which allow students to visualize and understand the complex teaching points.

This course is geared towards out-of-hospital birth providers and addresses breech and multiples at term. However, practitioners from any background may take the course and hospital management is discussed.

For more information visit the Master Class page.

Prerequisites: Current enrollment in Breech Pro 2.0 and attendance at an in-person BWB breech training within the previous 6 months.

This class does not have a size limit and is open to all who meet the prerequisites. The master class runs from 9am-5pm.

3. Breech & Twin Intensive (BTI) with Dr. Hayes:

BTI Course Day 1 (Lectures):

This training option is an 8 hour day of lectures with Dr. Hayes. Topics will include evidence on fetal monitoring, breech tips and tricks, types of twinning, and embryology. 

This option requires completion of Breech Pro 2.0 before the training day.

BTI Course Day 2 (Advanced simulations): This option will not be available after May 6, 2025

These 4-hour simulation sessions will be limited to 6 participants. Participants will practice upright and supine breech birth and twin skills using two Sophie and Her Mum simulators. 

Prerequisites: Current enrollment in Breech Pro 2.0 to attend the BTI lecture day. Attendance to the BTI lecture day is required to attend the BTI advanced simulations.

The BTI lecture day does not have a size limit and is open to all who meet the prerequisites. The day runs from 9am-6pm. 

The BTI advanced simulations has the prerequisite of attendance to the BTI lecture day. The simulation groups run from 9am-1pm & 2-6pm.

Organizer Responsibilities:

We understand the efforts that go into planning a training on both the organizer side and our side. While Jenn will happily be your support for any questions you may have during the process, there are a few key responsibilities that need to be agreed upon.

1. Promotion. This is one of the main responsibilities of our organizers. We ask that your efforts are not just focused within your circle of colleagues, but that all provider types are included ranging from local hospitals, birth centers, CNMs/CPMs, OBs.

2. Venue. There are more details below about the venue needs but we are now requiring a more professional and neutral space for our trainings. BWB has a budget for this and your responsibility lies in finding the appropriate space. We have found great success lately in event centers, hospital educations rooms, and co-working spaces.

3. Communication. Communication is key. We would like you to commit to responding to our correspondence within 3 business days. This may be about how registrations are going, issues that may arise with something within your communities, or on our end. Jenn is easily reachable via email and via WhatsApp.

4. Supplies: The local organizer will make sure they are able to receive the supplies (gloves and lube) and handouts that will be mailed to them ahead of the training.

5. Venue: The organizer will visit or call the venue prior to the training day to ensure that all AV equipment is available and in working order. The organizer should test all AV equipment to ensure it functions. If the organizer is unable to operate the equipment, they will source a designated tech assistant to ensure everything is set up and ready for the start of the training. During this visit, the organizer should also ensure they know how to get into the building on the training day (key, lockbox code, etc).

The organizer will also make sure that all room requirements (see below) have been met.

6. Training day. On each training day, the organizer will meet our instructors at the venue 30 minutes prior to start time. The organizer will make any last minute adjustments to the training space needed (chairs, projector, etc). The organizer will appoint someone to do this in their place if they are unable to be present.

7. Check-in. When attendees arrive, the organizer will:

1. check in each person (using a check-in app in most locations, and using a printed attendance list in some locations) and
2. verify that each attendee has a printout or screenshot of their certificate of completion for the required online portion of the training.

As above, the organizer will appoint someone else to do this in their place if they are unable to be present.

8. Translators. In some locations, the organizers will be responsible for finding a translator. This translator must have a solid knowledge of the terminology and if participating in the training, may be offered a free ticket. If not participating in the training, we can discuss financial compensation for the translator. 

In exchange for your efforts, BWB may be able to cover the cost of your training fee. Once we receive at least half of our minimum number of registrations, you will receive a 50% off coupon to register. Once the training day is done and all of the above agreed-to items have been completed, we will refund the remaining half of your registration.

We do allow our organizers to bring on a helper who can receive a 50% discount on their registration. This will be provided in the same format as the organizer discount. The first 25% before the training, the second 25% refunded post-training.

Please understand that the above items have been proven to be the keys to successful trainings. We cannot do this without our organizers; we appreciate you and your efforts!

Can alums come back for more hands-on practice?

Yes! We welcome those who have previously trained with us to join us again. The training content is consistently being updated.

• For those currently enrolled in Breech Pro 2.0, the in-person training options are offered at a reduced cost.
• For our Breech Pro alums whose enrollment has expired, they can upgrade/renew their access for $75; this renews access for 1 year.
• We invite our breech training alums to attend the Master Class and/or the BTI if prerequisites are met.

Choosing the training venue

Location, location, location. You know your community best. Here are some key pieces to keep in mind when determining the location of the training:

• The venue will need to meet all room requirements (see the visuals below). The breech training day is our only offering that must have two separate rooms (three rooms if there are 2 instructors).
• Ample parking
• Easily accessible restrooms
• Our breech training day and the BTI advanced simulations require 1 sturdy square or rectangular table per instructor for attaching our simulator as well as 2 smaller tables. A standard banquet table works well for supporting the simulator. Please avoid small foldable plastic banquet tables; they are not sturdy enough to support the simulators. 
• Available for a full 30 minutes before and after the scheduled training hours 
• Bonus points for a space that can be securely locked between days as this will reduce the amount of time spent on set-up and break-down of Sophie and Her Mum.

A great place to start is with your local hospital, as they often have educational spaces that are perfect for drawing in providers across the spectrum. We also recommend universities, event centers, and co-working spaces.

BWB will cover the costs associated with venue. Please discuss the options with Jenn to ensure the price is within the budget for your area.

We may need to extend the scheduled number of days to meet the demand. When you are inquiring about venues, we suggest asking if the spaces will be available for additional days. 

Where can I find flyers and other information?

Our website is full of information about our organization, our instructors, and our trainings. You will also find the current workshop schedule with links to the registration site which you can share with potential attendees. 

Organizers will be provided with the digital flyers to share.

Social media

You are invited to share any of our Instagram or Facebook page posts, along with a quick invitation to enroll in one of our trainings. This can be a great way to engage your audience and get them excited about breech. It also gives you new material to share every week. 

Who to contact and how to find them

Facebook is a great place to look for local care providers and organizations that would benefit from our hybrid option. Using the example of North Carolina, we recommend searching for and reaching out to the following:

• NC midwives
• NC obstetrics or obgyn
• NC midwifery association
• NC friends of midwives
• NC ACNM
• NC midwifery
• NC birth centers
• NC homebirth
• NC birth networks
• NC doula
• NC childbirth education
• NC schools of nursing
• NC medical schools
• NC EMS/paramedics

You can start by focusing on these categories within a one hour radius from the training location and expand from there. We also suggest using local email lists, contacting birth networks, dropping flyers off to OB and midwifery practices, contacting local nursing/medical/midwifery schools, etc. Be creative! 

Sample email script for the breech training day

Dear _______,

I am contacting you on behalf of Breech Without Borders, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to breech training and education. I wanted to let you know about a vaginal breech training that is coming to [city] on [date]. This hybrid training has three parts:

1. Access to Breech Pro 2.0: an online vaginal breech training course that includes CEs, CPDs, and CMEs (15 hours)

2. A full day of hands-on simulation training with a Sophie and Her Mum obstetrical simulator, plus breech birth video analysis and clinical scenarios. Continuing education credits offered in most locations (9 hours).

3. One year of ongoing mentorship via twice-monthly optional live sessions (recordings available)

The instructors of this training are Dr. Rixa Freeze, PhD, a breech researcher; Dr. David Hayes, an obstetrician with vaginal breech birth experience in both the US and overseas through Médecins Sans Frontières; and Kristine Lauria, CPM who works with Médecins Sans Frontières and has attended over 500 vaginal breech births. [Depending on each location, you can announce which of the instructors will be doing the in-person instruction.]

To register for the workshop: [insert link here--you will be provided with your location's specific link.]

For more information about Breech Without Borders and all of their course offerings: breechwithoutborders.org

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

[Name]

Volunteer for Breech Without Borders

How to keep up with ticket sales and registrations

Our ticketing platform, RegFox, allows you to keep track of ticket sales. You will receive an email from Breech Without Borders via Webconnex with an invitation to create a user account. This will allow you to not only monitor ticket sales, but also who in your community still needs to register.

Below is a visual of the following steps in this process:

• Open invitation email

• Create your user account

• Click on "RegFox"

• Click on your workshop's page to access the dashboard

• Click on the actual number of Registrants

• From here you will see the names and info of those who have purchased their tickets; please note that you will find the registrations of those who have opted to use our deposit option under "Payment Pending"

Are there scholarships available?

Yes! We at Breech Without Borders are committed to supporting breech education via scholarships. We set aside a portion of all training proceeds towards scholarships, funding two 25% scholarships or one 50% scholarship for every 5 full registrations.

Please encourage those who are interested in our scholarships to complete the application found here: Scholarship Application. 

It is important to note that scholarships are typically awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Late applicants will likely not be funded.

Talking points

• The training is not only a fantastic value, but it also spreads the education and training over the course of a full year. Our breech training package offers up to 23.5 ACNM CEs (reciprocity with MEAC, DONA, ICEA). 
• The Breech Pro 2.0 course will remain accessible for one year from the registration date and also includes monthly virtual meet-ups with the instructors, who will be available to answer your questions.
• ¼ to ⅓ of all breeches are undiagnosed when labor begins--even if you don't plan on attending breeches regularly (or cannot due to state regulations), you should be skilled in how to attend a surprise breech.
• The training is geared towards physicians and midwives, but EMTs, nurses, doulas, childbirth educators, and parents are also welcome to attend. 
• We also have other virtual courses: Breech 101, a course created specifically for parents, doulas, and childbirth educators; and a collection of recorded lectures from other experienced breech providers.

Quick blurb about the training

3-4% of all term babies are breech. Of those, 1/4 to 1/3 are undiagnosed when labor begins. If you are a health care provider or EMT, you are likely to encounter a surprise breech during your career. In addition, many women with known breech presentations wish to avoid a cesarean section and want skilled providers to attend them. We owe it to women to offer them safe vaginal breech birth.

This training will give you the skills and confidence to understand the normal mechanisms of breech birth, to know when to be hands-off and when to offer assistance, and to apply the appropriate maneuvers for women in both supine and upright positions. You will also learn about the most up-to-date evidence about term breech outcomes for the baby and for the mother (both short- and long-term), and for the mother's future pregnancies and births.

Our full day training includes 15 hours of virtual instruction (self-paced and accessible for one year) and 9 hours of in-person training. The online course also includes filmed simulations for easy review of the skills learned during your time with Sophie and Her Mum.

FAQs for attendees

When will I receive access to Breech Pro 2.0? 
Once you have completed the registration and it is processed, you will receive access to Breech Pro 2.0 within 24-72 hours. This is done manually; we appreciate your patience.

Do I need to have Breech Pro 2.0 completed before I attend the simulations?
Yes, 100% completion of Breech Pro 2.0 is required to attend the hands-on training, the master class, or the BTI.

I trained with BWB previously. Can I attend to refresh my skills?
Yes. We welcome alum to register for any of the training options.

What if I miss the training due to a birth?
If possible, we will do our best to reschedule you if we have multiple days in the same location/area. We may also be able to transfer your ticket to a future training, typically if done within the same calendar year. If we cannot, each training option has its own possible refund amount listed on the registration pages. Access to Breech Pro 2.0 will not be affected.

Is my ticket tax-deductible?
Yes. Breech Without Borders is a non-profit 501(c)3, and your ticket cost and any donations to the organization are tax-deductible.

Keep me updated on breech!