Hello,

I am a sociologist who does some work with Lamaze International, the
childbirth education organization.  Lamaze has set aside 75,000 dollars to
fund an ethnographic study of childbirth education classes and would like to
get the word out to those interested in the sociology and anthropology of
birth.  I attached the RFP below.  If you or one of your students are
interested, please contact Lamaze.

Thanks much,

Ray
-------------------------------------------------------
Raymond De Vries
Institute for Advanced Study
School of Social Science 
West Building Room 337
Einstein Drive
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
tel: 952.484.5750 or 609.734.8266
fax: 609.951.4434
email: [log in to unmask]

 
 

PROJECT TITLE

Understanding Childbirth Education


PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

The mission of Lamaze International is to promote, protect and support
normal birth through education and advocacy.  The first step in
accomplishing this mission is gaining a more complete understanding of the
nature of childbirth education.  Currently, approximately 70% of first time
mothers attend some form of childbirth preparation and of those 88% are
conducted in/by hospitals.  In spite of the large number of women who enroll
in childbirth education classes over two million per year very little is
known about what occurs there.  What is taught?  What teaching strategies
are used?  What is the nature of student-teacher interaction?  The purpose
of this call for proposals is to generate research that richly describes
what happens in childbirth education classes.  This research done in this
round will provide the foundation for further study of both the process and
outcomes of childbirth education. 

 

BACKGROUND

The advancement of Lamaze Internationals mission is moved forward in two
critical ways: first, the education and certification of childbirth
educators, and second, the education of childbearing women in classes taught
by Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE).  A philosophy of birth that
views birth as a normal, natural process and respects womens inherent
ability to give birth is the foundation for the work of the LCCE . The goal
of Lamaze childbirth education is to increase womens confidence in their
ability to give birth, to promote normal birth, and to assist women in
getting the support and care they need for a normal birth. Until the past
two decades, women who attended childbirth classes were less likely to use
medication during labor, and were more satisfied with their birth
experiences than non-attendees.  More recent research fails to distinguish
differences in these or other outcomes between women who attend and women
who do not attend childbirth classes. There is a need for a better
understanding of 1) what happens in childbirth classes, 2) the meaning and
value of childbirth education for the women who attend childbirth classes,
and 3) the factors that influence both what and how childbirth educators
teach.  The research done in this funding cycle will provide the foundation
needed for future research on the content, conduct, and outcomes of
childbirth education.  Lamaze International is funding this research program
in order to find ways to better promote, protect and support normal birth.

 
RESEARCH APPROACH

Lamaze International is interested in funding a study that fully explores
what occurs in childbirth education classes including their content,
teaching strategies, and student-teacher interaction.  The preferred
research method for this study is ethnography; the research may include any
or all of the following: 1) observation of childbirth education classes, 2)
interviews or focus group studies with teachers, the women they teach, and
pregnant women who choose not to enroll in a childbirth education class.
Observation of classes will provide a rich description of the philosophy,
the structure, the content, teaching strategies and evaluation methods. The
focus group/interviews will give voice to both teachers and women.  Because
Lamaze is interested in the range of existing practices, researchers are
encouraged to study teachers and classes that represent a variety of
approaches to childbirth education. 

 
PRODUCTS

Products of the research will include: 1) an interim report summarizing the
first year of work, to be delivered at the annual meeting of Lamaze
International in October 2005; 2) a final report delivered upon completion
of the project by April 30, 2006; and 3) article(s) published in peer
reviewed journals.


ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTRACT

Lamaze International welcomes proposals from experienced qualitative
researchers with a strong interest and background in the topic.

BUDGET

Lamaze International will fund 1 or 2 projects.  The total amount of funding
available is $75,000.  Indirect costs, up to a maximum of 8%, are allowed,
but total (direct + indirect) costs must not exceed $75,000. 


SUBMISSION PROCESS

An electronic copy of the proposal is due August 16, 2004.  The proposal
will include the following sections: (A) A list of investigators and their
affiliations; (B) Specific Aims or Goals; (C) Background and Significance;
(D) Research Method and Design; (E) Institutional Resources, and (F) Budget
and budget justification.  The narrative portion of the proposal, parts B
through D, is limited to eight pages, single spaced in 12 point font. In
addition the proposal will include: 1) curriculum vitae from all
researchers, 2) two letters of support one from an officer of the sponsoring
organization and one from a colleague familiar with previous work of the
researcher(s), 3) letters from collaborators, including teachers of classes
that will be observed, indicating willingness to cooperate with the
research, and 4) evidence of submission of the research protocol to an
Institutional Review Board.  All requested materials must be received by
Linda Harmon, Executive Director of Lamaze International, Inc., by 5:00 p.m.
(EDT) August 16, 2004.  The awardee(s) will be notified by October 1, 2004.
Research should be scheduled to begin on November 1, 2004.


PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

The period of performance for the awarded contract(s) is from November 1,
2004 to April 30, 2006.  One interim report (to be presented at the annual
meeting of Lamaze International in October 2005) and one final project
report (April 30, 2006) are required.  The Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth
Research Committee will monitor the progress of this research contract.
Electronic copies of the reports should be submitted to Linda Harmon,
Executive Director of Lamaze International. Payment during the contract will
be awarded in two parts.  The first payment, awarded on November 1, 2004
will be two-thirds of the total budget and the final payment of one-third
will be awarded after successful completion of the interim report at the
annual meeting of Lamaze International, October 2005.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Lamaze International, Inc.
Linda Harmon, Executive Director
2025 M Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington D.C. 20036
800-368-4404
202-367-1128
[log in to unmask]
www.lamaze.org