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A positive, nonjudgmental, and informed approach to sexual health during pregnancy promotes acceptance of the normal functioning of women's bodies. It also encourages the development of close and supportive relationships that are so essential during pregnancy and birth. Common concerns do not need to become problems. Concerns include issues of libido, positioning, and preterm labor or fetal health, as well as myths and cultural attitudes. Childbirth educators can use tools such as the PLISSIT model to approach the topic of sexuality during pregnancy. In addition, opportunities are available in every childbirth class to acknowledge or ignore sexual issues. Perinatal educators who take responsibility for addressing this often-taboo topic can enhance women's feelings of safety and their confidence in normal birth.

In the wake of recent natural and man-made disasters and emergency situations, pregnant women are especially vulnerable. The authors of this column encourage childbirth educators to include disaster preparedness instruction and emergency childbirth techniques in their class content.

<h4>OB Boot Camp: Maternity Simulators in Clinical Education</h4> <p>Clinical simulation models have been shown to be an effective nursing education technology (Johnson, Zerwic, &amp; theis, 1999). This technology has undergone recent innovations in the area of birthing simulation. Maternity simulators are life-like manikins that can represent maternity clients for nursing and medical students. Simulators can vary from simple partial body models to full-body electronic simulators with fetal heartbeats and mechanical mechanisms to propel a manikin fetus through the pelvis. These simulators perform the cardinal movements of labor and birth, and the neonatal models can simulate the transition of the newborn to extra-uterine life. Some models can be attached to a computer so students can practice live-action fetal heartbeat and labor scenarios. [more...]</p>