You know how to support families through some of the most important decisions of their lives.
But do you know how your own thinking patterns might be shaping those conversations?
Midwifery communication isn't just about choosing the right words. It's about navigating a constant, layered process — listening carefully to what families are actually telling you, recognizing how your past experiences inform your present assumptions, weighing practice guidelines against current evidence, and honoring cultural preferences, all while helping someone make a decision that belongs entirely to them.
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If you've ever found yourself wondering:
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"Are they really understanding what I'm explaining?"
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"Am I influencing their decision rather than supporting it?"
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"What biases might I be bringing into this room?"
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"Am I actually hearing them, or just waiting for my turn to talk?"
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You're not alone — and this lab is for you.
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This practical, case-based session is designed to bridge the gap between understanding communication theory and developing real confidence in recognizing and working with your own decision-making patterns.
In this Lab We'll Explore
What Are We Actually Communicating?
Effective communication goes well beyond words. We'll work through how to read between the lines, recognize when understanding has broken down, and make sure families genuinely have what they need to make their own decisions.
What Biases Are Actually Operating?
Confirmation bias. Anchoring. The availability heuristic. These aren't abstract concepts — they show up in your practice every day. We'll look at how common cognitive biases affect clinical communication and how to catch them in the moment.
Listening Beyond What You Expected to Hear
Communication is more than waiting for your turn to talk. We'll work through real scenarios where providers' preconceptions got in the way of truly hearing families — and how to recognize when that's happening to you.
Making the Decision
When the path forward isn't obvious, how do you move forward with clarity and integrity? We'll discuss practical approaches to weighing different perspectives, acknowledging uncertainty, and supporting families through genuine decision-making.
Talking About It
How do you explain your clinical reasoning in a way that feels respectful, transparent, and honest — without taking the decision out of your client's hands? We'll review communication frameworks, common pitfalls, and language that honors families' expertise about their own bodies and values.
Documenting the Truth
Many charting errors happen because providers document what they were thinking rather than what actually occurred. We'll review practical documentation approaches, common mistakes, and charting language that accurately reflects what happened — bias-free.
HOW THIS LAB WORKS
This lab is a little different. Before the session, you'll receive a clinical scenario to prepare — a situation you'll present to a "client" in a live role-play during the class. You'll have the chance to practice your approach, receive expert feedback on your communication style, and identify the blind spots you might not have known were there.
It's a rare opportunity to practice in a low-stakes environment with people who understand exactly what you're navigating.
This Lab Is For...
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Midwifery students
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New graduates
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Experienced midwives wanting to deepen their practice
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Birth professionals seeking greater awareness of their own decision-making patterns
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Anyone who has ever wondered whether their assumptions were getting in the way
What you'll leave with
By the end of this session, you'll have greater awareness of how your thinking patterns influence your communication, a clearer understanding of common cognitive biases and how they show up in practice, practical tools for recognizing bias in the moment, a stronger framework for genuinely listening to families, improved confidence in explaining your clinical reasoning, and more honest, accurate charting practices.
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Most importantly, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how communication and decision-making fit into the larger goal we all share: honoring families' autonomy, recognizing complexity, and providing safer, more trustworthy care.
Meet your Mentors
Augustine Colebrook
Retired CPM, MA-MCHS
Augustine Colebrook is a midwife, mentor, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience supporting midwives and birth professionals worldwide. Her career has been dedicated to improving maternity care through education, advocacy, and system change, while also mentoring the next generation to build sustainable and fulfilling practices.
Having witnessed firsthand the dysfunction, scarcity, and isolation that often burden the profession, Augustine has made it her mission to replace them with connection, wisdom, and practical tools for success. She draws on her extensive expertise in leadership, business, and midwifery to guide students and graduates toward confident, empowered, and lasting careers.​​​​
Chetana Kulkarni
Certified International Midwife
Chetana Kulkarni is a Certified International Midwife, a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor, a La Leche League International Leader, a Lamaze trained Childbirth Educator, a Birth Centre Consultant, and an entrepreneur in the birth business. Her heart, skills, and experience lie in bringing about peaceful, and practical transformation in community-based birth in her city of Bangalore, and as an extension throughout India. She firmly believes that access to good quality, inclusive reproductive health care for families, from adolescence through to menopause, is crucial for a just and better society. She is an advocate for modern midwifery because, while midwives are as old as humankind itself, this profession has the potential to save more lives and increase joy. Chetana’s compassionate, skilled care of her clients is a step towards solving the maternity care crisis in India.