Childbirth And Parenting Educators of Australia, Inc. (CAPEA) believes that:
1. Pregnancy, birth
and parenting are normal and significant and transformational life events for
most families.
2. Birth can safely
take place in hospitals, birth centres and homes with appropriate monitoring
and professional health care.
3. Childbirth and
early parenting education is an integral component of maternity, as well as
maternal, child and family health care.
4. Childbirth and
early parenting education is a significant primary health initiative that has
the potential to influence not only the health and well-being of women, parents and their immediate families, but those of
future generations.
5. Childbirth and Early
Parenting Educators advocate for laws, policies, guidelines and care that
promotes normal birth, breastfeeding, and the rights of parents to choose what
is best for them and their family.
6. All expectant and
new parents and their families have the right to respectful and professional
care.
7. Childbirth and
parenting education is based on contemporary evidence-based knowledge and the
appropriate application of adult learning principles and group facilitation
skills.
8. Excellent,
accessible and responsive childbirth and parenting education should be
available for all expectant and new mothers, fathers, parents and their
families, and can be provided within and externally to maternity and parenting
services.
9. The childbirth
and early parenting learning needs of all expectant
and new parents, co-parents and carers of infants and young children
should be recognised regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, sexual
orientation, family structure or disability.
10. Childbirth and
early parenting education should be provided in a non-judgmental, unbiased way
to anyone seeking the service.
11. Fathers of the
infant, being husbands, male partners, non-resident fathers, step-fathers and
other father figures, have a central role in supporting women during pregnancy,
labour and birth as well as supporting each other when roles change during the
early parenting period. Fathers have specialised educational needs in the
transition to parenthood and this can be achieved without jeopardising the
notion of woman-centred care.
12. The parents, co-parents
or carers of the baby may be in a same-gender, single parent, blended or
multi-generational family, or be adoptive parents or legal guardians. These parents also have specialised
educational needs in their transition to parenthood.
13.The early development
of the parent-infant relationship is crucial for the future physical and mental
health of the infant. This is achieved through the parent/s and significant
others identified by the parent actively engaging in providing sensitive,
timely and appropriate responses to their infant’s cues for interaction and
assistance.
14. Childbirth
and Parenting Educators are accountable and responsible for their own practice
and professional development.