Gather Interviews Liz Hochman, a Childbirth Educator in the Twin Cities
We were first introduced to Liz’s work in the Twin Cities’ birth community from clients who had hired us after taking her childbirth education classes. “Not only is she all about the data and numbers and evidence-based research, but she’s also *$%&-ing hilarious!” was the general take on their experiences. Liz Hochman is the owner and educator at birthED, and has been in our community of birth work for the last decade offering data-driven, Lamaze-inspired childbirth education in a really fun space in Hopkins, MN, just outside of Minneapolis. We especially love to send our clients seeking a VBAC her way!
Tell us about your journey as a childbirth educator. How did you get started?
I was in consumer market research prior to launching into professional birth work. I had my first baby and researched more than anyone I knew at the time. Many books were stacked on my bedside table and I couldn't get enough of learning about birth and breastfeeding. It was a natural progression to follow that intrigue into doula-ing. I became a doula in 2009 and always knew that I would also become a teacher at some point. In 2012 I certified as a Lamaze Educator and began teaching a curriculum that I felt was really missing from our local offerings and market. Soon after that, I became a Certified Lactation Counselor as well.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get started as a childbirth educator, but doesn't know where to begin?
Get a website. I have been preaching the 'get a website' message since when I first became a doula in 2009. At that time only a handful of birth professionals had websites but I knew that millennials would soon be the birthing population and the only place they would find you is on the internet. The other thing I think most new birth workers don't realize is that this truly is a profession. There are some very dedicated, full time, birth professionals out here doing this work. That means that if you'd like to get clients in a full-time capacity you'll need to spend full-time hours getting started. Join the Childbirth Collective, get involved with the local birth community, come to conferences and events. Anything to start building those relationships, because I truly believe it's the relationships you build with colleagues that keeps you not just surviving the work but thriving in the work.
What's something you're most proud of professionally?
I'm really proud of birthED. It was such a scary endeavor to take on, building something from nothing and starting over at that point in my career. I continually had to push the doubt from my mind and take each new step in order to create what now exists. I do not have big grandiose wishes for birthED, people are always saying "buy a building", "add more classes", but I have no interest in being big. I like being a quality business with smart people working with me, teaching the size classes that we have with strong connections and community.
What's the most valuable advice you've ever received, either professionally or personally?
"Just keep doing the next right thing"
I suffer from the whole tree needs to be perfectly outlined in my mind down to the very last leaf before I plant the seed syndrome. Is that a thing? What I mean is the best advice I have gotten both professionally and personally is to just do the next right thing, don't focus so much on what the completed perfect project would be but instead just do the thing in front of you. This oddly works for a labor as well ;)
What advice do you have for someone who wants to have a positive and empowered birth experience?
If people only hear ONE thing about prepping for birth it needs to be... CHOOSE A PROVIDER AND BIRTHPLACE THAT MATCHES YOUR VALUES. Sorry for yelling, but I feel really strongly about this. If you want a waterbirth with no interventions you really need to go to the experts in that type of birth and that's midwives. If you want a beautiful family-centered cesarean, find an OBGYN that listens and provides that type of birth regularly. You don't want to be the unique person doing something against the tide on the day of your birth... you want to be the type of birth they see so often that nothing about it seems strange.
What are three things you can't live without lately?
1. My coworkers Molly Mikacevich and Nicole Stecker. They keep me motivated, talk me down, and remind me when I'm doing that 'perfect tree' thing I mentioned above.
2. My friends and social time. I am an extrovert through and through, which means that without the social time I wither and wilt like an unwatered plant.
3. My family, mainly my husband and children. They bring me out of the clouds and focus me into paying attention to the top priorities for us. Health, wellness, and thriving as a unit and individuals.
What's next for you/your business?
At birthED we will continue to teach funny, smart, connected, and engaging classes. There are some bubblings of podcasts and online content coming down the pipeline so stay tuned for that. We have started a Birth Professionals of Color scholarship fund and will be funding our first scholarship recipient soon!
Thank you so much, Liz! We loved learning a bit more about you, and we are so excited to see what comes next!
Follow Liz on Instagram and Facebook.
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