Are you ready to become the most
trusted coach in perinatal health?
Fit For Birth’s Pre & Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist™ (PPCES) course takes a highly progressive and holistic approach to fitness. Go beyond a simple list of ‘Do’s & Don’ts’ and delve into the latest research to train your pre & postnatal clientele responsibly and with confidence. Become a highly sought-after authority for pre & postnatal women!
Payment plans available at checkout.
Click here to apply for our Scholarship.
Why focus on women’s health?
Prioritizing women’s health in fitness training is crucial, especially as women make up 50% of the population, and a significant percentage will experience unique health challenges related to childbirth. Studies indicate that nearly 75% of women will face urinary incontinence or pelvic floor issues, particularly during the postpartum period. With the Fit For Birth education, you will confidently be able to tailor training to address these challenges. Your expertise will not only enhance your pregnant and postpartum clients overall well-being, but will also create a specialized holistic approach often overlooked in traditional fitness programs. Empowering pregnant clients and postpartum women through targeted fitness training positively impacts maternal health, reduces instances of postpartum complications, postpartum depression, and fosters a supportive environment for families. You aren’t just changing the life of one client. You are promoting equality, well-being, and stronger communities.
IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL LEARN:
- All about birthing practices in the modern world and where they came from
- 3 trends in modern childbirth every trainer should know
- Benefits of exercise during pregnancy
- Common pregnancy considerations
- Musculoskeletal and physiological considerations
- Corrective exercise coaching assessment and skills
- Prenatal program design
- Common postpartum considerations
- Postnatal Program Design
- The Fit For Birth 5 Foundations of Wellness (exercise, nutrition, mindset, breathing, lifestyle) and how to coach them
- How to mentally and emotionally prepare your clients for their pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum
ExcellentBased on 149 reviews
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Liza Fit2024-07-09Wonderful and in depth course. I learned a lot about corrective exercise, and how to properly program for a pre and post natal client.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lydia Lane2024-02-13I am so happy that I found this course. I've been a personal trainer for 18 years and have never found a course that was so packed with information. James is incredibly knowledgeable and a great teacher. He was able to explain the concepts and science in a way that was easy to understand and retain. The entire team is supportive, encouraging, and available to help whenever you need them. If you are a trainer that works with women, you need to take this course. It will change the way that you train.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Emily Mara2024-01-22I couldn't speak more highly of the FitforBirth Pre/Postnatal Exercise Specialist Course. Its holistic approach and thorough course work will set you up to feel confident in helping women navigate the physical changes and challenges that come along with pregnancy. Their staff is also highly responsive, supportive and invested in your success.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lexi Blizzard2023-11-21I recently completed the PPCES course and I cannot say enough good things about it! I began looking into Fit for Birth certifications at the beginning of 2023… as well as some other pre/postnatal certifications and companies. I ended up choosing Fit for Birth because I felt really aligned with their holistic approach. They do not just focus on exercise and writing the perfect program for clients like many other courses… it’s a combination of exercise, mindset, nutrition, and lifestyle. I was honestly not expecting to walk away with so much value and knowledge. If you want to make a difference in the lives of pre/postnatal women, I highly recommend Fit for Birth.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Patty Suau2023-10-19I swear by this program. It’s made moving my body during pregnancy easy. I’ve been able to be fully mobile with only minor aches through even the third trimester. My pelvic floor is on point too. No pains. My favorite is that what I’ve learned applies postpartum and beyond too. It’s a a worthwhile investment in self for pregnancy, birth, and life in general. 10/10 recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Jess Fiala2023-09-11I have been in the fitness industry for ten years and Fit For Birth has been the certification that has been talked about the most. The certification is very thorough and I believe that any corrective exercise specialist, group fitness instructor, or new mom/mom to be, would benefit from taking this course. There's a combination of written manual, video seminars and live instruction (at the end) to provide a well rounded approach for every learning style. I also appreciated that there was no deadline that the certification needed to be done within. I started the cert several times, and finally finished it a few weeks ago! Each time I went through the content I learned something new. My training will change because of the information gained from this course. It is also worth 1.9 CEU's with NASM, so that is also a huge incentive to complete it! Thank you to James, Theresa, Clara and the entire team for their ability to create such a solid course for both pregnancy and post.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Evan Chase2023-07-12I absolutely LOVED my experience and education I got from these certifications! Absolutely life changing. It helped me through my own birthing journey as well as helping several clients. Giving women education and empowering them to be their own best advocate for what they want for their birth. Giving tools to have a powerful birth, and support women during postpartum is so important! I can’t recommend this program enough! It’s truly incredible.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tania I RM2023-07-07It is perfect! I love each stage and I learned a lot! I highly recommended.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kjell Crowe2023-05-31As a personal trainer and a birth doula, I have found this to be my missing ingredient to how I work with all of my female clients. I loved it! I love the focus on corrective exercise and breathing mechanics. Just yesterday I got one of my clients to change her breathing to her belly and she immediately noticed a difference in where she was "feeling" the lunge. In her glutes! While some have knocked this course for focusing too much on natural birth and labor, I loved that part. I think it's important for people to understand that what we see in the movies and TV shows isn't how it needs to go or should go, and also know that there are other options to just going in, getting induced and then getting an epidural. Homebirth, birthing centers, natural birth in hospital. Know you have options! I am so grateful for the video session with Krista at the end. Being able to be walked through an actual assessment and coaching session with my client was super beneficial. I feel equipped to go out there and do this with anyone who walks through my door. I highly recommend this course for all fitness professionals.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
John Melgaard2022-12-14Amazing education, I cannot wait to share this stuff with my community in Charlottesville, VA, and the rest of the world!
The PPCES Certification helps you CONFIDENTLY PROVIDE YOUR CLIENTS WITH:
- Healthier pregnancies with fewer discomforts
- Less labor and delivery interventions
- Faster and more complete recovery
- Healthier and better-adapted babies
What our PPCES graduates say
Why Choose Fit For Birth Over
Other Leading Certifications or going back to school?
research-based
Research shows rising rates in mechanized childbirth, infertility, and chronic childhood disease. Fit For Birth teaches the 3 trends every trainer should know and birthing in the modern world to help you fully understand how past practices can help inform the choices now available to women and teaches you how the medical system works so you can empower your clients to achieve the birth they want through education and understanding. This is a real advantage over your peers.
practical
Other courses provide ‘safe exercises by trimester’ while Fit For Birth teaches you exactly how to train your expecting and postpartum moms through corrective exercise and the game-changing Core Breathing Belly Pump™ – which once mastered, opens up almost limitless programming opportunities. Learn a revolutionary corrective exercise coaching assessment that you can use with any client and a simple yet powerful format to create pre & postnatal exercise programming. Discover exactly why corrective exercise is the new form of responsible fitness and take the guesswork out of ‘Do’s & Don’ts’ of pregnancy and postpartum exercise.
Holistic
Fit For Birth takes a holistic approach by teaching the Five Foundations – a complete mind-body approach to perinatal health to empower mothers with a solid mental, emotional, and spiritual foundation. Learn to use visualization techniques to build moms’ confidence and an amazing connection to the body to help moms understand post-pregnancy weight loss and begin to “recover” while baby is still in the belly! To ensure you fully understand how to put the course material into practice, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a client on a two-hour video call with a Fit For Birth Head Coach – an invaluable bonus that is life-changing for both the student and the client!
FAQs
PPCES is the abbreviation for Fit For Birth’s Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Course. It is also our Level 1 course and the first component of our Pregnancy Safe Coach Program.
PPCES is currently $997.
-Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Text (Online and Downloadable)
-PowerPoint Manual. (used with the video footage)
-Video Footage of a Live Course
-Additional Materials (assessment sheets and other handouts)
-Live Video Call (VC) session with a Fit For Birth Head Coach
All materials are provided to you as part of a state-of-the-art E-Learning platform, which is fully accessible to you immediately, using your email and password.
You can purchase our Corrective Exercise Specialist Course in a one-time payment or payment plan options and scholarships are available.
1.9 NASM credits
7 NCSF credits
2.6 NCSF credits
28 ACSM CECs
28 CDR CPEUs
8 REPSSA credits
20 ISSA credits
4 CanFitPro CECs
Yes, you can contact your certifying body, request and submit a CEU petition application to determine the CEU value that will be given. This will often occur as follows:
You ask your certifying body to send you a CEU petition form, or find where you fill it out online. (We can help you find out this information!)
You fill out the form and scan or mail your certifying body some materials about the Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Course (ie. course outline, course objectives, etc.—We at Fit For Birth provide you with these materials!)
Please note that, in our experience, most organizations will charge you a nominal fee (ie. $25) for taking the time to review materials that are submitted for the petition.
Your organization determines how many CEU’s to offer you. This usually equates to one credit given for each hour spent in education. The Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Course is rated at approximately 28 hours. (See FAQ Question: How long does it take to complete the program?) It is not obligatory for your organization to approve this course, however, to date, we have not heard of any professional NOT receiving approval. If this is an important consideration for you, please contact your certifying body in advance to confirm whether or not our program is likely to be approved.
The short answer is yes. Our courses are available in the U.K. and currently Fit For Birth has students and graduates in more than 30 countries around the world. And we are “transferable” in that our course is recognized and even Pre-Approved by organizations who have jurisdiction in countries all over the world. For example, AFAA & NASM qualify fitness professionals in dozens of countries around the world, spanning multiple continents. ACE, NCSF and ACSM have a presence in Europe, and REPSSA is present in South Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, U.A.E. and Canada.
Our courses are also transferrable in that quality education helps any fitness professional anywhere to perform their skills better. Even so, the most direct way to confirm for sure is to ask your employer, your clients, and/or your governing fitness body if they will accept a Fit For Birth course as part of your continuing education program. If so, then the answer is clearly yes.
The more involved answer may also be of interest to you. It takes time for official regulations to pass and international standards to be set. For example, the fitness industry has risen only in the last several decades and still is not regulated in most U.S. states. International regulation won’t likely occur until individual states and countries set their own internal regulations, perhaps over the next few decades.
Finally, the Pre & Postnatal Fitness Professional has not yet been identified as a unique profession, so specific regulation in this realm is not likely to begin until all of the above has been set prior or at least in conjunction. (This process is the same way that medical doctors, physical therapists, and massage therapists, for example, have gone from unregulated to regulated within states/countries and later to governed and accepted between countries.)
For Prenatal Professionals, companies like Fit For Birth are likely to be the trend setters who ultimately forge the paths to regulation – first nationally, then internationally. And this is our clear intention. We’re a great team to be a part of, growing every day, and intending to provide the most solid scientific progressive evidence wrapped into a fun education. We also aim to be fully transparent along the way, so we are happy to answer all your questions regarding this somewhat tricky topic.
We currently do not have a live course planned but stay tuned for updates!
After registering, you will be able to login and start taking the course immediately. You will also have access to the PPCES Private Facebook Page, as well as support from the Fit For Birth “Inner Unit” team.
It’s completely up to you on how fast you finish the program. We have had people complete it in a week or two, other people take months, to a year (and sometimes more)! Here is an approximate breakdown on what to expect from the PPCES online course material:
Prenatal Manual: 6 Hours
Postnatal Manual: 3 Hours
Video Footage of the 3-day Live Course with PowerPoint Manual: 15 Hours of footage
Quizzes: 2 Hours
Video Conferencing with Fit For Birth Head Coach: 2 Hours
How Much Support Will be Available?
Fit For Birth Team Members are here to help and assist you with anything that you need. We are known for our thorough support and follow-through. Just call or email!
You will also find support from your Fit For Birth colleagues around the world via access to your Private Facebook Group. It is common for members of this group to offer advice and suggestions to those who post questions.
The primary audience of this course is Fitness Professionals. However, we have had participants from all over the health and wellness field:
Personal trainers
Yoga instructors
Pilates instructors
Massage therapists
Midwives
Doulas
Lactation consultants
Physical therapists
Health policy administration consultants
Fitness studio managers
General managers
Moms who are interested in deeper education in having a healthy pregnancy and delivery
Moms who are interested in deeper education in having a healthy pregnancy and delivery
This is a course that is intended for anyone interested in enriching their experience in Corrective Exercise, as well as any Health Professional who is interested in understanding a more complete truth about the modern birthing industry, the disastrous “three trends” that threaten the modern world, and the power of some radically underutilized natural solutions!
Absolutely! The course can be taken in any location, and we currently have instructors from thirty countries around the world.
The Course has already been pre-approved by multiple organizations that certify professionals globally. If you live in a country outside of the United States and would like us to seek approval for your fitness or health organization, please let us know! We add to our pre-approvals frequently.
Thank you for the important work you do. The modern world really needs birth professionals who have deep access to the natural solutions that can enhance your prenatal clients’ chances for smooth and successful natural births, without the need for medical interventions.
Midwives and Doulas have been participating in Fit For Birth courses since the inception of the PPCES. And there is no need for you to become a trainer “officially” in any other manner! As you learn from our courses, you will understand how to advise your clients on exercise, health and life coaching within the setting of your clinic, easily streamlining with your current practice. In addition, in most cases around the world and within the U.S., if you desire, you will be able to coach very specific exercises that can offer immediate relief for a variety of pregnancy and postpartum issues.
As a birth professional, you are in a great position to educate and help pregnant women and this course will put you at an even greater advantage!
Yes!
It’s usually simple and works like this – you will ask your certifying body to send you a CEU petition form, or find where you fill it out online. Fit For Birth can help you find this information. Please email: Theresa@GetFitForBirth.com.
You fill out the form and scan or mail your certifying body some materials about the Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Course, i.e.: course outline, course objectives, etc. We at Fit For Birth will provide you with these materials!
Please note that, in our experience, most organizations will charge you a nominal fee (ie. $25) for taking the time to review materials that are submitted for petition.
Your organization determines how many CEU’s to offer you. This usually equates to one credit given for each hour spent in education. The PPCES is rated at approximately 28-30 hours. (See FAQ Question: How long does it take to complete the program?)
Please note that it is not obligatory for your organization to approve this course, however, to date, we have not heard of any professional NOT receiving approval. If this is an important consideration for you, please contact your certifying body in advance to confirm whether or not the PPCES is likely to be approved.
Yes! Here is a precise example of what our Pilates students have experienced when they apply for CEC’s from Pilates Method Alliance (as of 2018):
1. Go online to this site (http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3671). Where it indicates, “For Petition Application,” choose “Click Here” and enter your login details.
2. Submit (A) the Course Outline, (B) Instructor’s CV, and (C) Manual Bibliography (All of which Fit For Birth will provide for you to easily submit)
3. Pay $25 and wait for approval
4. Approval for 16 CEC’s (the required number in order to keep her PMA certification every 2 years) has been given to our graduates, and the approval came in less than 2 weeks!
YES! The primary audience of this course is Fitness Professionals. However, we have had participants from all over the health and wellness field:
Yoga instructors
Pilates instructors
Massage therapists
Midwives
Doulas
Lactation consultants
Physical therapists
Health policy administration consultants
Fitness studio owners
Fitness studio managers
General managers
Moms who are interested in a deeper education, and having a healthy pregnancy and delivery
Yes, the course is designed for participation entirely online, at any location that is convenient to you. You will need a computer with internet access. If you do not have online access, please contact theresa@getfitforbirth.com and we will happily help you find another way to participate.
There is no “final exam” and our educational process is purposefully designed for learning rather than pass/fail. Our educational belief is focused in helping you improve your skills from whatever level you are currently. We require you to complete the quizzes and participate in a 2 hour Video Conference (VC) session with a Fit For Birth Head Coach.
There are six quizzes that highlight the main ideas from the course work, and help solidify your understanding. These are very straight forward and primarily right out of the manual. They are designed simply to highlight the most important areas of information.
Details about the VC Session:
The session is not pass/fail! There are three intentions of this VC:
1. To help you improve your skills as a qualified professional.
2. To find the primary misalignments or less-than-optimal function in your client and help her understand and feel the solution through corrective exercise.
3. To have fun and enjoy the process.
There is not a required structure for the 120 minute VC to proceed, but there is a usual format. Unless otherwise discussed with a Fit For Birth Head Coach, you can plan for the following:
Your FFB head coach will lead a quick client intake.
You will lead the FFB Assessment with your client one time through in a “non-coaching” manner.
You and the FFB Coach tell the client about the major findings and why making change is important.
You and your FFB Coach will instruct a few corrective exercises to see if the client can jumpstart the deficient area, and perform with greater function.
Additional questions between yourself and FFB Head Coach can be addressed in private at the end, after the client’s role is completed.
The session is designed to have you practice assessing, training, and inspiring your prenatal or postnatal clients to understand the importance of training with you. This is a great opportunity for you to practice “selling” the impact of your services and how you would recommend her to move forward.
In other words, not only will you get to participate in how a FFB Head Coach performs a sales-based assessment, but the client will be gently coached to understand how important it can be to have a coach with your skillset.
Please expect for you and your client to spend about 120 minutes during this VC session. Typically, you’ll spend about 10 minutes at the beginning of the session discussing with the FFB Head Coach, before your client is asked to participate.
Preparing for Your VC Session:
First, you will schedule your VC at a time that is convenient for you (and your “client”) using our online scheduler (email Theresa@GetFitForBirth.com with any questions.)
What you will bring / prepare:
Your pre or post natal client. (Ideally, you would bring a pre or post natal client to practice your assessment, but you are welcome to bring a friend or relative if a pre or post natal client is not available).
Your preparation for leading an assessment.
A computer, tablet, or phone that has a reliable internet connection and power cord.
On the Day of your VC Session:
About 10 minutes prior to your session, you will receive an email asking you to “Please join your Fit For Birth Video Call!” Regardless of whether you are on a computer, phone, tablet, or any smart device, you will click on the first link which says something similar to this: https://zoom.us/j/866434959
After you click on the link in the email, you will be prompted to download Zoom and create an account by entering an email and password (unless you already have an account created). After just a few moments, you will join the video call.
No worries at all. If you work in another field, we can design the VC session to fit your work more specifically. We want to make sure that the session is relevant to your practice, and is something that is really valuable for you. Here are some possibilities, although anything is possible:
Massage Therapists: VC discussion and/or practice about how to incorporate corrective exercise techniques into your massage practice.
Birth Professionals: VC discussion and/or practice about how to incorporate exercise and health coaching concepts into your initial consultation, or into any consultation.
Yoga Professionals: VC of your yoga assessment or session, with feedback intended to support the nature of your yoga instruction.
Pilates Professionals: VC of your Pilates assessment or session, with feedback intended to support the nature of your Pilates instruction.
How do I schedule my Video Conference (VC) session?
After submitting your quizzes, you will schedule your VC Session through our online scheduler.
Graduates and their clients often find the VC session valuable so we now offer additional VC sessions for purchase. This may be the case for those trainers who wish to make it a formal part of their “First Session” with every client. In addition, the VC can be used as a “Special Session” for certain clients who may like the idea of a check-in with a Fit For Birth Head Coach at various points in the pregnancy, just to continue the learning process, oversee the techniques, and keep things moving forward smoothly, safely, and fun.
Each additional VC session currently costs $200.
You may consider working the cost into the price structure for your coaching services. For example, you can offer your prenatal clients a special “upgrade” once per month or once per week where she pays for the extra session. For those of you with a monthly pricing structure, it can be a real marketing asset to offer your client the option of having her program be “co-created” or “reviewed” by the Fit For Birth team. By working additional Video Conferencing sessions into your price structure, your client pays for the additional session directly. This means that you, the Fit For Birth professional, can get guidance and coaching on the fly and at little cost to you, while your prenatal client experiences the benefits of having a “team” to be a part of her pregnancy!
If you do not have access to a reliable internet connection that can support video conferencing, we have an alternative finalization process. It involves your submitting a case study and two written pieces that are intended to directly help you build your business.
Essentially, you can say, “I have completed Fit For Birth’s Certificate of Advanced Qualification Continuing Education Credit: Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Course.”
No, there is no recertification necessary. Once you have completed the course, you are considered a “Fit For Birth Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist” and remain part of our worldwide family for no additional cost.
Upon completion of your Video Call (VC) Session, the certificate of completion will be emailed to you.
OUR CEC BREAKDOWN:
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