Name
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Please use the same name and spelling for each exam.
First Name
Last Name
Certification number
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1. According to Blissborn, fear
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Choose the most accurate answer.
is the anticipation of a specific pain or danger, along with the idea that if it happened, you wouldn't be able to handle it.
exists on a continuum, going from a slight worry to a full-blown fight or flight reaction.
is something that can be understood and worked through.
is an important reaction, even though it doesn't feel very good.
All of the above
2. While teaching a large class, you notice that one of the students is trying to fix another student's fear for them. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Watch carefully and hope it stops.
Stop the behavior immediately by pointing out that it's the wrong choice.
Smile and say something like, "Whoa, remember how we talked about not fixing each other's fears? Let's just give this one a space."
Make eye contact with the one who has the fear and quietly make sure she knows you didn't like that either.
3. While sharing fears, a dad breaks down crying. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Try to lighten the mood because you don't want him to be uncomfortable.
Go to him and kneel down near him. Put your hand on his shoulder. Tell him it's okay.
Encourage him to breathe. Say something like, "Yeah, that's a really big fear. That feels scary." Nod.
Hand him a tissue and look at the floor until he gets himself together. Then move on to the next person so he doesn't feel embarrassed.
4. Click on the examples that show SKILLED listening as students share their fears in class.
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Select 2 answers.
A mom tells the class she is terrified of pooping while pushing. She laughs. You smile and nod.
A mom begins to cry, and looks up at the sky and holds her breath. You coach her to to breathe through it, and wait a moment for her to continue while saying, "Mmm...".
A mom says she is worried about tearing. You nod and let her know you understand, because that happened to you.
A mom says she is really scared that she will be a bad parent to her second baby, since she feels like she's already too tense with her first. You tell her that you have seen what an amazing parent she is, and that you're sure she'll be a wonderful parent to this child, too.
5. Click on the examples that show SKILLED listening as students share their fears in class.
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Select 2 answers.
A dad says he worries about losing his wife and baby in childbirth. You nod, looking concerned. You thank him for sharing that.
A dad shares that he's worried about his wife's ability to handle the pain without yelling at him. His wife interrupts and says that she would never do that.
A mom tells you her baby might have Down's Syndrome. She hasn't done much research on it, but she feels really scared of what it means. You say, "That feels really scary to you..." and you wait a moment to see if she wants to add anything.
A mom says her last birth was tough and she's afraid her next birth will be, too. Another student tells her that she and her baby lived through it, so she can focus on that.
6. While sharing fears before beginning the exercise, a dad says that he is fearful that his mother-in-law will try to take over the birth. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Nod, reframe and repeat what he's saying, and thank him for sharing.
Tell him right at the beginning of the exercise that it's their birth and they should do it the way they want to.
Challenge him to figure out why he can't stand up to his partner's mother.
Try to ease the tension by making a joke.
7. According to Blissborn, the benefits of processing fears include
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Choose the most accurate answer.
A. A lifetime of freedom from old and new fears
B. People being nicer to you
C. Improved confidence for your birth
D. Reducing trauma and stress for the baby
B, C, and D
A, C, and D
8. What are the steps for Facing Down Fear process?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
A. Rename your fear. List each step you can take to prevent what you're afraid of. Ask yourself if there's anyone who might be able to do some of these things for you.
B. Have your partner help you make a list of all your birth fears. Have a talk about what he or she can do to help in each situation. Write down your answers.
C. Write down your fears. Choose one to work with. Define what you would do before, during, and after. Ask yourself if you can see yourself actually doing all the action steps.
D. Write down a fear or two. Imagine your fears floating away like clouds through a sunroof in your mind.
E. Write at least five good affirmations. Have affirmations delivered in hypnosis.
F. Use hypnosis to help convince yourself do each step. Then write affirmations with all of the new information you've learned.
A then F
C then E
B then E then D
9. While doing the Fear exercise, a dad discovers his "personal lie" is that he is worthless. His original fear is that he will be a bad partner in labor... because he is afraid he'll be judged later. He writes the following affirmations: 1) I am worthy. 2) I am a good dad. 3) We are great together 4) Her body is made to do this. -- What would you like to see added to his affirmations in this scenario?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
A. I am already a great partner. I know I always do the best I can, and I deserve kindness.
B. I will always take good care of my baby, because I understand her needs.
C. I have plenty of time.
D. I monitor the lighting and temperature every moment.
10. While doing the exercise, a mom's original fear is that she will lose control because of the pain in labor... looking deeper, she discovers that her "personal lie" is that she is unlovable. She writes the following affirmations: 1) I remain comfortable and calm in labor. 2) I easily connect with my baby. 3) The more I relax, the more comfortable I am. 4) My partner takes good care of me and loves me like crazy. -- What would you like to see added to her affirmations in this scenario?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
A. Each time I think of labor I remember everything is just fine.
B. I am lovable. I am so lovable.
C. My voice is strong and clear and I speak my mind.
D. I am organized and I keep everything in its place.
11. While doing the exercise, a mom (who is a care provider herself) writes down the fear that she will have a relatively rare problem in her labor, but one that could lead to the death of the baby. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Reassure her that it's a near impossibility.
Tell her you know a lot about this and you are positive she will be fine.
Encourage her to choose a less intense fear.
Listen, mirroring her expression, and encourage her to do the steps.
12. While doing the exercise, a mom has a lot of anxiety about her partner. You have observed some of the behaviors she's concerned about. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Quietly let her know you understand what she's saying, and you sympathize. Having a bad partner is hard.
Share a similar experience of your own with her.
Make her right, but still encourage her to find the good in her partner, since she's stuck with him for now.
Guide her to find her own way through it, doing the steps. Push her a bit to ask the hard questions, like "What if that really did happen? What would you do then?"
13. While working on the Fear Process, a dad says he has no fears. What do you do?
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Encourage him to dig deeper. Everyone has fears.
Explore with him whether he's afraid of some of the bigger fears, like his baby dying or his wife getting sick.
Ask him if he'd like to make one up so he can learn the process.
Ask him to sit somewhere else if he's not going to participate.
Tell her that's a big fear but you can do it, together.
Tell her that this process isn't really appropriate for mortal fears for the self, since it's all about Action Steps -- and there's nothing to be done by a person after their death. Ask if she'd like to explore the Action Steps around her spirituality and how she would live on in her family, or if she'd like to pick another fear to work with. Refer her to a counselor if she really needs to work on this fear.
Let her know that there are very few true emergencies in birth, and her safety is almost guaranteed, and that her doctor would tell her if there's something to worry about.
Refer her to counseling because this fear is way too big to work with.
14. While working on the Fear Process, a mom expresses a fear that she is going to die during birth. She appears calm but teary. You have observed that she is a functional and well-attached person in what appears to be a safe relationship. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Tell her that's a big fear but you can do it, together.
Tell her that this process isn't really appropriate for mortal fears for the self, since it's all about Action Steps -- and there's nothing to be done by a person after their death. Ask if she'd like to explore the Action Steps around her spirituality and how she would live on in her family, or if she'd like to pick another fear to work with. Refer her to a counselor if she really needs to work on this fear.
Let her know that there are very few true emergencies in birth, and her safety is almost guaranteed, and that her doctor would tell her if there's something to worry about.
Refer her to counseling because this fear is way too big to work with.
15. While working on the Fear Process, a mom is really stuck. She has been struggling with her big fear the whole time, and appears to be shut down. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Ask a lot of questions and push her hard to find the deeper answers. Tell her you trust that it's in there.
Try to help her get more clear and dialed in on the fear. Gently ask what she's feeling. Ask her if she can see herself giving herself the time to do what needs to be done, or to grieve. Ask if she'd like to work on a lesser fear.
Give her lots of space. She'll come to you if she wants help.
Tell her everything you know about what she's afraid of, and encourage her to trust you that she can do this.
16. A mom is terrified of the hospital, and just found out she probably has to get a cesarean. She's having a hard time with the whole idea of it, start to finish. What do you do about the Fear Process?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Have her dial into just one piece of the fear (such as the idea of feeling scared about the pain from the epidural needle) so she can learn how to do the exercise. Encourage her to do the process with the other pieces later.
Have her go ahead and work on the fear of the whole idea of a cesarean, because the whole thing matters and is scary to her.
Tell her to focus on the baby at the end, and reassure her that you've known lots of moms who had amazing births, even if they wound up with a cesarean surgery.
Let her skip it. Remind her that she has everything she needs inside of her, and have her focus on her health and her baby's health.
17. During Step C, the "checks and balances" part of the exercise, a mom writes a "no" answer on one of her action steps, and says she can't see herself doing that one. What do you do?
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Ask her if she would like to start Step B over.
Ask her to write a different action step that is a better fit.
Ask her what she'd need to change to make it work for her, so she can write a yes there.
Tell her one or two "no" and "maybe" answers are okay.
18. Select the best version of these affirmations about worries about failing.
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Choose the most accurate answer.
No matter how my birth turns out, I will forgive myself.
I accept my situation, because it's unchangeable. I know I'll do the best I can.
I'm not a failure. I can do anything.
I am a success. I am forgiving with myself, because I always do my best. I find lots of proof each day to remind myself that I'm a success.
19. Select the best version of these affirmations about worries about being a parent.
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Choose the most accurate answer.
I know I can do a better job than my parents did. My child's life will be nothing like my childhood was.
Because I know what's important, I make good decisions for my child. I am capable and smart.
I can imagine being a wonderful parent. When I need to, I can be patient and calm.
I forgive myself for mistakes, because I know my heart is always in the right place. I am the best at this.
20. Select the best version of these affirmations about worries about blood pressure.
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Choose the most accurate answer.
Each easy beat of my heart reminds my body to reset to its perfect functioning levels, because I am calm and safe.
My blood pressure remains super low throughout my pregnancy.
The blood pressure cuff feels like a nice little hug, so I don't freak out.
At my next doctor's appointment, my relaxed veins will allow the doctor to quickly lower my blood pressure to a safe and healthy level.