Instructions:
The uterus
This is a classic and really one of the first things that a new childbirth educator will probably want to acquire. Choose your colors and patterns and make sure it fits the "fetus" you will be putting in it and away you go. Here is one pattern, but you can find many options online. Demonstrating anatomy as well as how the cervix dilates and effaces during labor is easy with one of these uteruses (uteri?) in hand!
Stages of stool
This knitted diaper is an easy way to show expectant families exactly how their newborn baby's stool will change from meconium to transitional stool to normal breastfed baby stool over the first days of life. It always gets a laugh and really helps reassure them that these changes are normal and to be expected. Betsy Hoffmeister, IBCLC made one for Sharon Muza using one from this pattern.
Breasts
Sharon loves these knitted (or crocheted?) and weighted breasts for teaching about breast/chestfeeding. She has a set of 12, all different sizes, shapes, and colors so every family can have one during our lactation class. Each breast is different, demonstrates a whole bunch of skin tones and different sizes of nipples and areolas. Each one comes with a special bead inside that clearly demonstrates what a clogged duct might feel like, when they find it. You can use these for breast/chestfeeding dolls, learning hand expression and so much more. These were made by Sharon's colleague Emily Banning, in Seattle, but you can find lots of patterns for these online. Here is one she likes. Sharon also has some tiny crocheted breasts that she uses when she talks about hormones. They are about the size of a walnut and she loves them! Made by a former client, Melissa.
Placentas
Use these crocheted mini-placentas in classes to talk about how retained placenta can inhibit mature milk from becoming available in adequate amounts. This one is smaller than a hand, but the entire item could be made much bigger or even life-size, to demonstrate what people can expect the placenta to look like. Sewing on some gauzy material could even represent the membranes attached to the placenta. Here is a pattern for purchase, though you may be able to find another offered for free. Sharon's was made by my former client, Melissa, who is great with the crochet hook.
The Sharon Doll
Another talented former client of Sharon's crocheted this doll that is about 12 inches in height. She named it the "Sharon Doll" and Sharon uses it all the time to demonstrate open pelvises, pushing positions, great positions to labor in and more. The classes love her, and they enjoy getting creative with her long legs and arms. Sharon originally saw something very similar that her friend Teri Shilling uses for teaching, and asked her client to make me something similar.