Active Birth Workshop

The Active Birth Workshop teaches preparation for labour and birth, skills for relaxation, the importance of movement and positioning and includes a special focus on skills and techniques for keeping birth normal and avoiding unnecessary interventions. You will also learn how to use decision-making tools, which enable you to birth your way.

What is active birth?  

Details: dates, times, venue, cost

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Whether its your first baby, your lucky last, or birth after caesarean, in this one-day interactive workshop you will learn:

• How your body works in labour and why

• How to create up to 30% more space in your pelvis for your baby’s birth

• How to turn fear into positive action

• How to use movement, breathing, vocalisation, visualisation and keyword

• What to wear, what to take and what questions to ask

• Invaluable ways your partner can really help, working with you as a team

The workshop teaches preparation for labour and birth, skills for relaxation, the importance of movement and positioning and includes a special focus on skills and techniques for keeping birth normal and avoiding unnecessary interventions. You will also learn how to use decision-making tools, which enable you to birth your way.

The workshop combines group activities, discussions, practical exercises, role-plays, videos and written materials* to bring you an inspiring and enjoyable learning experience. You will come away from the workshop feeling prepared and confident to meet the challenge of labour your way.

The information and skill development provided by this workshop is rarely included in hospital antenatal classes. The workshop is informative, empowering and lots of fun! Suitable from 20 weeks.

"I'll just say I'm SO glad we got to go to your workshop - definitely well worth it.  It really builds up the mum-to-be's self confidence in the whole birthing process and her body's capabilities. I'm actually looking forward to going into labour!" Erna, Karratha WA

"Thanks again for the workshop - we're still raving about it to other people." Megan, Karratha WA  

"Learning how the pelvis is designed for birth, how it moves and how different positions can either open or close it, was a highlight for me.  It was great to learn how our bodies are designed for labour and I definitely feel more informed, inspired and confident with my body's capabilities."  Mum-to-be, Karratha WA

"I really like how there was an opportunity to ask questions and dicsuss particular points.  I loved hearing about personal experiences and seeing the role-plays of what labour may look like - gutsy and valuable!  I now feel stimulated to continue discussing our choices and visualising scenarios with my partner." M, Karratha WA 

"I really liked the atmosphere you created.  The role-plays, intervention game, open discussion (not to mention your acting) were the parts I enjoyed the most. I can say now I am excited and can't wait for it!"  Dan, Dampier WA

"I really liked the sense of empowerment I got from the workshop, knowing there are things I can control.  I liked the openness of the discussions, practising birth positions and working through the process of labour. It was all great and of complete relevance. I now feel informed, empowered and able!"  First time Mum-to-be, Newman WA

"The workshop was a real eye-opener to me,  I wasnt aware of all the choices and  alternatives available to us." Camille, Newman WA

“We both really enjoyed the workshop, and have been spreading the word to all the newly pregnant ladies around at the moment!”   Narelle, Karratha WA

Dates: Priority is given according to due date so please book early so you have lots of time to practise the techniques before labour begins. The workshop is limited to 6 women with partners/support people so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please contact Kristin for the upcoming dates.

Time: The workshop is run over two consecutive mornings from 9.30 - 1.30pm (Saturdays or Sundays) Although the workshop is suitable for women from 20 to 40 weeks, the earlier you attend the more time you and your partner will have to practice the skills and techniques learnt during the workshop, in preparation for labour.

Venue: TBA

Cost: $250.00* per couple.

* Private health fund rebates may apply – please check with your fund.
* You are welcome to bring along an extra support person to the workshop – especially those that will be with you in labour.

* Includes:
Preparing for Birth – Mothers by Andrea Robertson
Preparing for Birth - Fathers by Andrea Robertson
The BodyWise BirthWise Workbook and materials

What the Mums are saying:

“The workshop was fantastic and it feels as though my husband and I are really on the same page now. We both thought it was really interesting, exciting and also stimulating. I feel so empowered – I am a woman, I know what I’m doing and my body was made for this!”        Bronte & Kris – Tom Price, WA

"Thank you so much for workshop. We found it so useful and informative and wish we had attended this 13 years ago when we had our first child. You are a fantastic educator and you have produced a very professional workshop. The notes and handouts are really good and have provided us with lots to think about and ponder, but I think by far the most useful part of the workshop was the experiential practicing and role-playing. I know that this will help me enormously.” F & M – Karratha, WA (baby no.3, home waterbirth)

“I’d describe the workshop as interesting, informative, relaxing yet exciting, and at times humorous! I feel much more positive about the upcoming experience and so much more positive that I CAN do it naturally.”  G & P Tanswell – Wickham, WA

“I found the birthing videos very helpful, they gave me an appreciation of what to expect for labour and birth. I ended up having an unassisted water birth with my baby born with his membranes still intact!”   T & D – Karratha, WA

“I now have a better understanding of how to deal with labour pains and how to help myself make it easier on my body”.
L & C – Karratha, WA

“The workshop was excellent – we both got a lot out of it and certainly feel more confident and empowered to have our baby as naturally as possible.”
S & P – Karratha, WA

“We thought the workshop was excellent. I enjoyed the casual format of the presentations and discussions, and the practical aspects. We also thought the small numbers were great. I feel more confident now that my body will do the right thing in and labour and birth. I feel very reassured that I can birth naturally and I now have new skills of how to self manage the journey of the birthing pains. All very interesting, reassuring and a great confidence builder.”   N & S – Karratha, WA.

“The workshop was excellent. I got to feel like less of a minority regarding our decision to water birth at home. Thanks Kristin.” Donna & Justin – Karratha, WA

“The workshop was awesome. I enjoyed hearing about other alternatives and methods to giving birth. I feel both inspired and slightly overwhelmed about the whole experience!”
Rachel & Paul – Karratha, WA

“I’d describe the workshop as interesting, informative, relaxing yet exciting, and at times humorous! I feel much more positive about the upcoming experience and so much more positive that I CAN do it naturally.”  G & P Tanswell – Wickham, WA

“The workshop was great, fun and informative. Its what every woman should know about giving birth naturally. A great empowering tool!   S & K – Wickham, WA 

What the Dads are saying:

“I feel better educated to make informed choices and have more control over our birthing experience. I am also more confident of the processes involved and what I can do to help.” F & M – Karratha, WA   (3rd baby home waterbirth)

“A great experience, thank you for sharing this moment.”  Donna & Justin – Karratha, WA

“I am really glad to be thinking about birth in a positive way and as a totally natural thing after the workshop. Excellent.”  Rachel & Paul – Karratha, WA

“I liked how my partner’s fears were eased a lot more than before we came. I also feel more relaxed at what is about to happen. I thought Kristin presented the workshop in a positive, friendly and balanced manner”.
L & C – Karratha, WA

“I enjoyed hearing the ‘other side to the story‘. The workshop filled in all the gaps and answered the questions we still had with after the hospital antenatal classes. Thankyou!” J & G, Karratha

Reunion

A reunion is arranged for about 6 weeks after the last baby in the group is born. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, meet each other’s babies and share stories so far.

1. How does the Active Birth Workshop differ from hospital antenatal classes?

The main differences are the structure, the learning strategies and the ‘message’. Many hospital antenatal classes have the underlying message of ‘this is what you can expect to happen when you birth in this hospital’. This is often referring to routine procedures and policies and what the majority of women go on to experience. The workshop places emphasis on the practical and useful skills for labour and birth. The day involves group interaction and participation, lots of practise, pain ‘mastery’ strategies, the power of partner support and has a special focus on how to keep things normal and to avoid unnecessary interventions.

It provides information on evidence-based practise and also promotes informed choice. The workshop aims to build confidence and inspire rather than overwhelm and frighten couples like many report feeling after leaving antenatal classes.

2. What should I wear and what do I need to bring?

Clothes that are comfortable for moving and resting; its best women wear pants rather than skirts. A bottle of water, notepad and pen for jotting down ideas if you like and your Preparing for Birth manuals. You will receive these by post when your place in the workshop is confirmed. As we do activities on the floor, beanbags, small and/or large pillows all help ensure your comfort. Fit-balls are also welcome. You’ll also be advised of lunch details once your place is confirmed.

3. If I do the workshop, do I need to attend the hospital classes?

This is up to you and your partner to decide. Many couples attend the hospital classes for various reasons, just as couples attend the Active Birth Workshop for various reasons. Some couples are satisfied with the information and experience of the BodyWise BirthWise program(s) that they don’t feel the need to attend the hospital classes. Whilst some attend the hospital classes before, during or after the BodyWise BirthWise sessions and will always gain something from their efforts. Many couples comment on how different the approaches to labour and birth are and how they felt more confident attending the hospital classes after what they had experienced within the sessions. Some couples find meeting a few of the midwives, touring the labour ward and having the opportunity to ask specific questions regarding hospital policy helps shape their birth preferences.

4. Does my partner have to attend too?

It is recommended that whomever you choose to support you in labour attend the workshop with you. The workshop covers partner support strategies and provides the opportunity to discuss and practise these. You are also invited to bring along an ‘extra support person’ to the workshop, ie. those who will be providing support to you during your labour.

5. When is the best time in my pregnancy to attend?

It is suitable any time after 20 weeks. Some couples attend later in their pregnancy to ensure things stay ‘fresh in their minds’ whilst others are there in their 20th week. The earlier you attend the more time you have to research your options in response to what you discover you value around your baby’s birth and your birth preferences. There is no right or wrong time to attend – it will just be fantastic that you have!

• Private, public, birth centre or home?
• Pain in labour - your hormones are your helpers
• Epidurals - the real risks for mother and baby
• Your Birth Plan
• If your baby is breech
• Preparing the perineum for birth
• VBAC - on whose terms?
• VBAC - what to expect?