active birth workshop

At yogababy we are committed to couples having positive birth experiences. This active birth workshop explores practical ways to assist the labouring woman at birth. It is acknowledged that the birth experience can be greatly enhanced if the partner understands the rhythm of labour.  

It covers techniques not taught in other antenatal education classes. You will learn how to create a calm and reassuring atmosphere, to provide effective physical support and emotional comfort as needed.   It focuses on an undisturbed physiological birth and describes the benefits of an Active Birth. 

We have been doing this work for ten years, what we have noticed time and time again is that when the man is fully involved in the birth, working as a team with his partner, she falls in love with him all over again, consolidating the family triad. 

Birthing is both an internal and a learned experience. Women benefit greatly in birth with this self-knowledge and with a support team who help her work with her body. When a woman experiences the love, attention and touch of her partner during labour she will pass on these feelings to the baby.

"Active Birth is nothing new. Strong intention, relaxed body and an open mind are the main ingredients for an Active Birth." - Janet Balaskas (founder of Active Birth Movement)

To increase the potential of achieving an Active Birth it is recommended that the pregnant mother attend the Active Birth Yoga classes towards the end of her pregnancy to practice the Birth Skills presented in this workshop.

"Our midwife commented on how in-sync myself and my husband were, and how much strength I drew from him.  Thank you for giving him the confidence to support me using a variety of different methods" Past Student

Hear how other couples have experienced the workshop.

During the day long workshop we practice:

• Active Birth positioning
• Massage techniques to enhance labour
• Use of movement to reduce the effect of stress
• Use of the breath to relax and release inner tension
• Use of sound to connect with a woman's strength and power
• Relaxation skills to enhance the natural hormones of labour
• Natural forms of pain relief 
• Explore the roles of the people present at the labour
• Releasing fears
• Decision making model for dealing with the unexpected

 
The focus is on the partner's participation during the labour and how the birth itself is as much a team effort as the conception. This workshop complements hospital or other classes, and is also an excellent refresher for parents.

What workshop participants say:

"I just wanted to say thank you for the yoga classes and the active birth workshop. Both of these helped give me and my husband the information, tools and confidence to have the kind of birthing experience I really wanted - natural, drug free, exhilarating, thoroughly satisfying. My girl was born with waters still intact, after an 8 hour labour, most of which we spent at home. She was born in hospital in the shower, where I was kneeling with my elbows on a swiss ball, my arms straight and hands holding onto a grab bar on the wall. In all, I spent 20 mins of the labour on the bed. The whole experience just blew me away, and the recovery has gone extremely well. Your classes played an important part in making us feel empowered to be clear and firm about what we wanted, which the hospital staff respected. In fact, they seemed to quite enjoy the experience!"

"Your workshop gave me complete confidence in my ability to achieve a natural, active birth."

Skills mothers learn from the workshop:

* comforting methods
* understanding more about your choices at hospital
* more confidence to stay positive and trusting your instincts
* breathing and relaxation techniques
* practicing upright positions for labour with partner
* trust in self and partner - communicating on the same level

Skills fathers learn from the workshop:

* learning to remind her of movement techniques and options
* better understanding of the process of the birth and her needs
* how to create a suitable environment, emotionally and physically
* massage, breathing and focus techniques
* understanding of some of the techniques to aid in the birth process and help achieve a non-intervention birth

Time: Sunday 9.30am - 5.00pm @ Sowelu Centre, Paddington

Dates: 14th Mar (full)*, 11th April (full) , 16th May, 6th June, 18th July, 22nd Aug, 26th Sept, 17th Oct, 14th Nov, 5th Dec.  The workshop fills up quickly, prior booking time of 6-8 weeks is recommended.

Cost: $275 per couple (inc GST)

*See Active Birth Practical Sunday 28th March

Facilitator: Suzanne Swan(BA, Post Grad Dip of Psychology, Dip of Yoga for Pregnancy and Active Birth Education, Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth Attendant and Aware Parenting Instructor)

"Thank you for all your support during my pregnancy, you really put your heart and soul into what you do."

Registration Details: Advanced registration is required. Enrollment is limited, please register early to secure a space.