As midwives, if there is one thing we advise to achieve a positive birth is…prepare for birth.
You wouldn’t run a marathon without preparing first, so why await your baby’s arrival without setting yourself up to have the best possible experience?
Healthcare professionals will surely provide some of the information you need but due to time restrictions they are unlikely to be able to cover the full spectrum of choices available to you.
Our courses give you the opportunity to feel empowered and take control over your experience, unafraid to ask questions and make plans for your baby’s birth that fit your unique wishes and needs. You will become familiar with the physiological process of labour. You will start seeing how a woman’s body has incredible resources to birth her baby, breaking down the modern belief that birth is inherently risky and medical interventions are to be expected. You will also learn how some of the routine maternity practices can be detrimental to labour progress and learn strategies to avoid and manage such scenarios. Through this process you will find a renewed sense of confidence in your ability to birth your baby.
Whether you’re planning to meet your baby in hospital or at home, whether you are waiting for them to choose their birthday, planning an induction or a caesarean section, whether you’re planning a waterbirth or an early epidural, our courses are targeted to support you to know your options and feel confident in making the best choices for you and your family.
How much will it hurt? Will I be able to cope with labour?
Most women are concerned about the pain they will feel in labour. Images from television shows and stories they might have heard from friends and family contribute to this idea that birth is excruciating, filling their minds and bodies with fearful apprehension as their due date approaches.
Sure, labour sensations are intense, often unpleasant, but they don’t have to lead to suffering. Just like your body was masterfully designed to grow your baby and give birth, it also has all the resources for you to cope with labour.
You can choose to manage the unpleasant sensations using a variety of effective methods or you can choose to avoid them by using medication to change them or eliminate them.
You are at choice, every step of the way. And your plans can change at any moment, depending on your wishes and needs.
Our mission is to help you explore the ins and outs of your options so you can be prepared and informed, and feel confident in your choices.