Rachel Bridge is a Perinatal, child and family psychologist and author.She is also one of our Calmbirth expert contributors that prepares Resources for our Calmbirth couples on topics ranging from the postpartum period, setting expectations & parenting to name a few.
At Calmbirth we understand that expectant parents are struggling and doing it tough right now. Calmbirth wants to support you through your pregnancy, labour and birth during COVID -19, so we have developed the Calmbirth Care package.Our Calmbirth Care package for COVID -19 will allow us to provide pregnant couples access to quality and evidence based childbirth education at a time when they need it the most but may not be able to afford it. We also hope to inspire others who can afford it, to “pay it forward” and sponsor a couple to attend a Calmbirth course.
Due to the current threat of the Coronavirus and the increased risk of cross infection between class participants, all major maternity hospitals in Sydney have suspended face to face antenatal education classes.
It is anticipated that hospitals in other states will soon apply the same restrictions and private practitioners may also need to adopt the same boundaries. As a result of this pandemic, Calmbirth has come up with an innovative solution that enables pregnant couples, whose anxiety levels maybe peaking with all the uncertainties to still be able to access quality and evidence based childbirth education in a virtual classroom via ZOOM, where the couples can engage with other pregnant couples, their Calmbirth Educator as well as calm their fears about giving birth.
Pregnancy is usually a time of joy and nerves but the anxiety is only rising as the coronavirus continues to spread.Calm Birth owner Karen McClay tells Deborah Knight that the coronavirus is having a major impact on pregnant women. “There’s maternity units that are having to consider cutting down visitors and limiting who can actually go onto units as well, so there’s concern about what support people they can take with them.”She says they have tried to adjust to the new normal by moving programs online and using telehealth appointments.
