Learn more about our inspiring Calmbirth educators

Carmel Woods is a midwife working within the hospital system, and who has had the privilege of witnessing many amazing birth journeys.

Carmel Woods is a midwife working within the hospital system, and who has had the privilege of witnessing many amazing birth journeys.

Louise Luscri has been teaching Calmbirth since 2007. Over the past ten years she has met so many women and their partners who have used the Calmbirth skills in pregnancy, labour and birth which they report contributed to making a significant and positive difference in their lives.

Louise Luscri has been teaching Calmbirth since 2007. Over the past ten years she has met so many women and their partners who have used the Calmbirth skills in pregnancy, labour and birth which they report contributed to making a significant and positive difference in their lives.

The thing I love the most about teaching this program is how it involves partners in more than just a tokenistic way. Out of all the wonderful feedback I get after people have had their babies, the most consistent, is how amazing their partners were.

The thing I love the most about teaching this program is how it involves partners in more than just a tokenistic way. Out of all the wonderful feedback I get after people have had their babies, the most consistent, is how amazing their partners were.

Melinda is a mother of two young adults, a Dr. Chinese medicine and has been a Doula since 2008, preparing, educating and supporting women and their partners for labour and birth.

Melinda is a mother of two young adults, a Dr. Chinese medicine and has been a Doula since 2008, preparing, educating and supporting women and their partners for labour and birth.

Calmbirth would like to wish its Founder and only male Calmbirth Educator, Peter Jackson, a very happy Father’s Day this Sunday. We would like to thank him for his passion, work, and dedication he has shown in revolutionising childbirth education in Australia and making a difference in the world and to pregnant couples.

Calmbirth would like to wish its Founder and only male Calmbirth Educator, Peter Jackson, a very happy Father’s Day this Sunday. We would like to thank him for his passion, work, and dedication he has shown in revolutionising childbirth education in Australia and making a difference in the world and to pregnant couples.

Kath is a Registered Midwife currently working in a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne. Working with women everyday in a busy Birth Centre, I’ve noticed how a calm environment could influence the birth of a baby and therefore the woman’s experience.  

Kath is a Registered Midwife currently working in a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne. Working with women everyday in a busy Birth Centre, I’ve noticed how a calm environment could influence the birth of a baby and therefore the woman’s experience.  

Lea has been a midwife for over 20 years within the hospital system as well as working as a Private practise elegible midwife for “Optimal Midwifery”. She is also a registered Calmbirth® Educator and believes the Calmbirth® program is an amazing and empowering opportunity for women and families in the community.

Lea has been a midwife for over 20 years within the hospital system as well as working as a Private practise elegible midwife for “Optimal Midwifery”. She is also a registered Calmbirth® Educator and believes the Calmbirth® program is an amazing and empowering opportunity for women and families in the community.

Monika is a Registered Midwife, Nurse and antenatal educator.

Monika is a Registered Midwife, Nurse and antenatal educator.

Tracey Anderson Askew has many qualifications such as: A Diploma of Teaching; Bachelor of Education; Graduate Diploma of Childbirth Education; Calmbirth® Educator; and Doula. However, her most important and cherished qualification, is being a mother of four sons.

Tracey Anderson Askew has many qualifications such as: A Diploma of Teaching; Bachelor of Education; Graduate Diploma of Childbirth Education; Calmbirth® Educator; and Doula. However, her most important and cherished qualification, is being a mother of four sons.

Kristal Byrne is a practising Registered Nurse, Midwife and childbirth educator working in Wangaratta. She is a busy wife and mother of two girls but always finds time for her other passion.

Kristal Byrne is a practising Registered Nurse, Midwife and childbirth educator working in Wangaratta. She is a busy wife and mother of two girls but always finds time for her other passion.

“My passion to become a midwife and Calmbirth educator stems from my own births as a young woman.  I have three beautiful children but I approached each of their births with fear and anxiety, and I believe it was fate that some years later I applied and was accepted into nursing school .   

“My passion to become a midwife and Calmbirth educator stems from my own births as a young woman.  I have three beautiful children but I approached each of their births with fear and anxiety, and I believe it was fate that some years later I applied and was accepted into nursing school .   

Karen McClay is the Director of Calmbirth®PTY LTD. She is also a Southern Highlands Calmbirth Educator, practising Registered Midwife (RM), and a Registered Nurse (RN) and is the daughter of the founder of Calmbirth®, Peter Jackson.

Karen McClay is the Director of Calmbirth®PTY LTD. She is also a Southern Highlands Calmbirth Educator, practising Registered Midwife (RM), and a Registered Nurse (RN) and is the daughter of the founder of Calmbirth®, Peter Jackson.

Rosie lives on a farm with her husband, & two children. It was after doing the Calmbirth program with her partner 5 years ago (before the birth of their first child), that she knew it was something she was passionate to pursue.

Rosie lives on a farm with her husband, & two children. It was after doing the Calmbirth program with her partner 5 years ago (before the birth of their first child), that she knew it was something she was passionate to pursue.

Lael Stone has spent the last 15 years working in Childbirth Education and postnatal care. She has worked as a doula for 12 years and as a Calmbirth Educator for 10 years.

Lael Stone has spent the last 15 years working in Childbirth Education and postnatal care. She has worked as a doula for 12 years and as a Calmbirth Educator for 10 years.

Bec is a Registered Midwife and Calmbirth Educator. Over the past 12 years of clinical practice she has always loved educating, empowering and assisting couples before, during and after their birthing process.

Bec is a Registered Midwife and Calmbirth Educator. Over the past 12 years of clinical practice she has always loved educating, empowering and assisting couples before, during and after their birthing process.

Dawn Worgan is a passionate midwife with more than 30 years experience. She works across the full scope of the midwifery practice, in a continuity of care (caseload) model.

Dawn Worgan is a passionate midwife with more than 30 years experience. She works across the full scope of the midwifery practice, in a continuity of care (caseload) model.

Sue Doogan has been a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Maternal & Child Health Nurse for well over 25 years.

Sue Doogan has been a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Maternal & Child Health Nurse for well over 25 years.

My name is Brooke Cooper and I’m a Registered Nurse and Midwife with a combined 11 years’ experience. I am the mother of 2 beautiful girls and was fortunate to have used Calmbirth® for both of my births which were very different from each other and can say first hand that I found it invaluable.

My name is Brooke Cooper and I’m a Registered Nurse and Midwife with a combined 11 years’ experience. I am the mother of 2 beautiful girls and was fortunate to have used Calmbirth® for both of my births which were very different from each other and can say first hand that I found it invaluable.

Gwen began training as a doula after the birth of her first child in 2002, as she found herself wanting to be a part of the ‘birth world’.

Gwen began training as a doula after the birth of her first child in 2002, as she found herself wanting to be a part of the ‘birth world’.

Kate Corbett is a midwife and mother of three young children. Her passion lies in assisting birthing couples to discover and develop their inner strengths for pregnancy, birth and beyond so that they may approach their baby’s birth feeling calm, confident and empowered.

Kate Corbett is a midwife and mother of three young children. Her passion lies in assisting birthing couples to discover and develop their inner strengths for pregnancy, birth and beyond so that they may approach their baby’s birth feeling calm, confident and empowered.

Her passion to become a Calmbirth® educator was driven by both her professional and personal experiences. She is a registered nurse, midwife and ‘mother’ to two beautiful girls.

Her passion to become a Calmbirth® educator was driven by both her professional and personal experiences. She is a registered nurse, midwife and ‘mother’ to two beautiful girls.

We are so excited to announce that Calmbirth Educator, Jessica Cuneo, will be joining Karen and Peter in the Southern Highlands Calmbirth Centre in Mittagong to teach our highly acclaimed and trusted Calmbirth program.

Jessica is a Registered and practicing Midwife, and a Registered Nurse specialising in Paediatrics.

We are so excited to announce that Calmbirth Educator, Jessica Cuneo, will be joining Karen and Peter in the Southern Highlands Calmbirth Centre in Mittagong to teach our highly acclaimed and trusted Calmbirth program.

Jessica is a Registered and practicing Midwife, and a Registered Nurse specialising in Paediatrics.

We are so pleased to announce that Calmbirth Educator, Jenna Troy, will be joining Karen, Peter and Jessica in the Southern Highlands Calmbirth Centre in Mittagong to teach our highly acclaimed and trusted Calmbirth program.

Jenna is a Registered Nurse and Midwife who has enjoyed working in all areas and facets of Maternity but has found birth suite her calling.

We are so pleased to announce that Calmbirth Educator, Jenna Troy, will be joining Karen, Peter and Jessica in the Southern Highlands Calmbirth Centre in Mittagong to teach our highly acclaimed and trusted Calmbirth program.

Jenna is a Registered Nurse and Midwife who has enjoyed working in all areas and facets of Maternity but has found birth suite her calling.

We are so excited to announce that the Calmbirth program will be available for ALL pregnant couples living in the sutherland shire and surrounding area at the Sutherland Hospital in March. 

We are equally just as excited to announce that midwife and Calmbirth Educator, Alisha Dewes will be teaching the Calmbirth program at Sutherland Hospital. We would like you to get to know her a little better…Getting to know Alisha Dewes.

We are so excited to announce that the Calmbirth program will be available for ALL pregnant couples living in the sutherland shire and surrounding area at the Sutherland Hospital in March. 

We are equally just as excited to announce that midwife and Calmbirth Educator, Alisha Dewes will be teaching the Calmbirth program at Sutherland Hospital. We would like you to get to know her a little better…Getting to know Alisha Dewes.

There is often an element of fear, worry, concern or anxiety associated with labour and birth. Sometimes, these feelings can be so strong, that they can delay or affect decisions to start a family, limit family size, or have an impact on pregnancy and birth itself.

There is often an element of fear, worry, concern or anxiety associated with labour and birth. Sometimes, these feelings can be so strong, that they can delay or affect decisions to start a family, limit family size, or have an impact on pregnancy and birth itself.

Debbie Peters is a mum and certified Calmbirth Educator, who successfully used the Calmbirth relaxation techniques for the birth of her own daughter, Waimarie (9lb 6oz), without any need for drugs. She had such an amazing birth experience that she wanted to share this knowledge so became a Calmbirth Educator so that she could build and instil confidence in other pregnant couples.

Debbie Peters is a mum and certified Calmbirth Educator, who successfully used the Calmbirth relaxation techniques for the birth of her own daughter, Waimarie (9lb 6oz), without any need for drugs. She had such an amazing birth experience that she wanted to share this knowledge so became a Calmbirth Educator so that she could build and instil confidence in other pregnant couples.

Calmbirth Educator Vida Rye is a passionate advocate for physiological birth whether it be at home, in hospital or in a birth centre and she is very active in her local birthing community. She has worked as a birth and postnatal doula (a trained birth companion and supporter after birth) in England in the community and also in Holloway Prison in London with women who were facing pregnancy and childbirth whilst serving their sentences/on remand before moving to Wellington, New Zealand in 2002.

Calmbirth Educator Vida Rye is a passionate advocate for physiological birth whether it be at home, in hospital or in a birth centre and she is very active in her local birthing community. She has worked as a birth and postnatal doula (a trained birth companion and supporter after birth) in England in the community and also in Holloway Prison in London with women who were facing pregnancy and childbirth whilst serving their sentences/on remand before moving to Wellington, New Zealand in 2002.

Birth is mysterious and there is no certainty as to how it will unfold, it is a journey with infinite possibilities. Birth challenges us to face this rather uncomfortable space of not knowing and surrendering to the unknown. Despite this uncertainty there is so much that can be done to prepare for birth in all its beautiful forms.

Birth is mysterious and there is no certainty as to how it will unfold, it is a journey with infinite possibilities. Birth challenges us to face this rather uncomfortable space of not knowing and surrendering to the unknown. Despite this uncertainty there is so much that can be done to prepare for birth in all its beautiful forms.

It’s amazing how newborns change the shapes of their heads in order to fit through the mother’s pelvis. 

It’s amazing how newborns change the shapes of their heads in order to fit through the mother’s pelvis. 

A woman’s body never ceases to amaze me!

A woman’s body never ceases to amaze me!

Maja completed her Midwifery in Germany in 2005. She has worked as a community midwife in Frankfurt, Germany, and as a hospital based midwife in Dublin. She now works as a midwife in Sydney in a Birth Centre and has been a Calmbirth Educator since 2017.We are so pleased to announce that Maja will be joining our team of Calmbirth Educators and will be teaching the Calmbirth Program at the NSPH starting on 16th& 23rd June.  

Maja completed her Midwifery in Germany in 2005. She has worked as a community midwife in Frankfurt, Germany, and as a hospital based midwife in Dublin. She now works as a midwife in Sydney in a Birth Centre and has been a Calmbirth Educator since 2017.We are so pleased to announce that Maja will be joining our team of Calmbirth Educators and will be teaching the Calmbirth Program at the NSPH starting on 16th& 23rd June.  

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You know you’re a Midwife when you see this image and the first thing you think is “6cm dilated” haha!Which leads me into the topic of vaginal examinations (aka VE or internals) in labour. Did you know that vaginal examinations have NO predictive value in determining how long your labour will last? Or when you will give birth?

6ｃｍ Ｄｉｌａｔｅd
You know you’re a Midwife when you see this image and the first thing you think is “6cm dilated” haha!Which leads me into the topic of vaginal examinations (aka VE or internals) in labour. Did you know that vaginal examinations have NO predictive value in determining how long your labour will last? Or when you will give birth?

If you’re hoping to avoid a medical induction, then trying some of these natural methods can sometimes send your body into labour. Here are our best tips for gently giving your body a nudge!

If you’re hoping to avoid a medical induction, then trying some of these natural methods can sometimes send your body into labour. Here are our best tips for gently giving your body a nudge!

WHY IS IT that when we get engaged, more often than not, we end up investing SO much financially, emotionally and psychologically in this one day! In the hope that EVERYTHING goes the way we want… that everything ‘goes to plan’ – everything from the weather, to the venue, to Aunty Jean behaving (and who the hell are we going to sit at the same table as Uncle Scott… God I hope he doesn’t get too drunk and embarrass us)… you feel me? 

WHY IS IT that when we get engaged, more often than not, we end up investing SO much financially, emotionally and psychologically in this one day! In the hope that EVERYTHING goes the way we want… that everything ‘goes to plan’ – everything from the weather, to the venue, to Aunty Jean behaving (and who the hell are we going to sit at the same table as Uncle Scott… God I hope he doesn’t get too drunk and embarrass us)… you feel me? 

Sarah Tooke is a registered midwife who works at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney. She is also a childbirth and parenting educator, as well as a registered Calmbirth Educator. 

Sarah Tooke is a registered midwife who works at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney. She is also a childbirth and parenting educator, as well as a registered Calmbirth Educator. 

Susie is a registered nurse, midwife and child and family health nurse. She is also a registered Calmbirth Educator who will be teaching the very sought after, highly acclaimed and TRUSTED Calmbirth Program at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney when it’s launched later in July this year.

Susie is a registered nurse, midwife and child and family health nurse. She is also a registered Calmbirth Educator who will be teaching the very sought after, highly acclaimed and TRUSTED Calmbirth Program at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney when it’s launched later in July this year.

‘The amniotic membrane is adhered to the chorion – the other membrane attached to the placenta that sits between the amniotic membrane and the uterus.’ These membranes look like one, but are in fact two.

‘The amniotic membrane is adhered to the chorion – the other membrane attached to the placenta that sits between the amniotic membrane and the uterus.’ These membranes look like one, but are in fact two.

In my twenty years as a midwife I have assisted and witnessed hundreds of beautiful births. I have also seen many women and their partners who are very afraid of birth and the effects of that fear. I wanted to find a way for women to learn about the resources they have within them, to help them understand what a wonderful and transformative experience birth can be. I studied Masters in Midwifery and taught antenatal classes for some time, but did not feel satisfied that the classes truly connected women and their partners with their inner potential. The classes really only looked at what was happening in the outside world and although worthy, did not address what was happening and could happen internally.

In my twenty years as a midwife I have assisted and witnessed hundreds of beautiful births. I have also seen many women and their partners who are very afraid of birth and the effects of that fear. I wanted to find a way for women to learn about the resources they have within them, to help them understand what a wonderful and transformative experience birth can be. I studied Masters in Midwifery and taught antenatal classes for some time, but did not feel satisfied that the classes truly connected women and their partners with their inner potential. The classes really only looked at what was happening in the outside world and although worthy, did not address what was happening and could happen internally.