We all know Peter Jackson as the Midwife and Founder of the Calmbirth childbirth education program in Australia.
We all know Peter Jackson as the Midwife and Founder of the Calmbirth childbirth education program in Australia.
As a psychologist in Bowral NSW working in perinatal psychology (supporting mothers from the time of conception, through pregnancy and into early childhood) I appreciate very much that the local community have access to the Calmbirth childbirth education program in Mittagong.
As a psychologist in Bowral NSW working in perinatal psychology (supporting mothers from the time of conception, through pregnancy and into early childhood) I appreciate very much that the local community have access to the Calmbirth childbirth education program in Mittagong.
When you ask a mother about the most memorable moments in her life, a time when she was full of joy, fear, excitement, love and pain, her answer will most probably be ‘childbirth’.
When you ask a mother about the most memorable moments in her life, a time when she was full of joy, fear, excitement, love and pain, her answer will most probably be ‘childbirth’.
Celia lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two young children. She is passionate about the empowerment of women in pregnancy and birth and assists women to achieve this through prenatal yoga, meditation and acupuncture.
Celia lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two young children. She is passionate about the empowerment of women in pregnancy and birth and assists women to achieve this through prenatal yoga, meditation and acupuncture.
There are lots of exercises that are safe during training and your current training plan can be modified to allow you to continue training though out all stages of pregnancy.
There are lots of exercises that are safe during training and your current training plan can be modified to allow you to continue training though out all stages of pregnancy.
Why is childbirth so feared in our society? I know for certain that I’m not the only woman who has enjoyed her labour and births.
Why is childbirth so feared in our society? I know for certain that I’m not the only woman who has enjoyed her labour and births.
Can the Calmbirth prenatal education classes make a positive contribution to the mental health of pregnant couple’s as well as to the children of the next generation?
And, what has happened to our humanity over recent times to create such an epidemic of mental health problems?
Can the Calmbirth prenatal education classes make a positive contribution to the mental health of pregnant couple’s as well as to the children of the next generation?
And, what has happened to our humanity over recent times to create such an epidemic of mental health problems?
By the time I was expecting my third baby I had been a doula and childbirth educator for a long time. I’d attended so many births, supported women in all types of birthing scenarios, witnessed trauma and joy, and interviewed hundreds of women about their birth experiences. Naively, I thought this meant I knew everything.
By the time I was expecting my third baby I had been a doula and childbirth educator for a long time. I’d attended so many births, supported women in all types of birthing scenarios, witnessed trauma and joy, and interviewed hundreds of women about their birth experiences. Naively, I thought this meant I knew everything.
Lets be honest, being a mum is hard work. The demands that today’s mothers are under are different to those of generations that came before, being time poor is one such challenge. Each generation has its own story.
Lets be honest, being a mum is hard work. The demands that today’s mothers are under are different to those of generations that came before, being time poor is one such challenge. Each generation has its own story.
It’s pretty much expected these days that your partner will be there for the birth of your baby. In fact, it’s seen as ‘strange’ if your partner isn’t present.
It’s pretty much expected these days that your partner will be there for the birth of your baby. In fact, it’s seen as ‘strange’ if your partner isn’t present.
When I talk about the topic of birth preferences, the general feedback from people is “we have heard if you have a birth plan, it won’t go to plan”. Most feel that they will leave their birth in the capable hands of their care providers as “they know best” and are the experts.
When I talk about the topic of birth preferences, the general feedback from people is “we have heard if you have a birth plan, it won’t go to plan”. Most feel that they will leave their birth in the capable hands of their care providers as “they know best” and are the experts.
There are so many beautiful benefits to labouring and birthing into warm water! It’s a wonderful way to help a woman to feel safe, calm and private!
There are so many beautiful benefits to labouring and birthing into warm water! It’s a wonderful way to help a woman to feel safe, calm and private!
“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” Glinda from The Wizard of OZ.What does the Wizard of OZ and Calmbirth have in common?Sitting and watching the legendary and classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” with my family, it dawned on me how many parallels can be drawn upon to the journey of labour, birth, parenting and our Calmbirth Program that enables and empowers couples to discover their own strength, courage and to trust themselves and each other. So, let me take you on this journey…
“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” Glinda from The Wizard of OZ.What does the Wizard of OZ and Calmbirth have in common?Sitting and watching the legendary and classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” with my family, it dawned on me how many parallels can be drawn upon to the journey of labour, birth, parenting and our Calmbirth Program that enables and empowers couples to discover their own strength, courage and to trust themselves and each other. So, let me take you on this journey…
Education is the key when your preparing to labour and birth. Without education and knowledge you may find it hard to speak your truth and advocate for what you desire throughout your labour and birth journey. This knowledge will give you the confidence in asking the question’s you need to ask in order to then make informed choices.Having a supportive care provider that you have built a relationship with would be great place to start when thinking about informed consent. You do have choices in the medical system you just need to ask.
Education is the key when your preparing to labour and birth. Without education and knowledge you may find it hard to speak your truth and advocate for what you desire throughout your labour and birth journey. This knowledge will give you the confidence in asking the question’s you need to ask in order to then make informed choices.Having a supportive care provider that you have built a relationship with would be great place to start when thinking about informed consent. You do have choices in the medical system you just need to ask.
I’ve created vision boards on and off over the years and didn’t really understand the depths of their incredible power until I recently attended a seminar by vision board guru, Barbara Pellegrino. Here are my learnings.
I’ve created vision boards on and off over the years and didn’t really understand the depths of their incredible power until I recently attended a seminar by vision board guru, Barbara Pellegrino. Here are my learnings.
Riki Copper is a Limitless Mindset Coach who has been working with Bob Proctor and the Proctor Gallagher Institute sinice 2017 to change peoples lives with results that stick – helping people to live happier, healthier and wealthier lives.”OUR MISSION is to assist in raising the level of conscious awareness of every individual who we come into contact with. We do this through facilitating key learnings in a number of self study and mentor programs,” says Riki. As a Mindset Coach, Riki uses some of these principles and shares his knowledge with pregnant couples to help them create the birth they want by using techniques such as visualisation in childbirth and tools to help pregnant couples change their thoughts, perceptions and feelings about birth – to help them create the birth they want by getting them to focus on ‘on what the birth they want actually looks like for them.
Riki Copper is a Limitless Mindset Coach who has been working with Bob Proctor and the Proctor Gallagher Institute sinice 2017 to change peoples lives with results that stick – helping people to live happier, healthier and wealthier lives.”OUR MISSION is to assist in raising the level of conscious awareness of every individual who we come into contact with. We do this through facilitating key learnings in a number of self study and mentor programs,” says Riki. As a Mindset Coach, Riki uses some of these principles and shares his knowledge with pregnant couples to help them create the birth they want by using techniques such as visualisation in childbirth and tools to help pregnant couples change their thoughts, perceptions and feelings about birth – to help them create the birth they want by getting them to focus on ‘on what the birth they want actually looks like for them.
Up until now, the fourth trimester or otherwise known as the postpartum period was seldom talked about. Today, this post partum period has been recognised as crucial not only for the healthy development of the baby, but also for the healing of the mother after birth and the transition to parenthood for both mother and father/partner alike.This is why we are collaborating with experts in the field of perinatal mental health and wellbeing to continue to offer support and confidence to new parents who may be feeling challenged or even overwhelmed with the complexities and emotional journey that becoming new parents brings. We are working together with Rachel Bridge, a psychologist and author who shares our passion and values in supporting families on their postpartum journey by providing much needed resources and strategies to cope during this very fragile time in a new parent’s life.
Up until now, the fourth trimester or otherwise known as the postpartum period was seldom talked about. Today, this post partum period has been recognised as crucial not only for the healthy development of the baby, but also for the healing of the mother after birth and the transition to parenthood for both mother and father/partner alike.This is why we are collaborating with experts in the field of perinatal mental health and wellbeing to continue to offer support and confidence to new parents who may be feeling challenged or even overwhelmed with the complexities and emotional journey that becoming new parents brings. We are working together with Rachel Bridge, a psychologist and author who shares our passion and values in supporting families on their postpartum journey by providing much needed resources and strategies to cope during this very fragile time in a new parent’s life.
Thinking will not overcome FEAR but ACTION will.Given I am passionate about teaching couples how to remain calm during labour & birth, one would assume that I am always calm myself.When things go to plan life is beautiful; I am totally calm & confident. However, recently things didn’t go to plan and I found myself submerged in a sea of fear; drowning my natural abilities to go with the flow.
Thinking will not overcome FEAR but ACTION will.Given I am passionate about teaching couples how to remain calm during labour & birth, one would assume that I am always calm myself.When things go to plan life is beautiful; I am totally calm & confident. However, recently things didn’t go to plan and I found myself submerged in a sea of fear; drowning my natural abilities to go with the flow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hi, I’m Karen McClay, I’m the the owner Director of Calmbirth, Midwife, mother and Calmbirth Educator. Now more than ever it’s crucial for pregnant couples to empower themselves with the best quality and evidence based childbirth education to prepare for labour & birth, so that you can work together as a team to birth your baby. The skills and tools you will learn in Calmbirth are tools for life and will help you to deal with your heightened levels of fear, anxiety and stress, especially in these uncertain times as you navigate your way to becoming new parents.
Hi, I’m Karen McClay, I’m the the owner Director of Calmbirth, Midwife, mother and Calmbirth Educator. Now more than ever it’s crucial for pregnant couples to empower themselves with the best quality and evidence based childbirth education to prepare for labour & birth, so that you can work together as a team to birth your baby. The skills and tools you will learn in Calmbirth are tools for life and will help you to deal with your heightened levels of fear, anxiety and stress, especially in these uncertain times as you navigate your way to becoming new parents.
It’s a challenging time for everyone at the moment particularly for pregnant women and those who are soon to birth. So it is important as a birth partner you can be the best support person you can be!
It’s a challenging time for everyone at the moment particularly for pregnant women and those who are soon to birth. So it is important as a birth partner you can be the best support person you can be!
Currently 1 in 4 women are being induced in Australia.Inductions can increase:The need for medical pain relief most commonly epiduralVacuum or forceps deliveryEmergency Caesarean sectionsWhen deciding to have an induction we are often evaluating ‘risks’. this term alone can provoke fear or anxiety and can inhibit a woman’s ability to make an informed decision. There is an element of risk in everything we do and we all perceive it differently. In making a decision about induction we are balancing the pros and cons, based on evidence based information/statistics in relation to the mother and baby’s health. Equally important is the emotional impact on the Mother, her concerns, fears and anxiety about inducing or not need to be considered.
Currently 1 in 4 women are being induced in Australia.Inductions can increase:The need for medical pain relief most commonly epiduralVacuum or forceps deliveryEmergency Caesarean sectionsWhen deciding to have an induction we are often evaluating ‘risks’. this term alone can provoke fear or anxiety and can inhibit a woman’s ability to make an informed decision. There is an element of risk in everything we do and we all perceive it differently. In making a decision about induction we are balancing the pros and cons, based on evidence based information/statistics in relation to the mother and baby’s health. Equally important is the emotional impact on the Mother, her concerns, fears and anxiety about inducing or not need to be considered.
As a parent educator till recently I would walk into a room filled with becoming parents and with knowledge, experience, my presence, my voice and my hands I would deliver good quality education mixed with the groups involvement, hands on as well as a slight twist of humour and a tinge of a German accent. Only recently I found myself walking into my bedroom to sit in front of a screen to teach Calmbirth to couples.
As a parent educator till recently I would walk into a room filled with becoming parents and with knowledge, experience, my presence, my voice and my hands I would deliver good quality education mixed with the groups involvement, hands on as well as a slight twist of humour and a tinge of a German accent. Only recently I found myself walking into my bedroom to sit in front of a screen to teach Calmbirth to couples.
The single biggest thing you need, is support! Emotional and physical support to help you through the ‘labour of love’. Its vital you have confidence in yourself and the birthing team around you (support people and hospital staff). Remember- SAFE SUPPORTED LOVED.Here is a list of all the things that I believe will most likely get used, rather than be lugged around to be unpacked again once home.
The single biggest thing you need, is support! Emotional and physical support to help you through the ‘labour of love’. Its vital you have confidence in yourself and the birthing team around you (support people and hospital staff). Remember- SAFE SUPPORTED LOVED.Here is a list of all the things that I believe will most likely get used, rather than be lugged around to be unpacked again once home.
Nitrous oxide is a gas that we breath in, which we can use in labour to help take the edge off the peak of the contraction.
Nitrous oxide is a gas that we breath in, which we can use in labour to help take the edge off the peak of the contraction.
Baby Wearing has huge benefits for everyone!!!For mums, your oxytocin levels are increased through physical contact, assisting with the maternal bond, easier breastfeeding, all leading to a lowering of the incidence of postnatal depression.
Baby Wearing has huge benefits for everyone!!!For mums, your oxytocin levels are increased through physical contact, assisting with the maternal bond, easier breastfeeding, all leading to a lowering of the incidence of postnatal depression.
The one million dollar question we get asked every day since the COVID -19 restrictions came into place is, “When will Calmbirth be resuming face to face antenatal classes?” I wish the answer was that simple that we could give you a definite answer. Even with ‘talk’ of some restrictions being eased off, we still have to practice social distancing within a classroom environment. Here is the latest recommendations and guidelines from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, that face to face antenatal courses are not recommended. So, don’t delay booking your Calmbirth ZOOM course and empowering yourself with knowledge and confidence to prepare for your birth because it looks like ZOOM will be here to stay for a while.
The one million dollar question we get asked every day since the COVID -19 restrictions came into place is, “When will Calmbirth be resuming face to face antenatal classes?” I wish the answer was that simple that we could give you a definite answer. Even with ‘talk’ of some restrictions being eased off, we still have to practice social distancing within a classroom environment. Here is the latest recommendations and guidelines from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, that face to face antenatal courses are not recommended. So, don’t delay booking your Calmbirth ZOOM course and empowering yourself with knowledge and confidence to prepare for your birth because it looks like ZOOM will be here to stay for a while.
Welcome to the Calmbirth Conversation Series!!During these conversations I will be talking with experts in the birthing and parenting fields to provide you with information to make informed decisions for birthing and parenting journeys.
Welcome to the Calmbirth Conversation Series!!During these conversations I will be talking with experts in the birthing and parenting fields to provide you with information to make informed decisions for birthing and parenting journeys.
A great conversation with Karen McClay, Director of Calmbirth and Melinda Webb from The Birthing Webb about the Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Labour & Birth.
A great conversation with Karen McClay, Director of Calmbirth and Melinda Webb from The Birthing Webb about the Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Labour & Birth.
Listen to me on Ready Together and let’s work together to give you your best birth experience.
Listen to me on Ready Together and let’s work together to give you your best birth experience.
During this conversation, Karen McClay, Midwife & Director of Calmbirth chats with Melinda Webb from The Birthing Webb (https://www.melindawebb.com.au). Melinda is a Dr of Chinese Medicine, a Doula and a Calmbirth educator. Here they talk about Doulas’ and how they support couples and families during labour & birth.
During this conversation, Karen McClay, Midwife & Director of Calmbirth chats with Melinda Webb from The Birthing Webb (https://www.melindawebb.com.au). Melinda is a Dr of Chinese Medicine, a Doula and a Calmbirth educator. Here they talk about Doulas’ and how they support couples and families during labour & birth.
I was so excted to discover the incredible resource that is the ‘Birth Map’ and to have a chat with Catherine all about what led her to creating it and how women, their caregivers and support people can use it. So what is Birth Mapping? “It’s a birth preparation process focused on making informed decisions for various possibilities, these are recorded in a personalised birth map, that is used by care providers and support people during your labour and birth”.This includes preparation for all birth scenarios as well as for after your baby is born and your postpartum.
I was so excted to discover the incredible resource that is the ‘Birth Map’ and to have a chat with Catherine all about what led her to creating it and how women, their caregivers and support people can use it. So what is Birth Mapping? “It’s a birth preparation process focused on making informed decisions for various possibilities, these are recorded in a personalised birth map, that is used by care providers and support people during your labour and birth”.This includes preparation for all birth scenarios as well as for after your baby is born and your postpartum.
Our gorgeous Calmbirth Educator Kathy Kitzis who offers our Calmbirth program in France talks to ‘Interested Podcast’ about Calmbirth and her personal experience as a mother. It’s such a powerful interview!!!
Our gorgeous Calmbirth Educator Kathy Kitzis who offers our Calmbirth program in France talks to ‘Interested Podcast’ about Calmbirth and her personal experience as a mother. It’s such a powerful interview!!!
Story by Claire Heenan, Media & Communications at Homebirth NSW & a Sydney-based birth and postpartum doula Choosing where to give birth and whom you’d like on your birth team is a significantly loaded decision in terms of how you are going to feel about your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Sometimes making a decision as important as this calls for starting with the vision in mind and asking yourself about the hopes and dreams you have for your birth. How do you visualise the birth of your baby? Are you hoping to avoid unnecessary intervention? Do you trust birth as a physiological journey? Of course, the evidence is important too, and as a doula and member of the Homebirth NSW committee, I am a big believer in marrying good quality evidence with a woman’s own intuitive knowing as to what will be best for her and her baby.”Babies being born where they are made. Midwives being ‘with woman’ in every sense. The woman, a warrior at the centre of her birth experience, handing her power to no one. Skin to skin in a woman’s own comfy bed, no rush or fuss. A baby, born into a warm, loving and familiar place; Home”, says Claire Heenan.
Story by Claire Heenan, Media & Communications at Homebirth NSW & a Sydney-based birth and postpartum doula Choosing where to give birth and whom you’d like on your birth team is a significantly loaded decision in terms of how you are going to feel about your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Sometimes making a decision as important as this calls for starting with the vision in mind and asking yourself about the hopes and dreams you have for your birth. How do you visualise the birth of your baby? Are you hoping to avoid unnecessary intervention? Do you trust birth as a physiological journey? Of course, the evidence is important too, and as a doula and member of the Homebirth NSW committee, I am a big believer in marrying good quality evidence with a woman’s own intuitive knowing as to what will be best for her and her baby.”Babies being born where they are made. Midwives being ‘with woman’ in every sense. The woman, a warrior at the centre of her birth experience, handing her power to no one. Skin to skin in a woman’s own comfy bed, no rush or fuss. A baby, born into a warm, loving and familiar place; Home”, says Claire Heenan.
Is your baby Breech or Posterior? When your baby isn’t in the ideal position.Most care providers would like your baby to be in the optimal fetal position – head down, however, this is not always the norm. Some babies don’t get that memo by 34 weeks!
Is your baby Breech or Posterior? When your baby isn’t in the ideal position.Most care providers would like your baby to be in the optimal fetal position – head down, however, this is not always the norm. Some babies don’t get that memo by 34 weeks!
During this conversation, Karen McClay, Midwife & Director of Calmbirth chats with Lael Stone & Marion Rose from Aware Parenting about raising children with awareness and connection.
During this conversation, Karen McClay, Midwife & Director of Calmbirth chats with Lael Stone & Marion Rose from Aware Parenting about raising children with awareness and connection.
Find out what the ‘magic’ is about the Calmbirth program and experience it for yourself – WHY THERE’S NO BIRTH LIKE A CALMBIRTH “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”Glinda from The Wizard of OZ.What does the Wizard of OZ and Calmbirth have in common?Sitting and watching the legendary and classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” with my family, it dawned on me how many parallels can be drawn upon to the journey of labour, birth, parenting and our Calmbirth Program that enables and empowers couples to discover their own strength, courage and to trust themselves and each other. So, let me take you on this journey…
Find out what the ‘magic’ is about the Calmbirth program and experience it for yourself – WHY THERE’S NO BIRTH LIKE A CALMBIRTH “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”Glinda from The Wizard of OZ.What does the Wizard of OZ and Calmbirth have in common?Sitting and watching the legendary and classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” with my family, it dawned on me how many parallels can be drawn upon to the journey of labour, birth, parenting and our Calmbirth Program that enables and empowers couples to discover their own strength, courage and to trust themselves and each other. So, let me take you on this journey…
I was very excited to contribute to Megan’s blog this month – we talk all things preparing for birth, Calmbirth and my own birth experiences.Megan is a wonderful Women’s Health Physio in Ballarat @kindredphysioI met Megan when I was having some trouble with blocked milk ducts and trying to avoid mastitis – she was so easy to talk to, caring and super knowledgable!I talk to all my clients about the importance of having a Women’s Health Physio in your ‘village’ to support you through pregnancy and postpartum, regardless of how you birth, they’re so valuable and important in your recovery.So get comfy with a cuppa (or two) as you might know by now I LOVE to share but don’t love keeping to a word count. I hope you find it valuable and enjoy reading as much as I loved writing it, and a very big thanks to Megan for the opportunity. Xx Lauretta
I was very excited to contribute to Megan’s blog this month – we talk all things preparing for birth, Calmbirth and my own birth experiences.Megan is a wonderful Women’s Health Physio in Ballarat @kindredphysioI met Megan when I was having some trouble with blocked milk ducts and trying to avoid mastitis – she was so easy to talk to, caring and super knowledgable!I talk to all my clients about the importance of having a Women’s Health Physio in your ‘village’ to support you through pregnancy and postpartum, regardless of how you birth, they’re so valuable and important in your recovery.So get comfy with a cuppa (or two) as you might know by now I LOVE to share but don’t love keeping to a word count. I hope you find it valuable and enjoy reading as much as I loved writing it, and a very big thanks to Megan for the opportunity. Xx Lauretta