Hello. I am Talia Gevaerd de Souza, Calmbirth Educator for Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

Pregnancy, birth and the first year with the baby have been a passion for me for most of my life, besides my own mothering journey.

Having been working with women nearly all my life, I would say I have been learning so much with each one of them. I admire the strength, the determination, the beauty… Once a mother said to me: “A woman must give birth with the truth”. I try to keep my channels open to keep learning with every woman that looks for my services.

Being a Calmbirth Educator means that I can work with a program that works. Every Calmbirth workshop for me is a time to connect with the new parents and their babies, which feels like an honour and a privilege. Time flies with the blend of information, fun, activities, music and relaxation that happens in an atmosphere of affection, hope and growing confidence.

I have 2 children, a boy and a girl born at home with the help of fantastic midwives. Both births were profound inner journeys for me. I felt free to go deep inside myself. Besides being the portal through which I could bring my children to life, I learned about myself, grew stronger and evolved. Those were 2 of the most fantastic experiences I have ever had.

When thinking about 3 essential things you could take with you into labour, I would say your Calmbirth breathing techniques, a calm and focused mind, and freedom for the body.

I am lucky and blessed to have witnessed hundreds of babies being born. It is simply the miracle of life unfolding, hard to put in words the feelings of love, joy, the power and the beauty of both a woman giving birth and a baby being born.

You can follow me both on Instagram (@talia_gevaerd_de_souza) or Facebook (Talia Gevaerd de Souza).

For my next Calmbirth courses, you can check www.healthpoint.co.nz