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Getting To Know Calmbirth Educator Amy Watson

Educators

Amy is a registered Nurse, Midwife, Maternal and Child Health Nurse, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Calmbirth Educator based in Melbourne. She has been caring for women, children and the wider family in both the hospital and community setting for over 10 years.

“I started both my nursing and midwifery careers at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia’s largest specialist hospital for women and newborns. During my time at the Women’s, I attended hundreds of births and thoroughly enjoyed caring for women and their babies in the early postpartum period. I also had the privilege of representing the hospital as a nurse/ midwife providing experiential evidence in Australia’s 2015 Royal Commission into Family Violence and was interviewed by the Australian Nursing Journal as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager of the Women’s Emergency Department.

“More recently, I have been working as a Maternal and Child Health Nurse in my local and neighbouring community and have completed further studies as an IBCLC Lactation Consultant. I meet with parents usually within the first week of having their baby and provide support until their child reaches primary school years. Being a part of someone’s early parenting journey is a privilege and watching parents grow and thrive with their baby and as a family unit is the best part of my work!

“I first came across Calmbirth when caring for women in labour and birth as a Midwife. I was amazed at how informed, calm and welcoming these birthing women and their partners/ support team were! I noticed how different these couples approached the day of welcoming their baby into the world. There was not fear and panic, the couples who had attended the Calmbirth course evoked a strong and positive mindset, a clear vision of their labour and birthing experience and had also discussed and planned their birth preferences and wishes. The couples who had attended the Calmbirth course were often very informed and equipped with their own strategies as the labour amplified to new levels. As a midwife, I stood in awe of these willing women, supportive partners and intimate holding circle of support, working together as an epic birthing team. The women welcomed the sensations of a progressing labour and were confident in bringing their baby’s into the world. These were amazing labour and births to be a part of and a privilege to witness as a Midwife.

With knowledge comes confidence”…this could not be more true!

“In 2019, when it came to preparing for my first labour and birth, I too attended the Calmbirth course. The philosophy and evidence-based content was perfectly aligned with my values and in supporting my positive mindset surrounding physiological labour and birth. Although knowing much of the theory already due to being a Midwife, the course further developed my confidence in my body and the amazing ability to birth. My partner thoroughly enjoyed the course, preparing him of the work involved and equipped him with strategies to support me. Since the course, I have experienced two positive and transformative births and we are now proud parents of two beautiful daughters!”

 

 

My name…Amy Watson

I work as…a registered Nurse/ Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse in Melbourne. I care for women, children and the wider family in the community from birth to primary school years. I meet with parents usually within the first week of having their baby and provide support in early postpartum recovery, the emotional transitions of parenthood and offer guidance in breastfeeding as an IBCLC Lactation Consultant. Within my role, I also assess and provide health information surrounding child development, growth, nutrition and facilitate First Time Parent Groups. I love my job! I thoroughly enjoy building a relationship with each family and being a trusted point of contact for parents as they navigate the early years of family life with their little ones.

My life in five words…Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Dog lover.

The best thing about where I live…I live right near the Yarra Valley wine region. I love the sense of space with beautiful scenery with everything so green! There are great parks for the kids and great wine for the adults! 

What I do to relax when I’m not working…I prefer to read books than watch TV! Fresh air – taking the dogs for a walk ( more like they take me for a walk though), park dates with my kids, or a coffee catch up with a girlfriend.

I can’t live without…my family and my friends. Coffee is also up there!

The person or traits I most admire is…my parents – nurturing, supportive and driven.

What I love most about being a Calmbirth educator...the motivation of the couples… they come to gain knowledge and you see them leave confident and excited, it’s amazing to be a part of their growth and journey!

If I had to describe my own birth experiences in 3 words…Empowering. Transformative. Euphoric.

The 3 essential things you need to take with you into labour are…

  1. Knowledge – learning about labour and birth with information and practical strategies to use on the day… ‘With knowledge comes confidence’
  2. A support person or team of people who know your wishes/ preferences, who can keep you grounded in a positive headspace and believe that you can do this!
  3. An epic labour playlist that you have created with music that makes your heart sing emotionally and spiritually.

My most memorable moment as Calmbirth® educator… Receiving feedback from couples that had attended my Calmbirth course stating they now felt informed and much more confident heading into their labour and birth

A favourite quote…“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher”

If I had to describe how seeing a baby being born makes me feel...Profound.

You can follow me at…@calmbirthwithamy on Instagram 
Calmbirth with Amy – Facebook business page

My next Calmbirth courses are: late March/ April

 

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