Since 2018, I’ve embarked on a deeply fulfilling journey as a midwife at the largest tertiary hospital in the southern hemisphere. My days are spent primarily in the vibrant, dynamic atmosphere of the birth suite, where I blend clinical expertise with compassionate care to support families through the miracle of childbirth.
In addition to my hospital duties, I find immense joy in teaching parent education classes, where my goal is to create a nurturing and empowering space for expecting individuals and couples. Through evidence-based antenatal, labour, birth, and postnatal education, I strive to equip families with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this transformative journey.
My passions lie in empowering women through education. Women deserve to be encouraged to speak their mind and make decisions that are important to them.
Outside of my role as a midwife, I cherish the simple pleasures of life. You’ll often find me enjoying leisurely walks that inevitably lead to brunch spots with friends, savouring both the food and the laughter shared. And when I seek solace and comfort, nothing beats the warm cuddles from my two beautiful sausage dogs, who never fail to bring light and joy into my world.
My Name is…Andrea Buckler, often called Andi by family and friends.
I work at…The Mater Mothers Hospital in Birthsuite, the pregnancy assessment centre and Parent Education. I am also the founder of Nurture and Nest Birth Education.
My life in five words…I am so unbelievably lucky.
The best thing about where I live…Endless sunshine, friendly people and beautiful walks along the river.
What I do to relax when I’m not working…is take my beautiful, sassy sausage dogs out for a walk and usually find myself at a café somewhere.
I can’t live without…my incredible family and friends, cuddles with my pups and a good glass of wine to unwind.
The person or traits I most admire is…Resilience, compassion, and the ability to spread happiness wherever you go.
What I love most about being a Calmbirth Educator…is helping empower expecting couples to find their voice through education.
The 3 essential things you need to take with you into labour are…
- Trust: in yourself, your partner, and your baby to navigate labour and birth in the best way possible.
- Birth preferences: Having a clear, well-communicated birth plan can help ensure that your preferences are respected during labour and delivery. This document outlines your preferences for pain management, medical interventions, labour positions, and any other important aspects of your birth experience. I recommend being comfortable with this being preferences and a way of understanding the twists and turns labour can take you.
- Comfort Measures: There’s so many ways to ensure comfort in labour, I always recommend bringing or having in your birth space in things that bring you joy, comfort and remind you of safety. Packing items like comfortable clothing, snacks, water, massage tools, music, or relaxation aids can help you stay as comfortable as possible during labour.
My most memorable moment at as Calmbirth® educator…receiving a message and photo of a couple who said “the birth was everything we could have wished for”. She was in awe of her body, mind and baby. She birthed her beautiful boy into the water just as she had visualised.
A favourite quote…“There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them, accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it.”- Sheryl Feldman
If you had to describe how seeing a baby being born makes you feel…Overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. Witnessing the miracle of life unfold before my eyes reaffirms my passion for midwifery and fills me with immense joy.
You can follow me at…@nurturennest and nurtureandnestbirtheducation.com.au
My next Calmbirth courses are:
14th and 28th July
11th and 25th August