Resources To Empower A Positive Birth Experience
A positive birth experience is possible for you.
To help you expand your knowledge and belief around what is possible, we have linked to a bunch of informative resources below.
Our wish for you is to have the birth you want. That you have a positive and empowering birth experience. And feel truly supported and held by your birthing team and by your partner, in the lead up to, during and after the arrival of your baby.
Open your heart and mind as you explore the articles, books, videos and podcasts below.
Articles & Birthing Resources
The Holistic Stages of Birth — this is a beautiful and inspiring explanation of the journey of labour and birth into motherhood
The Face of Birth — an inspiring look at how wonderful birth can be
Our Birth Plan — my husband Scott and I created this birth plan to guide both our private midwife and doula, and also the staff at the hospital in case we were transferred there
The 35 Week Freak Out: Turning it Around — by Nisha Gill, Doula and Birth Educator
Do you really need prenatal classes? — why you should consider childbirth education
Ecstatic Birth E-Book* — by Dr Sarah Buckley, GP with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning.
*Sign up to Dr Buckley’s newsletter to receive a copy of her Ecstatic Birth E-Book which explores the superb design of your body and baby for labour and birth, how nature’s hormonal blueprint promotes safety, ease and pleasure for you and your baby from pregnancy right through to breastfeeding and bonding, and the impact common maternity-care interventions have on your ecstatic hormones and your post-birth experiences.
The Cascade of Intervention — this article explores the impact and flow-on-effects of decisions made about birth
Rhea Dempsey — Rhea Dempsey is one of Australia’s most revered Childbirth Educators and Birth Attendants. She shares some wonderful resources on her website, including links to articles and birthing resources.
Midwives Australia — provides information about the support midwives offer and a directory of registered midwives across Australia.
Positive Birth Stories
Grace’s Birth Story — Steph Lowe, The Natural Nutritionist, shares her birth story in an honest, open and approachable way (reading it brought tears to my eyes)
Books
The Down to Earth Birth Book by Jenny Blyth — a practical guide to natural birth
Birth With Confidence: Savvy choices for normal birth by Rhea Dempsey — savvy choices for normal birth
Ina May Gaskin’s books — Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, PhD(Hon.) dedicated her life to teaching and advocating safe, woman-centred childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child.
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley — A doctor’s guide to natural childbirth and early parenting choices
Birth Education Classes
Birth Beat — comprehensive online childbirth classes created by an experienced midwife
Calmbirth® Childbirth Education Classes — Australia’s most highly acclaimed and trusted childbirth education program
Podcasts & Webinars
The Awakened Pregnancy Podcast — intuitive life coach Kate Caddle shares an open and honest look into how you can invite self love, acceptance, connection and intuition into your day so you too, can have an incredible journey into Mamahood.
Building Better Babies — a special webinar series in which international experts share the latest and most up to date information to support you to have a healthy pregnancy, positive childbirth experience and happy baby.
Online Communities
Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby Facebook Group — come and belong to a supportive community of likeminded mamas also on their pregnancy journey and preparing to welcome their baby earthside.