The BirthSkills Childbirth Preparation and Education Program is holistic, realistic and supportive.
It is unlike other independent childbirth programs in offering a variety of tools and techniques for you to practice and choose from. The techniques do not rely on you achieving 'hypnotic trance' during labour and are easily tailored to suit your needs and preferences.
The program covers the following areas:
Session 1 – Awareness, Beliefs, The Fear/Tension/Pain Syndrome, The Fight or Flight Response, How Fear Affects Labour, How the uterus works, Working with Your Uterus During Labour, Hormonal Activity During Labour, Working with your hormones during labour.
Session 2 - Trust Developing Trust Through Focus, Trust and Hypnosis/Deep Relaxation, Managing Pain During Birthing, Using MInd/Body Communication for the Management of Pain, How to achieve Self-hypnosis, Breath awareness, guided meditation.
Session 3 - Work, Breathing Techniques, Basic Physical Relaxation Techniques, Partner's Tool-Kit, Pre-Natal Bonding, Imagery and Visualisation, Massage, Affirmations, Physical Relaxation, Deepening Techniques, Your Birthing Body, Distraction Practice.
Session 4 – Choices Birth Choices Worksheet, Choosing a Comfortable Position for Efficient Labour and Birthing, Information relating to Choices and Possible Experiences. Expectations, Intentions, preparing for your own unique and positive birthing experience.
Session 5 - Welcome Birth Plans and Preferences, Welcome – The Four Stages of Labour. Early parenting (The fourth trimester, the 5 S's, trouble-shooting, postnatal depression/anxiety)
Additional – Empowerment Through Natural Therapies
BirthSkills ™
is a comprehensive independent childbirth education program created by Dr Shari Read, an Australian mind/body therapist (and
psychologist) specialising in preconception, pregnancy & postnatal
care. BirthSkills ™ is a
philosophy and an approach to birth and has been running in Australia since its
inception in 2003. Techniques
embodied in the BirthSkills Program aim to create calm, confident welcoming
birth.
The
BirthSkills Program draws upon current research in the fields of mind/body
medicine and birth as well as using a foundation of knowledge from childbirth
education pioneers such as Dr Grantly Dick-Read and Marie Mongan. Combining best practice childbirth
education with the use of evidence-based mind/body techniques, such as meditation,
CBT and the full spectrum of active birth techniques. These elements are shared with pregnant women and their
birth partners in the context of a workshop setting or private sessions. It is in this setting, the BirthSkills
Practitioner seeks to normalize and demystify the process of birth; share strategies to
create a calm atmosphere during labour and work through tried and true active birth
techniques.
BirthSkills ™
as founded by Shari has grown to become a program that is shared by a small
team of certified practitioners with birthing women across Australia. BirthSkills Practitioners are women who
come together to share their commitment to empowering birthing women through
education and professional support.
Practitioners have diverse backgrounds in fields associated with the
provision of quality care to pregnant women including midwives, childbirth
educators, naturopaths, yoga teachers, and birth attendants.
BirthSkills Practitioners are proud to provide tailored birth preparation classes that are designed to suit your individual needs and desired birth outcomes.To find out more about workshops or other sessions please click here.
Private sessions, with your partner, in your own home (or location of choice). Evening and weekend group or individual sessions available.
- in the ACT (Canberra) and distance preparation phone Shari on 0407 775 783 or email shari@birthskills.com.au
- in WA (SouthWest) - www.bellyflower.com.au phone Natalie on 0417 186 673 or email natalie@birthksills.com.au
- in SA (Adelaide) - www.mothernurture.com.au phone Donna on 0414 949 709 or email donna@birthskills.com.au
- in the Northern Territory (Darwin/Palmerston area) - www.fulfillingbirth.com.au or contact Jane on 0400 241 415 or patersonia@hotmail.com
- in Victoria (Melbourne) - www.mamashanti.com.au or contact Nina on 0432 078 899 or email shantinina@gmail.com
- in your time - BirthSkills products for self-paced learning can be purchased through The BirthSkills Shop
