In recent years of my life I have been consistently drawn to exploring the incredible journey that mothers (and fathers) take & their transformation through birth & early parenthood. While working as a family & newborn photographer since 2012, I have met and heard the stories of hundreds of families. They have inspired me but often made me question birth culture. Experiences widely varied & sometimes far from what birthing couples truly long for & deserve.
During my own pregnancy in 2018 my husband & I researched, attended the 'Positive Birth Program', breastfeeding classes & learnt plenty to equip ourselves for our birth journey - and oh what I’ve learnt since! (Breastfeeding for 4 years gave me lot of time to watch birth videos and research ;))
Stellan’s birth was a rollercoaster of choices & emotions - by diving into my toolkit for birth, I birthed after a 35 hour journey. My passion for this program comes from seeing how much it helped and knowing without my toolkit things could have been very different.
In 2022, I travelled to complete my training in Cairns. I shifted my photography business in a new direction, closing the doors to weddings and starting to photograph births for a few close friends which further cemented my desire to be immersed in this world of positive birth. I arrive in this role with such a joy and fire in my soul, to support you to have the best birth experience you can - regardless of the path it takes.
THE POSITIVE BIRTH PROGRAM
The Hypnobirthing Australia™ program is a unique and comprehensive antenatal education program catering to Australian needs, that builds knowledge and uses techniques such as relaxation, self-hypnosis, breathing & movement for a safer, easier and gentle birth.
PRIVATE CLASSES
The 12 hour 'Positive Birth Program' taught to you in the comfort of your own home. Just you, your birth partner & me! Includes parent booklet & access to amazing online resources. Lockyer Valley locations - travel fees apply outside.
$850
GROUP CLASSES
The 12 hour 'Positive Birth Program' program taught in a group setting with up to 4 couples in the Lockyer Valley.
Includes parent booklet & access to amazing online resources.
$550
MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
When should we attend classes?
We recommend starting the Positive Birth Program from 20 weeks of pregnancy, however some couples like to start earlier and others are referred to our program much later. There is no wrong time to be informed, educated and invested in birth!
How do classes run?
Classes run over 2 full days (6 hours with a break) either privately or in a group.
How do we pay?
A $150 deposit is due for any style of class to secure your dates with the remainder due 7 days before your class begins. Payment via direct debit.
TENS HIRE
I have two Elle TENS 2 machines that are hired in 5 week blocks ($75 - 37-42 weeks gestation is ideal). If you would like to book a machine, please include the dates you are requesting in your contact form.
All machines come with a lanyard, 4 AA batteries, instructions and new maternity electrodes. More info is available here on the Elle TENS website.
COURSE CONTENT
- Introduction to the positive mindset of hypnobirthing
- How our brain is wired to birth
- The role of our caregivers
- Mind/body connection
- What is self-hypnosis and how will we use it for birthing?
- Our hormones are our friends
- My amazing uterus – the physiology behind birthing
- Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome
- Causes of Fear (history) and how it affects our labour
- Re-programming the subconscious
- The language for empowered birthing
- The power of affirmations
- Birthing environment
- Self-hypnosis tracks
- Birth music
- Conditioning with scent
- Hypnotic anchors and triggers
- Releasing endorphins through massage and touch
- Acupressure for pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding
- Visualisations for pregnancy, labour & birthing
- The importance of facial relaxation
- Relaxation Breathing – a skill for life
- Surge Breathing – the best tool ever!
- Techniques to help make your surges more comfortable
- The ‘urge’ to push/bear down – Breathing/Bearing down
- Bonding with baby
- Choices in maternity care
- Birth Preferences – open communication with caregivers
- Knowledge is power – researching common interventions and procedures
- Questions to ask, to assist in making informed decisions
- Birth partner as advocate
- ‘Guess date’ – a normal range of pregnancy
- Inductions – things you’re not always told
- Achieving a natural start to labour
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Preparing the body – staying active
- Optimising baby’s position
- Breech or Posterior – options & positions
- Instant relaxation techniques
- Self-hypnosis, meditation, deep relaxation techniques & scripts
- What to expect in the weeks and days leading up to birth
- Signs that labour is starting
- What to expect through labour (membranes releasing etc)
- When to call the midwife/go to the hospital
- Accidental home/car birth – what to do!
- Birth partner’s role
- Common procedures
- Using water during labour and birth
- Upright positioning, movement and birth positions
- Special circumstances (including caesarean birth)
- Fear release
- Vocalisation
- Cord clamping & placenta delivery
- Undisturbed bonding & breastfeeding time – skin to skin
- What to expect afterwards
- Self-hypnosis – Rehearsal for Birth
- A practice routine – preparation for birth!
WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING
