CPEA Events

Last Update 08-Oct-2007

For further enquiries regarding the events on this page please contact the organisers.

For a very comprehensive list of Toowoomba Events check out

http://www.toowoombaholidays.info/whats_on/whats_on.cfm

Event: Active Birth Practical (2hr)
When: 10th November Saturday 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Where Uniting Church Hall, 80 Sherwood Rd, Toowong
More Details:This is a birth rehearsal class for couples. During our 2 hour classes you and your partner will practise Active Birth yoga postures, breathing exercises, massage and relaxation skills that are beneficial and enjoyable during pregnancy and birth.
It provides an opportunity for couples to enhance their awareness of and confidence in the natural rhythm of birth. By creating a common language, partners will be able to appreciate their complementary role in bringing a child into the world.
Cost: $66.00 per couple (including GST)
Facilitator: Suzanne Swan

Active Birth Workshop (Full Day)
This workshop explores practical ways to assist the labouring woman at birth. You will learn how to create a calm and reassuring atmosphere, to provide effective physical support and emotional comfort as needed. It focuses on an undisturbed physiological birth and describes the benefits of an Active Birth.
"Active Birth is nothing new. Strong intention, relaxed body and an open mind are the main ingredients for an Active Birth." - Janet Balaskas (founder of Active Birth Movement)
Birthing is both an internal and a learned experience. Women benefit greatly in birth with this self-knowledge and with a support team who help her work with her body.
During the day long workshop we practise Active Birth positions, massage, use of movement, use of the breath, relaxation skills and natural forms of pain relief. The focus is on the partner's participation during the labour and how the birth itself is as much a team effort as the conception. Other birth support people are encouraged to attend.
This workshop complements hospital or other classes, and is also an excellent refresher for parents.
Skills mothers learn from the workshop:
* comforting methods
* understanding more about your choices at hospital
* more confidence to stay positive and trusting your instincts
* breathing and relaxation techniques
* practising upright positions for labour with partner
* trust in self and partner - communicating on the same level
Skills fathers learn from the workshop:
* learning to remind her of movement techniques and options
* better understanding of the process of the birth and her needs
* how to create a suitable environment, emotionally and physically
* massage, breathing and focus techniques
* understanding of some of the techniques to aid in the birth process and help achieve a non-intervention birth
Time: Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Dates13 Oct, 8 Dec
Cost: $198.00 per couple (including GST)

Wonderful Birth Workshop
It is never too early or too late to attend this very practical and intensive two day workshop, which:
• Will help the mother to become more infomed, empowered and confident in her own ability to give birth.
• Will help fathers/partners maximise their involvement during pregnancy and labour.
• Is a must for every parent who prefers a natural birth - whether in hospital or at home.
• Is a valuable in-depth complement or alternative to hospital birth classes.
• Will help you and your support persons develop the knowledge to be assertive and confident before, during and after the birth.
• Is held in a relaxed atmosphere and is participatory, fun and very popular.
• Is a time for parents to focus on and share their feelings about labour, birth and their new baby.
• Is for first time parents or is a excellent refresher.
"There are very few childbirth educators in Melbourne able to impart this essential advice to pregnant women and their partners" - Dr Len Kilman, Obstetrician, Melbourne
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Be inspired by lots of positive and real-life birth stories and videos

Learn many skills to practice during pregnancy such as: effective ways to work with pain, minimise the need for stitches, how to discuss birth preferences with your caregiver, make informed choices, bond with your partner and your baby, what to have prepared for the birth at home, and on the way to hospital, and in hospital.
Many people have never been in hospital, and many are afraid of hospital. Learn about hospital routines and guidlines, so that you are in a position to negotiate rather than feel like the medical system has 'taken over'.
Discuss the first precious hours with your newborn, and the need to advocate on behalf of mother and baby if birth takes place in hospital. Become familiar with routine hospital procedures so that you can make informed choices BEFORE your baby is there (it is really very hard to make clear choices when you have just given birth- both father and mother are delirious!)
Discuss breastfeeding, settling of and caring for newborn babies, and what to expect in those early days and weeks of parenting, including practical tips for survival!
"We learnt so much moe from this weekend than 8 weeks of hospital classes. The workshop was a revelation! I had not expected to become so excited, so committed, so convinced that this was the only way to go."
"I'm not afraid of pain now. I feel like I can't wait to see what it's like, and how I can meet its challenges and work with it".
ABOUT LINA CLERKE
Lina Clerke, Midwife and Melbourne based childbirth educator, has over 25 years experience teaching about and attending births. Her training includes yoga, meditation, women's health and midwifery in UK, India and Australia. She has worked as a birth attendant with hundreds of women birthing within hospitals and also at home.
Although her special focus is natural, undisturbed birth, she is well aware of the challenges for many parents-to-be in achieving such a birth within the medical based hospital model of care.
To that end she has undertaken rigorous midwifery training within the hospital system which gives her both the credibility and the knowledge to liase confidently with parents-to-be and medical staff.
Because of her experience as midwife both in the hospital and at home, she brings a particula knowledge and has many 'tricks up her sleeve' to help parents have an empowered birth wherever they choose.
Lina is deeply committed to failitating instinctive and gentle birth, thus she also offers inspirational workshops for midwives at maternity units nationwide.
Where: Inner Harmony Centre, 142 Apollo Rd, Bulimba
Dates: 8-9 September
Time: 10.00am-7.00pm both days (often goes overtime)
Registration: 9.45am Saturday
Cost: Price includes mothers, fathers/partners and extra support persons for the complete 2 day workshop
$435 (+ GST)

Facilitator: Lina Clerke. To learn more about Lina visit her website www.wonderfulbirth.com
Note: The workshops are very popular, register early to ensure a place!

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