Partner applying pressure and use of water to manage pain in labour. Photo credit: Exist Images
Our Active Birth Workshop is a hands-on, practical class for pregnant others, birthing people and their support person. Whether it's your first baby or your fifth, and whether you're planning a hospital or home birth, this workshop is for you.
Being active during labour has real benefits: shorter labours, less pain, and fewer medical interventions like inductions, epidurals and caesareans. We'll explore movement, breath and how to work with your body through labour and birth.
Facilitated by two experienced midwives, our workshops draw on years of supporting families through birth — including navigating the hospital system and supporting those planning a home birth.
Seven years in and still selling out, our workshops give parents the knowledge, confidence and tools to feel prepared and empowered on the day.
Read our FAQs below and book your spot in our upcoming May class.
Simulation: Partner using a towel to assist with a contraction. Photo Credit: BBi at ActiveBirth Workshop 2023.
In this workshop we explore:
• Benefits of active birth including the physiology of birth;
• Active birth positions during labour and birth;
• How your birth support people can assist you - positions, massage, emotional support and advocacy
• Using props in labour such as birth balls, mats, birthing stool, slings and everyday items in your home;
• How to manage pain with water (shower and bath), breathing techniques, positions and more;
• Making the most of your birth environment At hospital or at home;
• Informed Consent - How to make informed choices and communicate them to your care provider
• The Golden Hour - breastfeeding and skin-to-skin after birthing your baby
• Early Postpartum - How to plan for a supportive experience after having your baby
You will receive a quick reference guide of what you have learnt in the workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
It is entirely up to you, however, we recommend from around 30 weeks onwards. The information will be more relevant and useful for you and you and your partner (if you have one) will have greeater levels of retention of the ideas, tools and examples shared.
-
Yes! The skills and tools are relevant to wherever you choose to birth. You will be introduced to a range of birth props that are found in most hospitals and some you can source for home.
-
If you have any of the following, please bring:
A mat (like a fitness mat),
a fit ball (we have a pump at the venue and spares if you do not own one),
a notebook and pen
a water bottle.
-
We recommend comfortable clothing as we will have you up and down and moving around in active birth positions! Sometimes we struggle to get the room temperature to everyone's preference so layers are always good!!
-
Tea, coffee, water, juice and a simple assortment of biscuits and fruit for afternoon tea will be provided. There is a 45 minute lunchbreak at 12.30pm where you can bring your own lunch or have lunch at one of the cafes right near the venue.
-
Absolutely! If you do not have a support person/partner or they are unable to attend you are most welcome to come solo.
If you have more than one birth support person please let us know so we can accomodate you, we will not charge a full price for the extra person but will need to register them and cover costs for catering. We will ensure when we are working through different techniques for active birth that you are supported in positions to get the most out of the course.
-
We provide refunds however as a not-for profit organisation we must cover our workshop costs. Refunds will incur:
50% deduction of the original ticket price if cancelled within 2 day of the workshop
30% deduction of the original ticket price if cancelled 3-14 days of the workshop
Full refund for cancellations 15 days or more.
-
We are committed to economic justice and understand that financial resources shouldn't determine whether you attend the workshop. Please email us with the subject line: Discount Ticket OR Free Ticket and we can discuss a reduced ticket.
-
Item descriptiYes, you can. We have had doulas attend in the past as a support person for their pregnant client and to learn and upskill.
We do ask that you take no photos or videos on the day and credit the facilitators and Better Births Illawarra if you share information in your own classes or mentoring. This is a respectful exchange that honours the lineage of knowledge, returning power to the source.