GentleBirth Workshops

2013 Workshop Dates: 

Jan 5 & 6     |     Feb 9 & 10     |     March 2 & 3

April 13 & 14     |     May 11 & 12     |     June 8 & 9

July 6 & 7     |     Aug 10 & 11     |     Sept 21 & 22

Oct 19 & 20     |     Nov 23 & 24     |     No December Class

Stack the odds in your favour of having a positive birth for you, your baby and your partner.

You’ve heard the horror stories that everyone can't wait to tell you....you've been glued to One Born Every Minute. You’re now wondering if there is a way that you can give yourself the best chance of a positive birth, a birth where you and your partner can feel calm, confident and in control. A birth that is gentle for your baby.

Most couples come to my workshops not because they are completely ruling out the epidural but because they want to do everything they can to have a positive experience. The epidural can be a great tool for labour if needed but after your GentleBirth workshop you and your partner will have a multitude of birth 'tools' and strategies in your labour 'toolkit'.

GentleBirth workshops are not like other antenatal classes.  The GentleBirth Workshop is the only class in Ireland that focuses on birth preparation for the biggest day of your life - and your baby's. Lots of classes attempt to squeeze in 9 months of antenatal education in to a one day class as well as birth preparation but we're different. We don't teach you how to change nappies....or how to bathe your baby (we know you'll have that figured out very quickly). Our focus is preparing you for the most positive birth possible - no matter what comes your way on the big day.

We provide you with the roadmap to a positive birth. With over 8 years of experience supporting clients through Irish maternity services we help you navigate and negotiate the system. You and your partner get the inside track - so you can make the system work for you.
 

With over 85% of GentleBirth mums not needing an epidural you're already off to a good start.  Our Mums and Dads are not martyrs or looking for medals. They practice and prepare for the big day just like they would train for an athletic event but the key is mental preparation rather than physical.   Mums who attend GentleBirth workshops are from all walks of life - teachers, stay at home mums, scientists, midwives and more. Like you, they've all heard the scary stories and have decided to stack the deck in their favour of having a great birth experience rather than leaving the biggest day of their lives up to chance.

The workshop is for parents who want to be actively involved in decision making and prefer to have an understanding of what choices are available to them for labour and birth in Ireland. You and your partner will learn a LOT more than just self hypnosis. Hypnosis is just one of the many tools you'll have to use on the big day depending on your individual experiences.

Is your partner prepared for labour?

It's no secret that most hospital classes don't prepare Dads adequately for birth. In most classes Dads are sidelined and not expected to be involved during the birth. Your partner has a huge role in your baby's birth and most Dads are very eager to understand what they can do to help. During the workshop you and your partner develop a clear understanding of how to navigate and negotiate the overstretched busy Irish maternity system confidently and calmly. Dads/birth partners appreciate the importance of their role as birth supporter, facilitator and advocate on this very special day.

GentleBirth preparation weekend workshops combine birth hypnosis (deep relaxation for pregnancy and labour) and active birthing principles enabling couples to have empowered, confident birth experiences with or without medical intervention at home or at the hospital.

When is the best time to come to a workshop?

As soon as you want to start really enjoying your pregnancy - I see couples as early as 9 weeks and as late as 41 weeks. It's never too early, and only too late after your baby has arrived.

Although labour and birth is a serious topic the workshop is a lot of fun (don't worry nobody will be going home barking like a dog) There's plenty of practice too so it makes for a very relaxing, informative weekend.  You'll also see videos of Irish women giving birth, relaxed and confident.

Over the weekend you'll learn the following and more:

• Physiology of the normal birth process
• Fear Vs Relaxation in during birth - keeping adrenaline at bay
• Sports psychology techniques for pregnancy and birth
• The neuroscience of a gentle birth - rewiring your brain from fear to confidence
• Facilitating the perfect balance of hormones in labour - undisturbed birth
• Breathing techniques
• Comfort measures for labour and birth (what you and your partner can do at each stage)
• Use of the birth ball and other tools in labour (including waterbirth)
• Bonding with your baby before birth
• Routine procedures in Irish hospitals and how to avoid unnecessary interventions
• What happens on admission to hospital?
• Being a confident birth partner
• Labour support tools for special circumstances
• Creating an effective birth plan and how to communicate your intentions and preferences
• Informed decision making
• Relaxation techniques for mums and partners for pregnancy and labour
• Protecting your baby and your body during the 2nd stage (pushing stage).
• Birth positions
• Recovery tips

You also receive the complete GentleBirth Antenatal Program Box Set which includes 8 CD's and the GentleBirth Guidebook.

During the workshop you'll meet other couples who also want to have an active role in working towards a very positive experience. It gives you and your partner a great opportunity to escape life's day to day demands and just focus on each other and your baby for a weekend. You'll both leave the workshop feeling excited about labour - with no fear and ready for the great adventure of parenting - now immune to the scary stories everyone can't wait to tell you.

To confirm your booking please choose the best option for you from the four options below.

Workshops are held in the City North Hotel on the M1 (exit 7).  Class starts at 1pm on Saturday and ends at 6pm.  On Sunday the class runs from 9am and ends at 3pm  (it is possible to split the workshop over 2 months to facilitate work schedules/childcare arrangements).

When you add the GentleBirth Antenatal Workshop to your shopping cart you will be asked to choose the date of the workshop you would like to attend. Workshop places are limited - when we receive your payment we will confirm that the date you have selected is available within 48 hours.

We look forward to seeing you there.