Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean.

Area Contacts.

These local area contacts are invaluable because of their knowledge of 'local' empathetic obstetricians, doctors, midwives, resources and support groups. I am so grateful to the many, many wonderful people who make up this area contact network for Birthrites.
(You all deserve a really big kiss and cuddle for all the energy you give so unfailingly.)

*The Birthrites Brochure is available to download and print off, for everyone to distribute. Click here to download it.

"Birthrites, although growing rapidly, proportionally, has a small core-group which keeps the organisation running.  We are all mothers with small children who volunteer our services in between keeping up with normal family life.  From time to time, different contacts in our list might not update their details with us, and we may not get the opportunity to chase these up regularly, due to family commitments causing time restraints.  We would ask for our Contacts to please keep us informed and up to date of any changes, and we welcome any of our members coming forward if they know of any of the contacts that were not contactable or that have changed, and especially any inadvertent errors.  Better still, we welcome any members who wish to come forward to become Committee members on the core-group who can take on more formal roles of helping us to run Birthrites more smoothly, and contribute to taking our ever-expanding organisation into the future."

Western Australia:

Perth Contacts:

* Rebecca Lawther  (08) 9207 1540 editor@birthrites.org

* Shelley Ph: (08) 9276 7285 convenor@birthrites.org

* Sarah Ph: (08) 9301 5252 viceconvenor@birthrites.org

Country Areas - WA:

* Susan Ph: (08) 9188 1347 (Tom Price, WA)

* Liz Ph: (08) 9754 4665, email - jrtcm@netserv.net.au (Busselton, WA)

* Lorraine Ph: (08) 0418 855 339, (Warnbro, WA)

* Hayley Ph: (08) 9941 4086 (Carnarvon, WA)

* Emma Ph: (08) 9582 8682 (Mandurah, WA)

* Julie, email - julesstockwell@hotmail.com. (Bunbury, WA)

BodyWise BirthWise
Naturopathy, Childbirth Education & Birth Support
Nurturing fertility, pregnancy, parenting.
Kristin Beckedahl
Karratha, WA 6714
www.bodywisebirthwise.com.au

Other Australian States:

New South Wales:

* Caesareans Incommon
A new Group for women, held each Friday. The group will be facilitated by Denise Love, and several other woman who have all experienced C. Sections. This is not just for women with new babies...older mums, new mums and grandmothers are invited. but anybody who has experienced or has interest in Caesareans. You are invited if you are...... feeling traumatised, planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarean), had a successful VBAC, or planning a Caesarean.
Have you found it hard to fall in love with your baby!! Are you a health professional who is interested in supporting woman through this event! This is an opportunity to share your experience, attitudes and thoughts and gather the skills to heal any old "wounds" or gather information that will support you in having the best Caesarean ever.
There are many things that can have an impact on the way you feel forllowing a caesarean, and together with the woman who have experinced these experiences and similar feelings you can reflect on your experience, and evaluate how it was for you, what you would like to share with others, and support other woman on their journey!
Friday 12.30 - 2.30...bring your babies $10 ...no need to book...just turn up Shop 101/10 Lachlan St, Moore Park........Parking in the super centre...the opposite end to IKEA...and cross southern cross drive....I am two shops along from Millers storage......ground floor and plenty of pram space!
Contact: Denise Love 1300 139 507 or email: lifeoptions@bigpond.com

* Hunter VBAC Support (Newcastle, NSW)
Are you considering a vaginal birth after caesarean? Would you like to meet women who have shared similar experiences? We meet monthly in group members' homes, children are welcome.
Contact Tina Wilkie for details, phone 02 4952 8804, email wilkiemiskin@smartchat.net.au

* HOMEBIRTH ACCESS SYDNEY
www.homebirthsydney.org.au (PO Box 66 Broadway NSW 2007)
Ph: (02) 4751 9840 (Jo Hunter) or email: jo.phil@bigpond.com.au

* HOMEBIRTH AUSTRALIA.
www.homebirthaustralia.org (PO Box 105 Merriwa NSW)
Ph: (02) 4751 9840 (Jo Hunter) or email: homebirth@homebirthaustralia

* Birthing Matters
This support is for woman who are planning a caesarean, or VBAC or have had a caesarean and feel the need to talk about, and find healing for their experience. I am able to provide individual, group or telephone support.
Please contact Rhona on (02)9402 5276 or email rhonabarker@optusnet.com.au

* Jenny: (02) 4758 6754 (Sydney, Blue Mountains)

* Robyn: (02) 4385 1114, email - drgas@terrigal.net.au (Terrigal, NSW)

* Jane: (02) 9873 1750 or Mobile 0414 814 686 (Dundas, NSW), email Ð jane@pregnancy.com.au, janepalmer@rivernet.com.au Website address is http://www.pregnancy.com.au

* Fiona: (02) 6297 9940 (Queanbeyan, NSW)

* Karen: (02) 9410 1676 (Sydney, North Shore, NSW)

*Trudie: (02) 4782 5669 (Blue Mountains, NSW), email trudie@homebirthservices.com.au, webpage Ð www.homebirthservices.com.

* Jane: (02) 4877 1066 (Bowral, NSW), email Ð janecollings@bigpond.com.

*Maternity Coalition NSW: Carol Chapman email Ð dean50@ozemail.com.au, website Ð www.maternitycoalition.org.au

*South Coast Pregnancy and Birth Support Group (Bega, NSW)
If you are interested in information about natural childbirth, or about having a baby at home, join us for a cuppa and a chat. Library and videos available For more information contact: Nienke - 02 649 32019, Cindy Ð 02 6494 0131 or Linda - 02 49 32442

* Bronwyn: (02) 4976 3943 (Summerland Point, NSW)
Information and support for women with diabetes.

* Natalie: (0)2 47572080 (Blue Mountains & Western Sydney, N.S.W) email - nataliedash@optusnet.com.au

Essential Birth Consulting

Offering midwifery services during preconception, pregnancy, birth and postnatal.  VBAC, Homebirth, hospital birth support, childbirth education, birth debriefing, childbirth education, VBAC preparation, and consulting services are available.  I practice in and around Sydney, Illawarra, South West, Penrith, north shore, eastern suburbs.  Essential Birth Consulting recognises you as being the most important person in the birthing experience.  

Melissa Maimann
MBA RM RN BN Grad Dip Midwifery
0400 418 448
Email: melissam@idx.com.au

South Australia:

* CARES - SA (Caesarean Awareness Recovery Education Support South Australia) Website Address: http://www.cares-sa.org.au

Support coffee mornings are the second Wednesday of every Month at 10.30am. We welcome women and their partners who are seeking support for an upcoming VBAC or Caesarean, and those who have had a Caesarean or Instrumental birth. Our coffee mornings are informal and we hope to have a midwife present at each morning to help answer questions. Meeting others who have had similar birth experiences can be a step towards healing and feeling whole again. We look forward to welcoming you.

Belinda Ryan : Treasurer - belinda@cares-sa.org.au
Deb Minge : Coordinator – minge3@bigpond.com
Kate Ellis : Secretary – kate@cares-sa.org.au

*Birth Matters - (Adelaide) We have been going since early 1998, primarily as a resource group for women to find out more about their choices for childbirth in Adelaide.... we also hold coffee mornings/evenings offering support and information, as well as producing a quarterly newsletter containing articles from birth journals, newspapers etc and birth stories.
Birth Matters, PO Box 563, Blackwood, , SA 5051.
Phone contact: Megan - 08 8178 0149 or Tania - 08 8339 4074

Victoria:

* Danielle: (03) 9889-9930 or contact daniellemorley@bigpond.com.au

*Ann: (03) 93631775, (Deer Park, Vic)

*Elisabeth: (03) 5968 6127, email - settams@bigpond.com.au (Clematis, Vic)

*Katrina: (03) 5786 1992, email - kmtf@techinfo.com.au (King Lake)

*Stephanie: (03) 9444 6092, email - jcoll@bigpond.com (Ivanhoe)

*Choices for Childbirth - an independent, non-profit support group of women committed to helping women and their partners make informed choices about the birth of their babies. Ph: Di Diddle (03) 9484 6473, email Ð diddles@aardvark.net.au

* Maternity Coalition - an umbrella organisation of support groups and individuals committed to improvements in care during pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period for all women. Website address - www.maternitycoalition.org.au

*Jan Ireland - Midwife in Private Practice. Jan also runs VBAC information evenings. Ph - 95980528[03], Email - jireland@vtown.com.au (Hampton, Victoia)

* Erika: Caesarean and VBAC support. Phone: 03 9720 8058 or 0407 685933 , email - erikamunton@yahoo.com.au (Ringwood East VIC)

* Rhonda: (03) 52 661 648, email Ð rhonda@bodypleasurepiercing.com (Belmont - Geelong)

* Jennie: Midwife in Private Practices. Ph/fax - (03) 9844 2523, email - jennieteskey@yahoo.com (Warrandyte North)

* West Gippsland VBAC Support Group: Healing the Wound After Caesarean.
Sue Crosby (03) 5623 0751, email - wglref@qedsystems.com.au

Australian Capital Territory:

* Caesareans and Beyond (a Support Group): C/- The Womens Centre for Health Matters, Canberra (02) 6286 2043 Fax 02 62864742, email - walshm@pcug.org.au

*Maternity Coalition - an umbrella organisation of support groups and individuals committed to improvements in care during pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period for all women. Maggie Perkins. Website address - www.maternitycoalition.org.au

* Choices for Childbirth: Maggie Perkins (02) 6241 6031 email: bford@netspeed.com.au

Queensland:

* Birth Buddies in Townsville / Thuringowa: Philippa Scott philippa.s@people.net.au or 47734075 or 0407648349

* C.E.A. - A great start in life! The Childbirth Education Association (Brisbane) Incorporated:

  • is a non-profit organization
  • has supported women and their support people through pregnancy, childbirth and parenting since 1965
  • aim to provide quality childbirth and parenting education, facilitated by professional and experienced educators
  • help you gather information to make informed choices
  • believe education, preparation and support are all-important in the life-long learning process of being a parent

    C.E.A. provides Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) support, information and can arrange group or one to one education sessions on a needs basis. Other services include:-

  • Preparing for Pregnancy Workshops
  • Active Birth Classes
  • Baby Massage Mornings
  • Toy, Book and Video Libraries
  • Doctor and Hospital Information Service
  • Recycled Maternity and BabiesÕ Wear Bazaar

    For more information please phone/fax (07) 3285 8233, email - mail@ceabresbane.asn.au Website - www.ceabrisbane.asn.au

*Healing Birth: debriefing support group for women who've been traumatised by their vaginal or caesarean birth experience.
Small workshops for women by women who care.
Contacts - Nikki (07) 4774 6353, email: daznik@bigpond.com or Karen (07) 4721 3280, email: shlegeris.k@bigpond.com

* Kerri: (02) 4987 4397 (Emerald, Qld)

* Ingrid: (07) 5497 4874 (Elimbah, Qld)

* Vicki: (07) 49591658, email Ð tnewman@austarnet.com.au (Mirani, Qld)

* Marie: (07) 4955 2335, (Mt. Pleasant, Mackay, Qld)

* Home Midwifery (Qld) inc: Website: http://www.homebirth.org.au, info@homebirth.org.au

* Deirdrie: (07) 5533 2258, mobile: (07) 0411 880 755 email - photo@worldlink.com.au (Gold Coast)

* Birthtalk - Information, Education, Support
Birthtalk is a FREE support and education group focusing on pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Meetings are held at Toowong, Brisbane, on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.
Birthtalk is facilitated by Debby, a registered midwife, childbirth educator and mother of two, & Melissa, a mother of two who has experienced a caesarean birth and a vbac.
Meetings :
1. Birthtalk Forum - A monthly education meeting focusing on pregnancy and birth. A different topic is discussed at each Forum, covering various issues important for pregnant women and their partners.
Topics include :
* Negotiating Our Health System
* Confidence Shatterers
* The Path To An Empowered Birth
2. The Impact of Birth- A monthly discussion group focusing on how our feelings about our childÕs birth can have a ripple effect on all aspects of our lives. We look at how women with difficult starts to their mothering life have healed their relationships with their children, their partners, and themselves, and made peace with their experience of birth. We also listen to women who have had empowering births share the wonderful impact birth has had on their lives.
3. ÒHealing From Birth - A support group for women recovering emotionally from birth. There is a chance to debrief in a safe environment, where the importance of birth is understood. Women have a chance to clarify any questions or issues they have from their experiences.
(Gold Coin Donations are appreciated to help cover costs)
Contact: Phone : Deb - 3878 7915
Email : Melissa - lissnrem@gil.com.au

* Maternity Coalition: Bruce Teakle. www.maternitycoalition.org.au

Northern Territory:

* Kaye: (08) 8978 2257 (Batchelor, NT)

International Contacts:

USA/California:

*Erin: Ph - (905) 319-3579 (Burlington, ON Canada), email - madam@worldchat.com

*ICAN - International Caesarean Awareness Network: email - info@ican-online.org (Support groups all over America). Web address is: www.ican-online.org

Japan:

* Jane: email - halcyon@gtepacifica.net (Saipan/Micronesia),

Greece:

* Maria: email - Sheridan626@aol.com (Greece)
The support group is known as EUTOKIA (the opposite of the known term dystokia)

Spanish:

* For Spanish-speaking women: A cessarean support group for spanish speaking women.
Contact person: Ibone Olza
http://www.elistas.net/lista/apoyocesareas

Other Western Australian Support Groups:

- Pregnancy and Childbirth Information Resource Centre.
80 Canning Hwy, East Fremantle. Open Wednesday and Thursday, 10am - 12:00pm.
Free service providing information, referral, resources and support for preconception, prenatal, pregnancy and post-natal. Provides greater choice for birthing women.
Staffed by midwives; Sally Westbury and Theresa Clifford. Ph: (08) 9319 8043

- Community Midwifery Program.
Funded, jointly, by the State and Federal Governments to provide no cost homebirths for women in the Perth Metropolitan Area. Provides greater choice for women using the public health system.

- Midwives in Private Practice. check out the Midwives Page

- Family Nurturing Centre. Celebrating Community, Celebrating Life. Childbirth and Parenting education classes, advice, mediation and conciliation services. Also yoga classes with views of the ocean, specializing in pregnancy and post-natal and baby yoga. Ph: 24 hour pager service - (08) 9482 4154

- VBAC Workshops. Visit the Support Groups page for more information.

If you are interested in adding your support group to this list, as a contact, please email me with your details and I will organise to enter it. It could be a national or international contact number/email address...Women need to know where you are if you are to help them!

Email to: Birthrites