Support Group Meetings.

Come along and talk about your experiences or just listen to other women's stories.
Hear how other women have coped with (or are coping with) the challenges of planning a VBAC.

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NSW:

* 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

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* Robyn: (02) 4385 1114, email - drgas@terrigal.net.au (Terrigal, NSW)
Robyn has organised for a VBAC Support Group to be held at Kincumber Health Service.
First Monday of each month @ 10:30am. Morning Tea provided.

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* 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

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* Blacktown Hospital Caesarean Support Group Meetings (Sydney).
Ph: Sue de Rooy, Patient Education (02)9830 8000

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*Jane Palmer - Midwife/Childbirth Educator.
(Dundas, NSW) Phone (02) 9873 1750, Mobile 0414 814 686, Email: janepalm@rivernet.com.au
Visit Jane's wonderful website at: http://www.pregnancy.com.au
Jane provides a free VBAC support service, providing information and telephone counselling. As an independent midwife, Jane supports women giving birth at home, hospital or birth centre, with continuity of care through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Jane runs regular Active Birth Workshops, private childbirth classes and VBAC classes.
'Active Birth Workshops for 2002': They are held in Dundas (Sydney) are on the 23rd March, 22nd June, 14th September, 7th December. These workshops would be ideal for women planning a VBAC (or EBAC)

* 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

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Victoria:

*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: Robin, (03) 9380 2863, email - riskybiz@netspace.net.au

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*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.
Ph: Robin, (03) 9380 2863, Website address - www.maternitycoalition.org.au , email - maternitycoalition@netspace.net.au

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

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* Choices after Caesarean: Empowering Women.
Support group for women whom have experienced a c/section, are to experience a c/section and/or want to plan a VBAC/EBAC. Everyone welcome.
- Meets the second Thursday of every month @10.30am at:
Craig Family Centre, Samarinda Avenue, Ashburton.
Please phone Danielle for further information or support on (03) 9889-9930 or contact daniellemorley@bigpond.com.au

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*Jennie Teskey - Midwife in Private Practice. Ph - (03) 9844 2523, email - teskey@ozemail.com.au (Warrandyte North)

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*Support program operating as part of the Midwifery Unit of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group

Additional information on the support program can be gained by calling:
Carol ph 5623 0811 on Friday mornings 9-12am
or Midwifery ward ph 5623 0752 anytime

Welcome to Joyous Birth and Accessing Artemis.
http://maap.alternativebaby.net/joyousbirth.html
Have you birthed at home? Are you considering a homebirth? We seek to encourage community among homebirthers, midwives, birth attendants and doulas, past, present and future across Melbourne and beyond. Come along to socialise, feel supported and strengthened, share knowledge and experience and enjoy the company of others who believe in gentle birth. We meet seasonally and have a yahoo group (see the link listed below) for continuing support as well as mailing invitations.

Accessing Artemis - share your story.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/joyousbirth/
The other aspect to Joyous Birth is supporting women following birth. Come here to tell us your story. Was your birth all you hoped for? Did you experience a caesarean and feel ripped off? Are you sad if you didn't spend the first few hours with your baby? Have you experienced a traumatic birth? Did you feel violated and devastated by the experience? Also share with us at Joyous Birth as we build a supportive community to help women recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by birth trauma. Many of us are choosing home birth for our next pregnancy as a result of increased awareness following a traumatic experience and the trend in increasing interventions in the hospital/birth centre system. For further information please refer to the Joyous Birth web site.

BaBs - Birthing and Babies Support - www.birthingandbabies.info

A Peer groups setting offering information, Education and Support for people regarding pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

BaBs groups aim to create a time and space for women to share their birth and life stories, to listen and learn from each other. Many groups have monthly guest speakers, focusing on a specific topic for discussion and sharing.

This is a free service.

To find or start a group, volunteer opportunities and other enquiries: Erika Munton 03 9720 8058 or see the website.

Birth Works - Erika Munton Birth Attendant/Life Coach
Location:  Eastern Suburbs Melbourne

website: www.birthworks.info
email: erikamunton@yahoo.com.au
phone: 03 9720 8058
I am a mother of 2 lively boys and  am a qualified Doula/Birth attendant and life coach, group facilitator and co-ordinator of BaBs-Birthing and Babies Support groups; attending births in Australia and U.S.A for over 10 years.

ACT:

* 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

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*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 , email Ingrid - ingridmckenzie@ozemail.com.au
or Marguerite - mperkins@netspeed.com.au

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SA:

*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, produce a quarterly publication, talk to women's groups about choices for childbirth, respond to the media when things like epidurals or intervention are not discussed in a balanced way.
Birth Matters, PO Box 611, Brighton, SA 5048.
Email - birthmatters@hotmail.com or Phone: Jennifer - 08-8339 7543

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*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. Phone Carolyn Donaghey-Harris 8293 8333 to find out venue.
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.

* Birth after C-Section information and support group.
The idea behind this group is to give women (and their partners if they would like to) an opportunity to speak to others that are interested or experienced in VBAC (Vaginal birth after 1 or more C-Sections) and the options available. We will explore the facts, the myths, the fears and the emotions that surround this decision and it will be a supportive place for people to search for answers. We welcome those that are already pregnant and those who are considering their options for a planned pregnancy or anywhere in-between. This group will run once per month unless the group would like to meet fortnightly instead. In order to run in the best interests of all we would prefer that participants give themselves a couple of child free hours to focus on themselves, however we welcome babies.
Contact: Philippa Scott
Email: philippa.s@people.net.au or Phone: 47734075 or 0407648349

* Brisbane VBAC Support Group - Meets monthly.
Contacts: Leisa (Southside) - (07) 3398 1198
Martina (Northside) - (07) 3261 8741, email - family_mcneill@optusnet.com.au

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* 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

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* Healing Birth Group
A support group that runs a 7 week course 4 times per year (during school terms) lasting about 3 hours per session on a Thursday morning. We provide childminding and morning tea for the women (aiming for about 6 women per group). We have 4 facilitators and cover a broad range of topics. We are all mothers and have a variety of birth experiences but are passionately interested in birthing choices and issues regarding birth and parenting for women in our area.

Description of Healing Birth Group
Facilitators lead a small group of participants (approx. 6) through 7 workshops held one morning per week. A safe environment is provided for the participants to express any feelings resulting from the experience of the birth of their child through writing, talking, drawing and hearing others' stories. A ceremony is held to destroy the negative feelings surrounding their experience, and they're guided through preparing a positive birth story for their child as a form of healing. The maternity care system is explained. A workshop is held on how to aim for a satisfying birth experience in future, whether it be natural or caesarean, including choosing support people and writing a birth plan. Participants are given information on vaginal birth after caesarean if that's what they're aiming for. A guest speaker discusses postnatal depression. Issues surrounding sex, relationships and positive parenting are discussed, and stress management techniques are taught and practiced. The women are then invited to donate any of their writings or drawings or birth stories for a book being put together. The women and their partners are invited to attend a guided birth suite tour at The Townsville Hospital.

Aims of Healing Birth Group (i.e. what the facilitators will achieve)

• Provide a group of facilitators
• Provide an appropriate venue, morning tea and childminding.
• Advertise, obtain and register a small group of women (approx. 6 per group) to attend all sessions if possible.
• Facilitators run seven workshops with appropriate material and resources.
• Provide materials such as books, handouts, pens, tissues, resources such as books for borrowing.
• Organise guest speakers when appropriate. * Provide facilitators' and participants' contact details to the participants.
• Provide community resource and referrals list to participants and assist them with contacting resources if required.

- For more information about the Healing Birth Group email: Nikki - daznik@bigpond.com

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* The Home Midwifery Association QLD Inc
http://www.homebirth.org.au

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* 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 child's 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. Healing 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

Our beliefs are:
- that women are entitled to have access to knowledge that will enable them to make the best possible birthing choices for themselves and their babies
- the birthing process is an important rite of passage allowing for women's personal growth
- a woman's experience of the birthing process, whether positive, negative or indifferent, is what she will carry into motherhood, as a source of strength or as a challenge
We believe that, to improve the chances of a positive birth experience:
- women need to know of their body's capabilities to have babies and how pregnancy prepares their bodies for birth
- women need to be empowered and supported in informed decision-making regarding their births and women need to be in a supportive environment to be able to birth.

Comments From Women
"Wish I had have known about you prior to the conception of our first child."
Mother of three, two born by caesarean, third born naturally

...the information available at Birthtalk is not readily available elsewhere, and without this information women are unable to make truly informed choices about birth."
Mother of one son

The wonderful women at Birthtalk spoke of joy,support, beauty, naturalness, choices and hard work too of course. These thoughts were present for me during the birth of my gorgeous daughter. I am certain I was less fearful and more accepting of the enormity of the contractions... after all, each one was bringing my baby closer. It was the best experience I have ever had. My partner and I are closer for having been through it and he has spoken of it with awe many times since.Ó
Mother of one daughter

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Birth Trauma Support Group
We are mothers who have had stressful and traumatic birth experiences that affected our lives negatively for months or years afterwards. As a result of our own personal experiences we are passionate about helping other women by sharing any information that we know and have about healing from birth and supporting women as they struggle to deal with their own birth experiences. We offer friendship, confidential and emotional support.

In talking and sharing our painful experiences it is hoped that we are able to begin to recognize and work through our grief. That being in touch with other women who feel the same way about their births helps us to not feel so alone and isolated and allows the woman to feel acknowledged and accepted. I hope that women can support and help each other by learning from each other's experiences and gathering information on what has helped others to deal with their grief/anger/sadness about their births.

Enq: Ursula 0408 197 115 or Melissa 0414 884 868 or email birtrasup@yahoo.com.au

BaBs - Birthing and Babies Support - www.birthingandbabies.info

A Peer groups setting offering information, Education and Support for people regarding pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

BaBs groups aim to create a time and space for women to share their birth and life stories, to listen and learn from each other. Many groups have monthly guest speakers, focusing on a specific topic for discussion and sharing.

This is a free service.

To find or start a group, volunteer opportunities and other enquiries: Erika Munton 03 9720 8058 or see the website.