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.
Perth:
Meetings are held north and south of the river every month
Children are ALWAYS very welcome - we all have kids!
You don't have to be a Subscriber...Everyone is Welcome.
We have library resources and information.
Come and have a coffee and a chat while your children play!
******
WA groups (other)
BodyWise BirthWise
Naturopathy, Childbirth Education & Birth Support
Nurturing fertility, pregnancy, parenting.
Kristin Beckedahl
Karratha, WA 6714 www.bodywisebirthwise.com.au
I believe that every woman has the right to wholistic,
non-judgmental birth support. My aim is to nurture you in your journey to
motherhood while supporting and enabling you to make informed, empowered
decisions to achieve the birthing experience you desire. Compassionate and
knowledgable, I am dedicated in my role to support you through birth, inform
you of the available choices as they arise, and empower you to make confident
decisions. Serving the entire Perth metropolitan area
and accepting new clients at any stage of pregnancy.
* 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
*****
* 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.
*****
* 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
*****
* Blacktown Hospital Caesarean Support Group Meetings (Sydney). Ph: Sue de Rooy, Patient Education (02)9830 8000
*****
*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
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
*****
*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
*****
*Jan Ireland - Midwife in Private Practice. Jan also runs
VBAC information evenings. Phone - 95980528[03],
Email - jireland@vtown.com.au
(Hampton, Victoia).
*****
* 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
*****
*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
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
*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
*****
*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.
Qld:
* 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
*****
* 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:-
* 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
Birthtalk™ is a unique support and education organisation based in Brisbane, Australia, and run by a registered midwife, childbirth educator and mums. Birthtalk offers support via their website (articles, Birth Stories, insights, links), plus their Brisbane-based services (VBAC Course, Empowering Birth Course, Healing From Birth Support Group, Private Consultations), and phone support.
Birthtalk is the first organisation in Australia to run a comprehensive eight-session VBAC antenatal course. Birthtalk have developed a range of workshops for women and their partners, support people and health care professionals addressing issues related to healing from a difficult, disappointing or traumatic birth and individual sessions are also available. See www.birthtalk.org for further information.
Birthtalk also runs its regular antenatal education courses titled The Path to a Better Birth. In these antenatal meetings women can hear uplifting tales of birth (including VBAC & EBAC), gather vital birthing information not found in other regular antenatal classes, and learn how to increase their chances of walking away from ANY birth feeling positive, confident and strong.
Birthtalk also specialises in Birth Trauma and Birth Grief, and hold monthly meetings addressing issues related to healing from a difficult, disappointing or traumatic birth. Individual sessions are also available. See website for further information.
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.
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.
Georgia Birth Network
Provides support and education for childbirth professionals and
birthing families in Georgia.
GBN provides free monthly educational seminars and hosts professional
trainings as well.
We also operate as a referral source and provide a comprehensive
list of childbirth professionals in Georgia.
Referral line: 678-264-4944.
Web address: www.gabirthnetwork.com
* If you would like an event included
on this calender, please contact us by email at Birthrites
with the details and it will be listed ASAP.