Active Birth Classes

After 2 years of COVID interruptions, we are very excited to have restarted our active birth classes at the clinic.  The feedback we have had from our pregnant mummas, is the lack of face-to-face birthing classes in the current climate.  We are proud to be able to offer these intimate classes with a maximum of 4 couples, in a very targetted 2 hour session, with all that you need to know to help you achieve the birth you dream of.

Being in an upright position and active during the first stage of labour has been associated with stronger and more efficient uterine contractions.  When you are in labour, the flight or fight reflex is activated and adrenaline starts to build up. If you are active, you can burn this adrenaline off and it then converts to endorphins and oxytocins which are our happy labour inducing hormones! However if you stay sedentary, this adrenaline builds up and then converts to cortisol, a stress hormone. Stress can slow labour down and therefore being sedentary can extend your time in labour.

Our Active Birth class covers

• The theory and stages of labour
• Why being active is important
• Active movement techniques
• Massage
• Positioning during labour
• Stress balls
• TENs machine for labour
• Perineal preparation
• Use of the EPI No for birth preparation

Our Active Birth class runs for 2 hours and includes a presentation regarding:

The stages of labour, what to expect physically and how to use your body efficiently to work with labour rather than against it, how and when to conserve energy – saving both your physical and mental energy until when you need it most, strategies to optimise positioning to utilise gravity to your advantage and also circumstances when you may need to position yourself differently to slow things down, the role of breathing and how it can be manipulated in different stages of labour, the role of physical and mental distraction, visualisation and vocalisation to reduce pain and manage one contraction at a time, practical tips to assist partners in supporting their labouring partner, with emphasis on positions of support (utilising fit-balls, pillows) and massage theory and practical use of TENS for labour, with hands on use of FreeMOMs TENS unit.

Our next active birth class is on Wednesday 19th October @ 6pm – 8pm

Contact our reception team to book your place in our next Active Birth Class