Active birth Class at Western Women’s and Men’s Health

02 Feb Active birth Class at Western Women’s and Men’s Health

Information about our Active Birth Class

We are very excited to be offering these active birth classes at the clinic.  The feedback we have had from our pregnant mums about our classes has been very positive and uplifting.   We are proud to be able to offer these intimate classes with a maximum of 3 couples in a very targeted 2-hour session, with all that you need to know to help you achieve the birth you dream of. 

Keeping active during labour and childbirth has a range of benefits, including shorter stages of labour, less chance of needing an epidural and better pain coping strategies. 

Being in an upright position 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 the adrenaline starts to build up. If you are active, you can burn this adrenaline off, which then converts to endorphins and oxytocin, 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; therefore, being sedentary can extend your time in labour. 

 Our 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 

 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 you need it most.
• Strategies to optimize 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, as well as practical use of TENS for labour, with hands-on use of FreeMOMs TENS unit. 

Our next active birth class is on Wednesday, 28th February @ 6 pm – 8 pm 

Contact our lovely reception team on (03) 8001 2044 to book your place in our next Active Birth Class.