"Positive Birth Program"

Pregnant for the first time, surprise baby in my late 30's, middle of a global pandemic, and a nasty case of Gravidarum Emesis. You could say my pregnancy was not the idyllic experience every mum-to-be dreams of. I have pretty much been ill or in total isolation for the majority of this pregnancy and the lack of contact with other expecting mums, access to face to face classes and information inevitably lead to dwelling on fears and anxieties about the birth.

I am a pretty pragmatic person and was somewhat apprehensive and dismissive when the antenatal classes that were offered to me were called "hypnobirthing classes". Images of a bunch of airy-fairy hippies toting unscientific theories filled my mind when what I really craved was solid, well researched, scientific information to put my mind at ease.

Well... as it turns out, the name was totally misleading and the classes were filled with science-based approaches as well as a totally positive perspective on the birthing process. I cannot praise these classes enough!

For the first time in my pregnancy, I found myself feeling positive about what was happening in my body and my ability to have a once in a lifetime birth experience. I have completely changed my Birth Preferences from what I originally had down. I feel so informed and empowered about the upcoming birth and am looking forward to the whole experience.

My partner has really embraced the classes as well and is fully involved in the process which has been really great. The midwife who ran our classes, Kasey, was absolutely wonderful. Very knowledgable, friendly, and full of encouragement and support.

My experience has been so enhanced by these classes. My sibling took traditional antenatal classes about 5 years ago and had such a different experience and I believe their births were negatively impacted by the lack of empowerment and awareness of their options.

Ironically, I now feel lucky to have experienced my pregnancy during a pandemic because it gave me access to these classes which I would never have considered or been able to afford privately.

I really hope that these classes become the norm in antenatal education as they have totally transformed my understanding of birth and I feel totally ready to embrace whatever path my birth takes!