'Active Birth'

Sunday, 1:30pm

One of the greatest pleasures for doulas is being able to assist a woman through a normal, physiological birth. To help a woman in this way requires skills, patience and trust in the natural birth process. Although we recognise the dangers inherent in tampering with normal physiology, we live in a society where women have little trust that their bodies are capable of giving birth safely, and fear pain in labour. Women are demanding epidurals, elective caesareans and inductions, believing these are safe for themselves and their babies. Doulas, caught up in the politics of maternity care, often feel powerless to change this situation yet there is much they can do.
AIMS:
To review the rationale behind “active birth”.
To explore the role of professional caregivers in assisting women have physiologic birth.
To discuss ways of empowering women and caregivers to achieve desired birth outcomes.
To identify ways of working with the system

About Jane Palmer

For over 28 years I have been working in the field of childbirth education, both as a childbirth educator conducting parenting and birth preparation courses, and as a supervisor for course participants completing the Graduate Diploma of Childbirth Education. Passionate about supporting expectant parents, Jane established the well known website www.pregnancy.com.au. In 1997 Jane qualified a midwife and a couple of years later entered private midwifery practice. Today Jane practices as a private midwife, lactation consultant and childbirth educator. In addition Jane’s experience extends into the business world as the managing director of:
PBB Health Centre – a midwifery and medical health centre (established 2012 and sold in 2017) Pregnancy Birth and Beyond Pty Ltd (1992 to present)
Birth International Pty ltd (2016 to present) Jane Palmer Pty Ltd (2018 to present)