'When the Archetypes Stir'

Across human evolution the unending flow of generational experiences of care and protection at birth have laid down in our collective unconscious, deep patterns of expectation for particular support figures. We can understand these figures as archetypes.
 
These archetypes continue to inform cultural, social and individual expectations and yearnings about who will ideally accompany the birthing woman.
 
In the contemporary era who is it that captures and represents these archetypal yearnings?
 
In this session we will explore the blessings and dangers within these deep, often unconscious, dynamics.

​What archetypes might doulas capture?

Rhea Dempsey

Rhea is a passionate woman of birth; she is an Educator, Trainer, Doula, Counsellor, Speaker, Activist and Author. Rhea’s understanding of birth has been gained over four decades. She has presented nationally and internationally and is recognised as an insightful commentator on the difficulties women, who have a yearning for normal physiological birth, face in navigating present birth culture. And is respected as one of Australia’s foremost thinkers on the topic of working with pain in childbirth and its connection to normal physiological birth.
Her books, Birth with Confidence: savvy choices for normal birth and Beyond the Birth Plan: getting real about pain and power, as well as giving a clear account of the challenges faced by contemporary birthing women, also map out a path to powerful birthing experiences.
Rhea is the mother of three adult daughters, and five delicious home born grandchildren.
To find out more about Rhea’s books and work, visit her website www.rheadempsey.com.au
FaceBook – Rhea Dempsey Birthing Wisdom
Instagram – rheadempseybirth
Twitter - @rheadempsey

Purchase Recording

Speaker Sponsor ~ Eat Pray Doula

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Eat Pray Doula, Bali Retreats 2026

Advanced Skills for Birthkeepers 7 day, 8 night retreat
Our advanced skills workshop is a full-immersion retreat that meets the specific needs of providers with experience. This workshop is for doulas, alternative health practitioners, midwives, massage therapists, doctors, nurses and those who offer clinical, emotional and/or hands-on support to birthing families and wish to dive deeper into supportive measures for their clients. Each year we feature a special guest teacher along with CNN Hero and Founder of Bumi Sehat, Midwife Ibu Robin Lim and Orgasmic Birth Founder and DONA Birth Doula Trainer, Debra Pascali-Bonaro.

DONA Birth Doula 7 day, 8 night retreat
Immerse yourself in all things birth while completing two of the requirements of DONA International Birth Doula Certification. Most birth doula workshops take place over the course of two or three days. Our immersive workshop and retreat allows for additional time to dive deeper, connect, learn, grow, and open your heart all while being embraced by the beauty of Bali. DONA Birth Doula Trainer, Debra Pascali-Bonaro joins CNN Hero and Founder of Bumi Sehat, Midwife Ibu Robin Lim to offer 3 of the requirements of DONA Birth Doula Certification.
Our retreats are only once per year. Learn more and register for our retreats
www.eatpraydoula.com

Speaker Sponsor ~ Rainbow Chai

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Rainbow Chai creates a myriad of delicious chai beverages, from organic, caffeine free, and looseleaf to biodegradable teabags to make the best chai, fast, with no washing up! Perfect for pregnant women, Mothers and Birthworkers drinking tea at all hours! All the yum emerges from an off grid production house (chai shed) deep in the forest in Northern NSW, is run co-operatively and with as minimal an eco footprint as possible. Australia's original packaged chai co, since 1988, and still the best!
​https://www.chai.com.au/

Retracing, rekindling and reclaiming inner knowing
​for more attuned birthing in our modern times