Birthwell Birthright

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About Us

birthwell birthright is a Melbourne-based independent childbirth education practice that was established in 2012 by Tanya Cawthorne. Tanya is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE), Fellow of the Association of Certified Childbirth Educators (FACCE), DONA International trained birth doula and a member of the Lamaze International Board of Directors. She is also an accredited educator and trainer with the Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia (CAPEA). Her internationally-accredited Lamaze Childbirth Educator training program is offered in a number of cities across Australia each year and is also accredited by the Australian College of Midwives.

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Have you ever thought about becoming a doula?

By enrolling in Birth for Humankind's Foundational Doula Training, you are proactively improving access to equitable maternal care for all women and birthing people. You will experience a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive training perspective via evidence-based practice, and benefit from the value of lived experience and peer learning provided by our experienced Programs team (including me!)

As well as equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to offer birth support, our Foundational Doula Training is unique in many ways.

One of the most important being, that when you complete your coursework, we will provide you with the opportunity to be matched as a volunteer with the 3 clients needed to complete the practical birthing support components of your learning.

This alleviates the need for you to "find" families to work with, and you will have the added bonus of being guided by our experienced and highly skilled mentors to embed your practice.

Full course details can be found on the Birth for Humankind website (link in bio) and enrolments are now open for the June intake.

#birthforhumankind #doula #doulalife #melbournedoulas #doulasofmelbourne #doulatraining #birthworker

One of the topics I cover in my Lamaze childbirth classes that I always find challenging is that of Group B Strep (GBS).
My steadfast go-to for the latest evidence on GBS is the fabulous Dr Sara Wickham.
"Group B Strep (GBS) is a bacteria that many people carry in the vagina and anus. Most of the time it doesn’t cause any problems. Very occasionally, a newborn baby can become infected with this bacteria and become ill. Even more occasionally, GBS disease can lead to serious illness or be fatal.
The issue with GBS screening and treatment is that we have a condition that affects a very small number of babies, but that can sometimes be serious or fatal.

The screening and treatment have significant downsides, we are giving antibiotics to many thousands of people who don’t benefit from them, and parents have to weigh up difficult decisions in the absence of good evidence."
Pregnant women are offered screening and treatment for GBS, but this is controversial. Here in Australia, there is no consensus agreement on testing protocols, with some hospitals recommending universal screening (e.g. ALL pregnant women are offered the test) and others take a risk-based approach. In private practice, there are obstetricians that insist all their patients have the screening test, and others who barely mention it.
Therefore, it's very challenging to help couples to make an informed decision on whether or not to screen for the bacteria, and if they do and the result is positive, whether or not to consent to IV antibiotics during labour.

If you are pregnant and trying to decide whether or not you want to be screened for GBS, I strongly recommend that you check out Sarah Wickham's website for more information.
#lamazeaustralia #informedbirth #lamazepregnancy #lamazeinternational #birth #childbirth #motherhood #lamaze6HBP #lamazebirthclass #childbirthclass #lamazeclasses #lamaze #lamazeeducation #evidencebasedchildbirtheducation #pregnancy #lamazechildbirtheducators #lamazeclass #parenthood #newborn #postpartum #informedbirth #evidencebasedbirth #sarawickham #GBS

For all the doulas out there! There may be times in your doula career where you need a break from being on call (don’t we all?!) but want to stay involved in birth work.

Childbirth education is a way to stay involved with birth and the families who are birthing - withOUT being on call.

Join me in Sydney for the next in-person Lamaze childbirth educator training program June 21-25. Get ready to become a Lamaze educator! ‼️REGISTER BY APRIL 30 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ‼️

Check out the link in our bio to get started! #lamaze #lamazeinternational #lamazeaustralia #lamazechildbirtheducator #birthwork #birthworker #doula #doulalife

Being a doula not just a job for me, it’s a calling. With over 10 years of experience as a Lamaze childbirth educator and birth doula, I understand the birth process, and I know how important a positive birth experience is for new parents.

You want a great birth. What does that look like for you? This is your birth, your baby, your voice. It is my job to support all your choices. Birth is an intense, amazing journey, and I’m here for you, step by step.

I have a limited number of spots available between now and August, so if you've been thinking about having a doula to support you, then please get in touch so we can have a chat! I service most of metro Melbourne and support hospital and homebirth.

To download a copy of my doula welcome pack, please click on the link in my bio.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!

#doula #doulalife #doulasupport #supportedbirth #evidencebasedbirth #childbirtheducation #lamaze #lamazechildbirtheducation #lamazeinternational #lamazeaustralia #pregnancy #birth #positivebirth #empoweredbirth #parenting #motherhood #fatherhood #lgbtqiaally

Are you, or someone you know expecting around June/July? If so, then our May Lamaze class is perfect for you!
Over two consecutive Saturdays (May 6 & 13) we’ll cover everything you and your partner will need to know in order to feel confident and ready for labour, birth and early parenting!
Places are strictly limited, so book early to guarantee your spot!
To register, please visit the link in our bio.

#lamaze #lamazeclass #lamazeeducation #lamazeaustralia #lamazeinternational #evidencebasedbirth #informeddecisionmaking #womancentredcare #pregnancy #birth #parenting #breastfeeding #newborncare #parenting #newfather #newdad #newmum

VBAC education has always been a passion of mine. Please feel free to share this new blog with anyone you know who is planning a VBAC. Link in bio!

#vbac #vbac2 #vbacbaby #vbacfacts #vbacdoula #VBACSupport #vbacsuccess #vbacwithoutfear #lamaze #lamazeclass #lamazeinternational #lamazechildbirtheducator #lamazeaustralia #evidencebasedcare #evidencebasedbirth #evidencebasedmedicine #evidencebasedparenting #caesarean #caesareanbirth #birthstory #birthtrauma #birthtraumasupport #birthtraumahealing #birthtraumarecovery

Acupressure as a technique for effective pain relief in labour is well supported by quality research.

To learn more about how you can utilise this very effective, non-medical approach to pain management, check out the fantastic resources from Debra Betts.

https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/

#lamazeaustralia #informedbirth #lamazepregnancy #lamazeinternational #birth #childbirth #motherhood #lamaze6HBP #lamazebirthclass #childbirthclass #lamazeclasses #lamaze #lamazeeducation #evidencebasedchildbirtheducation #pregnancy #lamazechildbirtheducators #lamazeclass #parenthood #newborn #postpartum #informedbirth #evidencebasedbirth #acupressure #debrabetts

An article appeared in The Age today that really effin' pissed me off. So I wrote a blog about it. You can read it by clicking on the link in my bio.

#lamazeaustralia #informedbirth #lamazepregnancy #lamazeinternational #birth #childbirth #motherhood #lamaze6HBP #lamazebirthclass #childbirthclass #lamazeclasses #lamaze #lamazeeducation #evidencebasedchildbirtheducation #pregnancy #lamazechildbirtheducators #lamazeclass #parenthood #newborn #postpartum #informedbirth #evidencebasedbirth #theage #birthhormones

The baby aisle in the supermarket is lined with a sea of confusing products - 90% you probably don't need! This includes all those disposable wipes (especially the scented ones). Your newborn baby's skin is extremely sensitive and that, combined with the fact that their tiny tummies don't exactly produce a huge amount of output, means that you really only need a small soft cotton washcloth, or a little makeup removal pad dipped in warm water to clean their gorgeous little tushies!

Just make sure that you pat their bum nice and dry before putting on a new nappy - and if necessary, put a little schmear of barrier cream like Sudocrem or my personal favourite, Weleda's Calendula cream, which is super gentle on baby's bottom.

I have to say that the irony of this study did not escape me! Lamaze is often associated with "breathing" and used to be affectionately referred to as the "huffing and puffing classes" 😂

While breathing is not the exclusive hallmark of Lamaze childbirth education these days (evidence-based research is really the foundation of Lamaze education today), that being said - we have always acknowledged the importance of breathing and relaxation during pregnancy and birth, which is why we still include it as an essential part of our classes.

And this new systematic review by Leutenegger, V. et al (2022) demonstrates exactly what we've known for over 60 years!

You can read the full study here: https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-022-05178-w

If you are expecting a bub in April/May, then our March Lamaze childbirth education course is ideal for you!

Our classes always small and intimate – giving you lots of opportunity to ask questions and practice active labour positions and comfort measures. Our first session is focused on labour and birth, whereas our second session starts where we left off the week before, with the birth of the baby and from there, we will explore a wide variety of topics related to newborn care, including breastfeeding and infant sleep. Week 2 also covers postpartum recovery from birth, including the physical and emotional aspects of early postpartum, as well as perinatal mood disorders and relationship adjustments when the two of you become a family of three!

Places are extremely limited, so to book your spot, please visit http://birthwellbirthright.com/645-2/course-schedule/

Final opportunity to register for the 2023 Melbourne Lamaze childbirth educator training program (Feb 22 - 26). There are only 2 spots left!

To learn more about this internationally accredited training program which is approved for 39 CPD hours with the Australian College of Midwives and is endorsed by CAPEA - Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia, please visit the link in our bio.

#lamazeaustralia #informedbirth #lamazepregnancy #lamazeinternational #birth #childbirth #motherhood #lamaze6HBP #lamazebirthclass #childbirthclass #lamazeclasses #lamaze #lamazeeducation #evidencebasedchildbirtheducation #pregnancy #lamazechildbirtheducators #lamazeclass #parenthood #newborn #postpartum #informedbirth #evidencebasedbirth

I cannot believe that 2023 is my 11th year of teaching Lamaze childbirth classes! In that time, I have taught over 600 couples (arrghhh!! - that's a LOT of babies!!) but I still love teaching! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing couples leave the course feeling confident, informed and excited to meet their baby!

If you or your partner are due in the coming months, be sure to check out our course schedule. We run classes over 2 x consecutive Saturdays in Caulfield. Private classes are also available. To book your course, please visit the link in our bio.

#lamazeaustralia #informedbirth #lamazepregnancy #lamazeinternational #birth #childbirth #motherhood #lamaze6HBP #lamazebirthclass #childbirthclass #lamazeclasses #lamaze #lamazeeducation #evidencebasedchildbirtheducation #pregnancy #lamazechildbirtheducators #lamazeclass #parenthood #newborn #postpartum #informedbirth #evidencebasedbirth

After hearing all the fuss a few years ago about the very contentious book, “This is going to hurt” by former NHS OB-GYN, Adam Kay, I watched the new TV series (on Binge if you’re interested).

Kay has been lambasted by birth workers for his misogynistic, arrogant views on childbirth and I have to say - that comes across loud and clear in the show (although I don’t think intentionally). I think most people watching think he’s funny as hell.

It also paints an utterly scathing picture of the broken National Health System in the UK. Horrendously underfunded, under resourced, staff stretched to their limits (and beyond).

I know this might come across at nitpicking, but I’ve picked up two things in this show which I am aghast made it past the medical consultants who were hired to ensure accuracy. One can only assume this included Adam Kay himself as the series is based on his own memoir.
(Cont. in comments)

After 2 very long years, I was thrilled to be able to teach an in-person Lamaze Childbirth Educator training again. And what a fabulous group I had the honour to teach! Say hello to Australia’s and Singapore’s newest Lamaze student educators who will now be studying hard towards their certification exam later this year!
#birthwellbirthright #Lamaze #Lamazechildbirtheducator #Lamazechildbirtheducation #lamazeaustralia #lamazeinternational #childbirtheducation #givebirthwithconfidence #supportnormalbirth #empoweredbirth #birthpreneur #birthpassioneer

Sometimes postpartum doula work also involves caring for your fur babies 🐈‍⬛❤️ #doula #postpartum #doulalife #postpartumdoula #motheringthemother #furbabies #newbaby

Contact Us

If you would like more information about childbirth classes or doula support in Melbourne, please be in touch! Send us an email info@birthwellbirthright.com or phone 0422 067 985.
You can also follow us on Facebook where we are always posting interesting news and information about pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting from Australia and around the world.

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