Calmbirth®
With Melinda WEbb 
Antenatal Classes
Antenatal classes are often seen as a way to prepare for childbirth, and Calmbirth goes further, helping expectant parents to understand and prepare for the psychological aspects of birth. The Calmbirth method seeks to instil a sense of calm and confidence in parents, helping them approach childbirth positively. The core principle is that birth is a natural process that should be respected and celebrated. By attending Calmbirth classes, parents can learn breathing and relaxation techniques to help them remain calm during labour. In addition, they will gain a greater understanding of how the mind and body work together during childbirth.
You will also have the opportunity to practice these techniques so that you are confident in using them when the time comes. In addition, you will learn about the different stages of labour and what to expect so that you can be prepared for anything that might happen. By the end of the class, you should feel more confident and excited about welcoming your new baby into the world.
Melinda teaches classes every fortnight in the studio at Beattie Street Health, with a capacity of only ten couples. The classes provide ample time for questions and the benefit of meeting like-minded people who can become lifelong friends!
We cater for all dietary requirements with fresh and wholesome food prepared onsite.
Image by Jerusha Sutton
-
Group classes are held in our light-filled studio, in person, approximately every third weekend.
The course runs over both Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 - 5.30 pm.
Maximum of 10 couples per class.
-
Individual classes are held in person on a single day 9-5pm, with a follow-up session closer to your due date. Usually held on a Friday, this is a more personalised approach to the Calmbirth education workshop.
-
If you have previously experienced Calmbirth and need some revision, the Calmbirth Refresher classes are available on a Friday 12-4 pm.
Please note classes can only proceed with a minium of two couples.
-
Cancellation of Your Class
A $595 payment will be refunded for course booking cancellations that occur at least four weeks before the course date. If the booking is cancelled within four weeks of the course date, this amount will be reimbursed if the withdrawn place is filled before the due date. Melinda will make all efforts to find a replacement couple to fill the cancelled place. The balance withheld covers credit card, bank and administration charges of $95 incurred with the cancellation and re-advertising of the couple’s place in the course. The reimbursed fee will be refunded to your designated bank account. Please take every care to attend the class when you are booked.
We respect difficult circumstances and will extend kindness and assistance wherever possible to enable you to attend. We do NOT offer refunds for change of mind, or where care providers are recommending C-Section.
Know someone who would benefit from Calmbirth?
Click on the link below, select the amount $595 and give a truly amazing gift.
benefits of calmbirthBeing prepared and confident for childbirth.
Reduce the rates of medical intervention.
Reduce the use of pain relief and epidurals during childbirth.
Reduce the impact of perinatal anxiety.
Reduce postnatal depression in women after childbirth.
Addresses the needs of birthing couples on an emotional and physical level.
Techniques specifically geared toward partner involvement and confidence.
Melinda WebbFor over 10 years, Melinda has been helping people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Pregnancy is a beautiful stage of life. Bringing a child into the world is a personal and intimate experience.
What is Calmbirth®
The Calmbirth program was founded by the wonderful Peter Jackson, who was influenced, in part by the work and beliefs of British obstetrician Dr Grantly Dick-Reid, who published Childbirth Without Fear in 1942.
Partners or those supporting throughout, learn how to provide a calm and encouraging environment for labour, during birth and beyond.
The support people discover the best ways to protect the birth space and be the conduit between the mother and her care team. Equally important, they learn Calmbirth® breathing techniques and ways to gently support with hands-on care through massage, acupressure and bodywork.
Melinda has worked with women and their partners for the last 14 years; she knows that regardless of daily life, each person requires support and respect and feels that their needs have been met. This is a time of great change in emotions, the body, relationships, work and finances; however, none of this should change the beauty of birth.
What we will cover
-
Calmbirth includes psychological and emotional preparation for birth; how you think and feel dictates how your body responds to labour and birth. Gaining a greater understanding of the subconscious and conscious mind and their role in your preparation.
-
Learning about the stages of labour and how your body and baby work together through this incredibly powerful journey. How your partner can help through the stages and how the Calmbirth breathing techniques assist you in moving through with a flow.
-
Learning to breathe effectively and how this can transform your birthing experience using the Calmbirth breathing techniques taught within the class. These techniques can change your health and well-being from the get-go!
-
The mind-body connection changes when you utilise visualisation; this not only aids with moving through the stages of labour but also changes how your body reacts to the sensations experienced during labour and birth.
-
As we move through the class you are provided with many tools that help both mother and the birthing team, from massage techniques, acupressure, bodywork, and positions for labour. Along with understanding the different care facilities provided for birth and how to work with the care team to your advantage.
-
This is a wonderful way of understanding how the body works with the different directions labour and birth can go. We prepare you with knowledge on how to prepare for any possibilities that may pop up during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period. We share birth templates for you to use with your birth preferences on welcoming your baby into the world.
-
We talk about the “Golden Hours” when your baby arrives and your world changes, how and what happens in these hours after birth. How you can prepare, what questions you can ask your care team before your baby arrives in those last weeks of preparation.
-
When a baby is born, so is a mother and birthing partner. Learning about breastfeeding, those first few weeks, sleep and settle techniques, and how to communicate with those around you. Some simple tools that help with recognising a baby’s cries and how you can ease into parenting.
-
Acupressure is used for natural pain relief in labour. We teach you simple acupressure techniques, that aid as a tool to reduce pain in labour and ease naturally through each stage. You will be shown how to use acupressure for descending a baby, helps to dilate the cervix, regulate contractions, encourage labour to progress, help with turning a baby into an anterior position, relieve nausea and vomiting, and ease after pains. It is a great tool for the birthing partner, and support team, allowing them to actively support a mother through labour with emotional and physical relief.
Frequently asked questions
-
This program has been shown to help reduce symptoms that are associated with stress, anxiety, and fear related to labour and birth. Calmbirth takes in conscious parenting to help with the transition into becoming a parent or support person.
The biological chemistry of the breathwork used in Calmbirth, the powerful breathing techniques, and visualisations taught is the quickest way to change your state of being and have the capacity to make decisions if under pressure.
With the breath being a free and easily accessed tool that everyone can use it connects us to our surroundings, and the decisions we make, and brings people together when welcoming in their baby. It slows, calms, and gives clarity.
-
Calmbirth is for everyone, not just first-time parents. It is for those wanting to seek the guidance of Calmbirth for their next birth.
-
We encourage you to book your class between 28-34 weeks, however, attendees are able to book in as late as 35/36 weeks. It has incredible benefits regardless of where you are in your pregnancy journey.
-
For a Calmbirth Group class, click on the link below - “Book Your Class”
Calmbirth Workshop - Group Class - Under Group Booking Section.
This will take you into the calendar and tentatively place a booking. After that, full payment is required to secure your booking
There are many dates to choose from as we hold classes fortnightly, however, if a class is booked, get in touch as we have a wait list you can join. Things change quickly and we can ensure you get contacted as soon as a place becomes available.
If there is a group of you wishing to attend the same class, please get in contact to discuss dates that are available to suit your needs.
-
All Calmbirth classes are held face to face at Beattie Street Health Studio in Balmain, Sydney. It can be a weekend away for those from out of town before your baby arrives. The classes are small, so everyone gets heard and looked after, with no more than 9 couples attending. They are held over one weekend, covering both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9.30 am and finishing at 5.30 pm
-
Calmbirth group class costs $595. The price includes your partner/support person also. When booking, even though it only shows the Saturday, it also includes the Sunday as part of your booking, you don’t need to book both days, and it automatically books you for both.
-
Additionally, you can combine your Calmbirth class with an Acupuncture Care Package that helps you relax into labour.
Acupuncture has been proven to shorten labour times, and combined with Calmbirth breathing, you have the perfect combination. -
Private classes are available on a Wednesday or Friday.
Private classes are held over one day or evening at a cost of $895 for you and your support person/partner.
Please get in touch with Mel to discuss options for a more personalised approach to Calmbirth
at Mel@beattiestreet.health -
Your booking includes your Calmbirth relaxations, Calmbirth book, acupressure booklet, and a goodie bag.
-
Both morning and afternoon tea are catered for, with dietary requirements considered.
Lunch is not included, however many food options can be found a short walk from clinic
-
Reach out to Mel@beattiestreet.health for any other Calmbirth-related questions.
