Birth Week

I'm counting sleeps till next week.... Birth Week. A group of midwives, doulas and women have put together a five day seminar program for mothers, pregnant women, midwives, partners and support people, about birth and all things birth related up at Kallista Mechanics Hall - fifteen minutes from my place none the less! Most of the sessions have a $10 donation fee and include moring tea, afternoon tea or supper. The hall will be open all day inbetween sessions with information and resources. I'll be trying to get to as many sessions as possible in between my exams on the 9th an10th.

Kallista Mechanics Hall, Church St. Kallista

Wedneday 8th November

• 9.30am Opening
• 9.45-11.45am A 'Birthwork' Circle: Looks at working with natural birth, intuitive birth wisdom, knowledge and skills.
• 1-3.30pm 'The Big Stretch': Film screening and discusion about natural birth, using your body and breath to assist labour
• 7.30-10.30pm Birth Stories: Listen to women share their stories, and share yours. Women only.

Thursday 9th November

• 9.30-11.30am Enhancing Birthing Potential - Part 1: Exploring current birth culture, choice of care-giver, place of birth, intervention rates and their affect on birth.
• 1-3.30pm Enhancing Birthing Potential - Part 2: Exploring the impact of the physical, emotional and psychological on birth potential.
• 7.30-10.30pm Birth Stories: Listen to women share their stories, and share yours. Women only.

Friday 10th November

• 9.30-11.30am Homebirth & Waterbirth: Answering questions about homebirth and waterbirth, followed by a waterbirth video.
• 1-4pm Creative Art Workshop - Trusting Your Body: Explore and create with clay, drawing and words. Faciltated by a menstrual educator.
• 7.30-10.30pm Fathers Circle: Men share stories about the birth of their children. Men only.

Saturday 11th November

• 9.30-11.30am Breech Birth - Open Forum: Discussion about breech birth, how to face fears, make empowered choices, and find support.
• 1-2.30pm VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean): Presenting important information about VBAC, make an informed choice.
• 2.30-4.30pm Meet the Midwives and Doulas/Birth Attendants: Come meet local care-providers who respect pregnancy as a normal part of life.
• 7.30-9.30pm 'Birth Rites' Film Screening: A film comparing Outback birth issues to the icey regions of Artic Canada.

Sunday 12th November

• 9.30-11.30am Rites of Passage - Mother Blessings: Looking at ways to honour and nuture the journy of motherhood with beauty and ceremony.
• 1-3pm Placentas & Lotus Birth: Answering questions about Lotus birth and placentas and discussing cultural practices following birth.
• 3pm Closing

I'm really looking forward to the session on placentas... they facinate me. Have a bit of a read about them at Navelgazing Midwife and check out the comparison photos of a healthy and not so healthy placenta.