In a 2023 Australian Birth Experience survey, 39.2 per cent of women stated if they were to birth again, they would “be ready next time.” Their main concern was that they didn’t feel confident enough to advocate for themselves.
As you move closer towards your due date, you might already have the stroller chosen, the car seat ready and probably the bassinet too. With so many options at hand, maybe you spoke to someone who had purchased the items, or read reviews online to make sure you were certain before spending your hard earned dollars. It always feels good to make decisions from a place of confidence and reliable information.
Planning your labour and delivery
How can you build the same confidence when it comes to labour and delivery? As part of our parent education program at St John of God Midland Public Hospital, we are committed to making sure you and your birth support people have access to the latest evidence informed education so you are as prepared as you can be. The education sessions are an opportunity to carefully consider your birth preferences, taking into account your journey so far and identifying what you’d prefer not to be in your birthing Plan A and why.
Planning for the unplanned
What happens when unplanned events occur? The twists and turns of labour and birth can be an overwhelming experience, especially if, for example, if you are being asked to suddenly decide whether to have an induction of labour.
Our Planning for the Unplanned parent education class offers a guide to induction of labour, assisted birth interventions, caesarean birth and tools on how to manage unexpected outcomes during childbirth. It’s a one-stop shop for all the evidence-informed information you will need to make sure you don’t have to wait for your “next birth” to feel knowledgeable, confident and aware of how to advocate for yourself and your baby, no matter the circumstances.
Families who have attended in the past shared their positive feedback:
- “I really appreciated the presenters. They were calm and clear but also showed they understood the realities of the fears and possible consequences of the unexpected.”
- “The "planning the unexpected" class was my favourite, it was packed with an abundance of information - loved that we were showed the real life instruments which could possibly be used during labour and birth. Fabulous way to be prepared. Also all questions were answered.”
By preparing for labour and delivery, you can be empowered to ask for and receive the childbirth experience you want, as well as have more information about what is sometimes involved in the unplanned events of late pregnancy, labour and birth.
Come along every third Thursday evening at 6pm. You can register here for upcoming classes.
Educators, Lesley (left) and Janet
