MAMABirth is an evidence-based childbirth education course facilitated by MAMA midwives. They combine their passion & wisdom as experienced midwives with the latest research and evidence to cover topics from pregnancy, labour, birth, the early postnatal period, baby care and breastfeeding. The focus is on keeping normal “normal”, while giving you resources and strategies to navigate the ups and downs of your childbearing journey with confidence.
MAMABirth childbirth education classes:
- Are inclusive – all expectant parents welcome!
- Are capped to small numbers – no more than 10 women & their support people – for an intimate, inclusive & interactive learning environment.
- Are written & presented by qualified, registered midwives, not just someone who took a weekend training course!
- Are independent & evidence-based, which means there’s no:
– hospital policies
– clinician preferences
– branded syllabus - Aim to make you feel excited & empowered
- Aim to help you make informed decisions & communicate these with your health care providers
- Are tailored to you; We send you a pre-class survey to find out more about you & your interests/goals
- Do not show gory or graphic videos or photos
- Are suitable for women in ANY model of care –
– public hospital,
– planned homebirth,
– midwife care,
– obstetrician care
Course outline:
- MAMABirth 1: The last few weeks of pregnancy; hormonal physiology of labour; the early stages of labour; tips for setting up your birth environment, coping strategies, choosing your support team; “natural” ways to encourage labour; perineal massage; antenatal colostrum expressing; optimal fetal positioning (including “Spinning Babies” techniques); Group B Strep screening; Options for models of care & place of birth
- MAMABirth 2: the continuum “stages” of labour; the sensations of labour; what the baby’s doing; assessment techniques; active labour positions; massage techniques; relaxation & breathing; writing a birth plan; informed decision-making B.R.A.I.N. acronym
- MAMABirth 3: working out your pain preferences; dos & don’ts for partners; non-pharmacological pain relief options (TENS, water immersion, sterile water injections); pharmacological pain relief options (epidural, nitrous oxide gas, opioids); birthing the placenta; cutting the cord; the role of interventions & what to expect (caesarean births, instrumental births (forceps & vacuums), induction of labour)
- MAMABirth 4: the first 24hrs (skin-to-skin, first breastfeed, ​Vitmain K, Hepatitis B vaccine); newborn screening test; first bath; breastfeeding (research facts, colostrum vs mature milk, supply & demand, tips for attachment & positioning, frequency of feeds, how to tell if baby’s getting enough, seeking help, troubleshooting tips); normal infant sleep; settling tips; safe sleeping recommendations; postnatal recovery for mum; emotional health
Please note this is a general overview of content explored in great detail in the classes. Each class & series are a little different as we tailor the content to the needs & wishes of our participants.
Options include:
- 2 x 5hr weekend classes in Kensington – MAMABirth 1&2, 3&4
- 4 x 2.5hr weekday evening classes in Kensington – MAMABirth 1, 2, 3, 4
- 1x 3 hour evening class, 2x 3.5 weekend classes in Kensington
Cost is $399 for full childbirth education series, which includes:
- Comprehensive resource pack including MAMABirth booklet
- Ongoing phone & email support from the MAMABirth team after your course
- Tea, coffee & light refreshments (when classes are held in person)
- $50 MAMA Services allied health voucher
- Photography discount voucher from Lacey Barratt Photography
Dates and Bookings
If your preferred date is not showing below, please contact us to join the waitlist or to be notified of future dates when they are released on 03 9376 7474.
Please read our Booking T&Cs below before booking.
2021 MAMABirth Dates
May 2021
Evening Series – Tue 4th, Thur 6th, Tue 11th, Thur 13th 6pm – 8.30pm ​*fully booked*
3-Part series – Fri 7th 6pm – 9pm, Sat 8th & Sat 15th 10.30 – 2pm *fully booked*
Weekend Series – Sat 22nd & Sat 29th 10.30 – 4.30pm *fully booked*
June 2021
Evening Series 1– Tue 1st, Thur 3rd, Tue 8th & Thur 10th 6pm – 8.30pm *fully booked*
3-Part series Online via Zoom – Fri 4th 6pm – 9pm, Sat 5th & Sat 12th 10am – 1.30pm bookings open
Weekend Series – Sat 19th & Sat 26th 10.30am – 4.30pm *fully booked*
Evening Series 2 – Wed 9th, Fri 11th, Wed 16th, Fri 18th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
July 2021
3-Part Series – Fri 2nd 6pm-9pm, Sat 3rd & Sat 10th 10.30am – 2pm *fully booked*
Weekend Series – Sat 24th & Sat 31st 10.30am – 4.30pm *fully booked*
Evening Series -Tue 6th, Thur 8th, Tue 13th & Thur 15th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
August 2021
Weekend series – Sat 21st & Sat 28th 10.30-4.30pm *fully booked*
3 Part Series  – Fri 13th 6pm-9pm, Sun 15th 11am-2.30pm, Sun 22nd 11.am-2.30pm bookings open
Evening Series – Tue 3rd, Thur 5th, Tue 10th & Thur 12th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
September 2021
Weekend series – Sat 18th & Sat 25th 10.30-4.30pm bookings open
3 Part Series – dates to be added soon
Evening Series – Tue 31st Aug, Thur 2nd Sept, Tue 7th, Thur 9th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
October 2021
Weekend series – Sat 23rd & Sat 30th 10.30-4.30pm bookings open
3 Part Series – dates to be added soon
Evening Series – Tue 5th, Thur 7th, Tue 12th & Thur 14th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
November 2021
Weekend series – Sat 20th & Sat 27th 10.30-4.30pm bookings open
3 Part Series – dates to be added soon
Evening Series – Tue 2nd, Thur 4th, Tue 9th, Thur 11th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
December 2021
Weekend series – dates to be added soon
3 Part Series – dates to be added soon
Evening Series – Tue 30th Nov, Thur 2nd, Tue 7th, Thur 9th 6pm – 8.30pm bookings open
For more information visit: https://www.mamabirtheducation.com/
What else do I need to know?
The fine print…
​A non-refundable $160 deposit is required to secure your booking. By making a booking paying your deposit, it is assumed you have read and agree to our terms & conditions, as outlined below.
If you wish to book but have any concerns or questions about the above conditions, please get in touch via email hayley@midwivesandmothers.com.au BEFORE booking online / paying your deposit.
Refund Policy
Please note the $160 deposit required to secure your booking is non-refundable. If you choose to pay the full $399 upfront but then cancel your booking, the $160 deposit is retained.
The only circumstances we would offer a full refund of deposit and course fees would be if
1) if we cancel the course or workshop
2) you have the baby before you are able to attend the class however you must be no more than 36 weeks pregnant on the date of the course you have booked in for. You are still welcome to attend a course beyond 36 weeks of pregnancy with the understanding that no refund will be provided if your baby arrives before the completion of the course.
If you are unable to attend your booked course, you may request to book in for another course date (space permitting), prior to the start of the class or workshop. Exchanges requested after the start of the class or workshop will not be granted.
If your workshop is a series (multiple dates) and the workshop series has started, no refunds or exchanges will be granted.
COVID-19 Policy
MAMABirth classes comply with all public health directives relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we acknowledge that restrictions may change at short notice.
We intend to run classes face-to-face if restrictions permit. However, if restrictions change and face-to-face classes are not permitted, we will still run the class online via Zoom and participants will receive their resource packs in the mail (if applicable). Refunds do not apply should face-to-face classes need to be held via Zoom due to public health directives.
If on the day of their face-to-face classes, participants are unwell, have any symptoms of COVID-19, have visited listed exposure sites, had contact with confirmed cases, are awaiting a swab result, or have otherwise been directed to self-isolate by health authorities, they cannot attend classes in-person, and will be provided with a Zoom link to still participate in the class from home. Full or partial refunds do not apply in this instance. “
Disclaimer/Waiver & Consent form
Prior to participating in the course, all participants are required to sign a disclaimer/waiver/consent form agreeing to the following:
Information & advice provided in the classes is of a general nature only and may not necessarily pertain to your individual circumstances.
Important decisions regarding you or your baby’s care should not be based solely on the information & advice presented in these classes. The information should rather be evaluated in the context of your individual circumstances, in discussion with your maternity care provider.
You agree to contact your maternity care provider in the first instance if you have any concerns regarding your wellbeing or that of your baby.
We cannot accept responsibility for any links provided to external websites as the content may change from when we have viewed them. The views, opinions and beliefs expressed are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily correlate with those of Midwives and Mothers Australia (MAMA) or the MAMABirth presenters.
Classes may include practising upright, mobile & active positions recommended for pregnancy, labour & birth. Please speak to your maternity care provider if you have any concerns/underlying issues to confirm you are able to perform basic postures.
In any event, you acknowledge and agree that you assume the risks associated with any and all activities and/or exercise in which you participate & in the event of any injury you waive any claims against MAMABirth.
No Shows / Arriving Late
All classes will commence at the start time stated on your confirmation letter unless otherwise arranged, therefore if you are running late, you are requested to contact the MAMABirth presenter via the contact details provided on your confirmation letter. Classes times will not be rescheduled or postponed due to lateness; missed time & content will be forfeited.
Full or partial refunds will not be granted for no-shows or arriving late unless under exceptional circumstances, and only at the sole discretion of the MAMABirth presenter.
Vouchers
MAMABirth classes include free vouchers to be used at the leisure of participants. Sole responsibility for redeeming vouchers, as instructed on each voucher, lies with participants. See individual vouchers for T&Cs.
