GentleBirth Classes

Stack the odds in your favour of having a great birth for you and your baby in Ireland.

You’ve heard the horror stories that everyone can't wait to tell you.  You’re wondering if there is anything you can do to give yourself the best chance of a normal birth, a birth that where you and your partner can feel calm, confident and in control?  That way is the GentleBirth way. If you are a VBAC mum scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on VBAC specific classes.

If you think hypnobirthing is only for 'earth mothers' - read on. Most couples come to my workshops not because they are completely ruling out the epidural but because they want to do everything they can to have a positive experience for themselves and their baby. The epidural is a great tool for labour but after your GentleBirth workshop you and your partner will have a several tools in your labour 'toolkit' and with over 70% of my couples never needing any pain relief you're already off to a good start. The Mums who attend GentleBirth workshops are from all walks of life - teachers, stay at home mums, scientists, midwives and students. Like you, they've all heard the scary stories and have decided to stack the deck in their favour of having a great birth experience rather than leaving the biggest day of their lives up to chance.

GentleBirth is the only birth preparation class of it's kind in Ireland. This workshop is for parents who want to be actively involved in decision making and prefer to have an understanding of what choices are available to them for labour and birth in Ireland. You and your partner will learn a LOT more than just self hypnosis. Hypnosis is just one of the many tools you'll have to use on the big day depending on your individual birth sensations.

Is your partner prepared for labour?

Hospital classes don't prepare Dads adequately for birth. Your partner has a huge role in your baby's birth and most are very eager to understand what they can do to help. During the workshop you and your partner develop a clear understanding of how to navigate the overstretched busy Irish maternity system confidently and calmly.  Dads/birth partners appreciate the importance of their role as birth supporter, facilitator and advocate on this very special day. Dads can now download their own GentleBirth sessions to boost their confidence and help them stay calm and confident during this special day.

GentleBirth antenatal weekend workshops combine birth hypnosis (deep relaxation for pregnancy and labour) and active birthing principles enabling couples to have empowered, confident birth experiences with or without medical intervention at home or at the hospital.

When is the best time to come to a workshop?

As soon as you want to start really enjoying your pregnancy - I see couples as early as 9 weeks and as late as 41 weeks. It's never too early, and only too late after your baby has arrived.

Although labour and birth is a serious topic the workshop is a lot of fun (don't worry nobody will be going home barking like a dog) There's plenty of practice too so it makes for a very relaxing, informative weekend.

Over the weekend you'll learn the following and more:

• Physiology of the normal birth process
• Fear Vs Relaxation in Labour - keeping adrenaline at bay
• Sports psychology techniques for pregnancy and birth
• The neuroscience of a gentle birth - rewiring your brain from fear to confidence
• Facilitating the perfect balance of hormones in labour - undisturbed birth
• Breath awareness during labour
• Comfort measures for labour and birth (what you and your partner can do at each stage)
• Use of the birth ball and other tools in labour (including waterbirth)
• Bonding with your baby before birth
• Routine procedures in Irish hospitals and how to avoid unnecessary interventions
• What happens on admission to hospital?
• Being a confident birth partner
• Labour support tools for special circumstances
• Creating an effective birth plan and how to communicate your intentions and preferences
• Informed decision making
• Relaxation techniques for mums and partners for pregnancy and labour
• Why you don't have to push!
• Birth positions
• Recovery tips

You also receive your GentleBirth guide, 3 practice CDs and handouts. GentleBirth couples also receive additional Mp3 downloads. Mums and Dads are also invited to join the GentleBirth yahoo chat group and connect with hundreds of other excited GentleBirth mums around Ireland. Join our monthly meetups around the country for a chat about your practice and your experiences.

During the workshop you'll meet other couples who also want to have an active role in working towards a very positive experience. It gives you and your partner a wonderful opportunity to escape life's day to day demands and just focus on each other and your baby for a weekend. You and your partner will leave the workshop feeling excited about labour - with no fear and ready for the great adventure of parenting - now immune to the scary stories everyone can't wait to tell you!

Read some great GentleBirth stories here

Enrol online

Cost per couple: €375

Beginning February 2010 - VBAC Mums attending a GentleBirth workshop are invited to an additional 2 hour private VBAC class with Tracy in your 3rd trimester (included in your workshop fees).

You'll also receive two free cot sheets when you order a Co-Sleeper from Cots.ie & free shipping OR 10% off their Heart 2 Heart sling - this offer is exclusive to GentleBirth mums attending my workshops.

**If you have already purchased the GentleBirth homestudy program and are interested in attending a workshop the cost of the workshop is only €300.  (regular price €375)**

Workshop Details for All Locations

Saturday - workshop registration is at 12:45pm - workshop begins at 1pm and ends between 6:00 and 6.30pm

Sunday - 9am to 3pm

Tea/Coffee provided throughout the day. Lunch not included.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring several pillows for you and your partner. Bring a blanket as sometimes the air conditioning can be quite cool.