Active Birth Workshop that doesn't require second mortgage?

[TheNewShmoo]

I have done a tonne of reading on active birth (Penny Simkin, Ina May Gaskin, Jean Sutton, Leboyer) but really think a workshop is needed to get DH into the spirit of things. The Janet Balaskas weekend workshop is £350! I'm just getting over the shock of paying £300 for my NCT antenatal classes...

My local yoga group has an active birth preparation class for 2 hours run by an 'accredited' active birth teacher, for £50- but I'm thinking this can't be that thorough? Any one else attended an active birth workshop/class in London which can be recommended?

I'm shocked at cost too.
Watching with interest.

If you can get to st albans try the verulam clinic. I seem to remember it being much cheaper than that.

This person seems cheaper: www.rutharmes.com/

Yoga junction. Crouch end

I'm trying to work out what could possibly take a whole weekend to say about active birth. Having done two of the things myself (active births, not the workshops on them) it seemed to boil down to 'keep on moving' - I just walked around the room the whole time, towards the end supported by DH and a midwife. Went down on all fours for the contractions, but a lot of women like leaning against a wall or over a gym ball. I think a two-hour seminar would just about cover that major insight. Perhaps you practice walking around?

On the other hand, I did pregnancy yoga sessions once a week throughout both pregnancies, and they sort of made the assumption that people would be aiming for an active birth with minimal artificial pain relief; I found them enormously useful both for the physical and mental aspects of birth. Maybe these workshops aim for a similar thing, I'd be interested if they have any USPs. But yeah, 350 nicker is a major rip-off. If you just want to get your DP mentally involved, I'd say 50 quid is enough.

Apologies if I'm just being a bit too cynical altogether.

I don't live in London but my local MLU has an active birth workshop that is totally free, it is only a couple of hours. Perhaps see if your trust offers anything similar.

I would agree with mothermountaingoat about pregnancy yoga sessions, our teacher is quite focused on breathing techniques and positions that will help in birth along with general pregnancy well-being. You'll also get the benefit of being able to practise continuously throughout your pregnancy which would be much better preparation than just one weekend.

My pregnancy yoga teacher runs a birthing workshop for couples/birthing partners. It's based in Blackheath and I would really recommend it. I think that one is only 2 hours too but there are only 5 couples per class so you get a lot of individual attention... you might be surprised by your local one?

The Yoga Place in Bethnal Green ran them when I was pregnant last time. A day long, sure it was not £300! Check out their website.

Does your hospital offer an active birth class? My hospital did do them, possibly and hour or 2 combined with a trip around the wards, I?m not sure. The midwife that ran it was fantastic, out of all the hours I spent in classes for my first baby (nearly 4 years ago) this is the course that I remember and it was completely free.

Thanks guys... very interesting- must check with my local trust.

I am doing antenatal yoga at the moment, but what I wanted to 'practice' was the loads of really effective positions to get a baby out of an awkward position in labour (ie posterior, chin not tucked) which can make labour longer and more painful.

I've had friends go through really long labours only to be told right at the end that they need a c section/induction drugs/forceps etc because the baby is malpresented, and by that point I guess you'd do anything to get the baby out! Apparently lots of these interventions can be avoided if you've got a good doula who can work you through the necessary positions (inversion, tilts, diaphragmatic releases, rebozo sifts) and reposition the baby in the birth canal. I wonder if these classes teach these positions? Or am I over-preparing?

I really don't want a medicalised birth...

Here are some active birth classes for couples, you could see if there is one near you. £75 per couple:

Couples Workshops

You are over preparing - just stay on your feet - apart from this there is little you can practice to change this. If you need to move to help the presentation the Midwife will know what you need to do - they have done this before!

I have managed to successfully give birth without intervention to four babies (3 at home) without going to any classes. NCT is about meeting people that is all. All the huffing puffing rubbish is seldom any use - just be cool and keep on your feet - you will be fine.