CANBERRA PRACTITIONERS AND LOCAL RESOURCES
We are very fortunate in Canberra to have many wonderful, caring practitioners who are very experienced in working with pregnant women. If you recommend a good practitioner contact Julia and they will be added.
CALM BIRTH – a wonderful childbirth preparation aiming at increasing confidence, positivity and creating a calm and peaceful birth experience.
Tracey Anderson Askew 0414 267 791 www.calmbirthcanberra.com.au
BIRTH SKILLS – similar preparation to above, Shari also runs meditation for pregnancy courses
Shari Read www.birthskills.com.au
DOULAS – Doulas support women during pregnancy, labour and after the birth and have been shown to make a significant difference in positive birth outcomes
Margie Perkins 6241 6031
Ingrid McKenzie 6249 6684
Ingrid and Margie work together: www.newlives.com.au
Vicky Hingston Jones 0422 008 759 www.confidentbirth.com.au
Jennifer Staniforth 0421 733 848 www.empoweredforbirth.com
Rachel Ford (Birth in Harmony) 6292 119 www.birthinharmony.com.au -
Rachel Vines 6288 7275/0417 699 429 www.thebirthyurt.com.au. Rachel also teaches “Creative Birth Preparation” based on the popular book Birthing from Within.
INDEPENDENT MIDWIFE – For homebirth or birth support
Marie Heath 0407 266 004
Also see website www.homebirthaustralia.org
ACUPUNCTURISTS – Many women find acupuncture very useful and beneficial during pregnancy and as a preparation for labour (also when labour is overdue). The acupuncturists listed below have a special interest in pregnancy work.
Hui Min Wang 6286 3214 O’Malley
Jan Jamieson 6247 5564 – Turner
Alex Perry 6162 4950/www.blueskyclinic.com.au – Manuka
Jennifer Voelker 6241 1975
Damien Carey Burrows Life Gate 6288 1122 – Duffy
Xiao Lu Li 6259 8258 Flynn
Elissa Chapman 6257 6055 elissachapman@yahoo.com.au – Lynham
PREGNANCY MASSAGE THERAPISTS – Massage during pregnancy can help to prevent and alleviate many discomforts which may occur. It is also important to improve circulation and bring deep relaxation, often helping sleep and reducing stress levels. For LABOUR MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE please see section on this website “Preparing for Positive Birth”
Megan Brown 0438 060 806
Jill Dobkin 0418 201 897
Takako Mizogami 0429 440 124, takako.mizogami@gmail.com, www.bodyandmind.com.au
Body & Bump Massage – Jules Jauregui, Pregnancy Massage Therapist and Certified Infant Massage Instructor 0413 223 573/02 6251 6550 jules@babyand bumpmassage.com.au
Suzie Williams (Bowen Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Flower Essences, Aromatherapy, private Dru Yoga classes) 0413 33293 suzie@essencehealing.com.au
Om Shanti College – has a student clinic as well as a professional clinic for massage. They also run various yoga classes and massage training. www.omshanticollege.com.au 6295 232
Jenny Richardson (orthopaedic and Remedial Massage, Oncology Massage, Pregnancy Massage) 0404 871 230 jennysr@gmail.com
Reflexology – Kendra Boone 0417 423 804 – Kambah
OSTEOPATHS – Osteopathy is an excellent preparation for birth, making sure that the pelvis is aligned to allow for a smoother birth. It can also treat pregnancy discomforts or pre-existing conditions. This gentle treatment is suggested for newborns, particular those who may have experienced difficulties during birth.
Maxwell Fravall (babies) 6231 9111/www.opening-the-door.com
Christina (associate of Dr. Fravall)
Please note both Maxwell and Christina are booked up for often months in advance. If you would like to have a treatment for you or your baby book way ahead of when you might need the appointment
Sally Wallace 0419 494 027 www.familyoesteopathy.com
Melissa Coulter 6296 3370
CHIROPRACTORS – Another appropriate treatment for pregnancy, post natal and babies.
Fiona Glenn – Forrest Chiropractic 6295 2599
Kathy Knight –Universal Chiropractic 6232 6835
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS – These services are usually available at the hospital. Otherwise most physiotherapy clinics will have physios specializing in pregnancy and women’s health
Southside Physiotherapy 6293 4355 www.southsidephysio.com.au – kerri@southsidephysio.com.au
NATUROPATHS AND HOMEOPATHS – There are many natural remedies and homeopathic remedies which are safe to take during pregnancy and can greatly ease labour.
Rosi Pleitzer- Vitality Health Centre 6282 1294 (Woden & Tuggeranong)
Gerry Dendrinos- The Hierophant 6295 6939 (Griffith)
Robyn Elliott 0411 185 413 (Curtin)
Di Barton 6297 7791 (Quenbeyan)
USEFUL COURSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
THE FIRST SIX WEEKS
A great programme for expectant parents run by author David Vernon (Having a Baby in Australia and Fathers at Birth) and Childbirth Educator and Lactation consultant Ingrid McKenzie.
www.firstsixweeks.info
PARENTING AND RELATIONSHIPS GROUP
Relationships Australia and Canberra Mothercraft Society have combined their programmes (Relaxing into parenting and “And Baby Makes Three”)
These are free classes run in different parts of Canberra. For bookings and further information please contact:
Relationships Australia 6122 7120 or
Canberra Mothercraft Society 6205 2333
PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS - 02 6258 4216
PARENT LINE – 02 6287 3883
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOKS
PREGNANCY:
New Active Birth – Janet Balaskas
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth – Ina May Gaskin
Birth Skills – Ju Ju Sundin
25 Ways to Awaken Your Birth Power – Danette Watson & Stephanie Corkhill
SOME USEFUL WEBSITES
General information on pregnancy and birth
www.birth.com – excellent birthing information. On-line ante-natal classes to help you make informed choices.
www.pregnancy.com.au – Australian site with information about pregnancy, birth and parenting
www.activebirth.com -the website of Janet Balaskas author of the wonderful book New Active Birth. Lots of good articles available to print off and keep, including Active Birth Manifesto, Birth Plans etc. Sign up for weekly information according to your stage of pregnancy with an emphasis on natural and Active Birth
www.sheilakitzinger.com the website of the anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger author of many books on Pregnancy, labour birthing and breastfeeding and parenting.
www.sarahjbuckley.com – Brisbane GP Dr. Sarah Buckley, author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering and many excellent articles. Free e-book available “Ecstatic Birth”
www.maternitycoalition.org.au – Free information sheets to help make informed choices about childbirth.
www.hencigoer.com – Excellent up to date information from medical researcher and educator Henci Goer. Latest research on many types of management for pregnancy and birth.
www.childbirthconnection.org – Information on birth with evidence based research
www.waterbirthinfo.com – information on the use of water in labour and birth
www.birthinternational.com Educational resources for midwives, childbirth educators and parents. Also links to other good websites.
ww.cordclamping.com A collection of articles regarding cord clamping.
www.maternitywise.org since 1918 the Maternity Center Association has been dedicated to the needs and interests of childbearing women and their families. This website helps women learn about options and make informed decisions. Full text of A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth (Enkin, M) available to download – latest research based evidence.
www.mayo.edu/ultrasound/news article regarding ultrasound use for unborn babies.
www.wonderfulbirth.com – good website of Melbourne Childbirth educator Lina Clarke, access to good articles
www.birthworks.org/primal health – website of well known French obstetrician Michel Odent who has dramatically improved our approach to birth and now works in UK as homebirth obstetrician
www.cochraneconsumer.com Cochrane collaboration consumer. A free service which can be used to track down research articles on effects of interventions in health care. Up to date information.
www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz – Nurse and acupuncturist Debra Betts in NZ specialising in pregnancy and birth. Acupuncture information for turning a breech baby in late pregnancy plus many acupressure points to use during labour
www.birthpsychology.com/birthscene/initiative.html for birthing info by Dr. Marsden Wagner (World Health Organisation) – author of excellent book Pursuing the Birth Machine, looking into how too much intervention is used during birth.
www.e-lifeoptions.com – Doula (birth support) training
www.birthspirit.co.nz – information and research on options with breech birth
www.spinningbabies.com – great information about positioning your baby well before labour begins
www.thirdstageoflabour.org – information on choices for third stage of labour
www.birthjourney.com/thirdstagemaze.php – third stage options explored by an Australian midwife
www.whale.to/a/rothville.html – research paper on the benefits and risks of administering Vit K to newborns
www.amba.org.au – Australian Mulitple birth Association 1300 886 499
www.prembaby.org.au 1300 773 622
Caesarean, Vaginal Birth after Caesarean and Pre-eclampsia
www.canaustralia.net – Caesarean Awareness Network Australia offers up to date research and resources to help make informed choices about caesarean birth.
birthrites.edsite.com.au Caeserean information and VBAC info. Guide booklet available to download and distribute. Birthrites philosophy: “With knowledge we can make choices that lead to empowerment, and healing through birth”
www.vbac.com – researched information about VBAC
www.aapec.org.au – Australian group providing information and support about pre-eclampsia
Parenting and post natal
www.natural-parenting.com an on-line resource for alternative parenting and information
www.breastfeeding.asn.au – site of Australia’s Breastfeeding Association with lots of good articles
www.baby-carriers-downunder.com – a site reviewing all baby carriers
www.hug-a-bub.com.au – excellent baby carrier with articles on attachment parenting
www.askdrsears.com – Dr. Sears website – American paedetrician who recommends attachment parenting, great pregnancy and birth information
www.attachmentparenting.org – promotes a parenting philosophy nurturing strong emotional family bonds
www.babycentre.com – US site with good articles and information
www.iaim-oz.org newly set up Australian chapter of the International Association of Infant Massage
www.compleatmother.com – creative site dealing with controversial issues – vaccinations, circumcision
www.positiveparenting.com – parenting information
www.naturalparenting.com.au – Brisbance based parenting magazine with many good articles on pregnancy, birth and parenting
www.naomialdort.com – Naomi Aldort is a family counsellor offering a different view on caring and parenting children. Author of ‘Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves’
www.pinky-mychild.com – Health professional and mother of five Pinky Mckay offers a gentle way of parenting and caring for babies and children.
www.ymyw.merivale.org.au – support, education and advocacy for women under 25 who are pregnant and parenting
- provides support, guidance and information to families with children 0-5 years who are experiencing parenting difficulties – feeding, sleeping or behaviour. Care line 1800 677 961
www.avn.org.au – Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) for information on vaccination for infants
www.health.gov.au:80/hfs/pubhlth/cdi/cdi2402/c commonly asked questions about vaccines and answers by the Commonwealth Dept. Health and Aging
www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au – National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Other
www.drugwatch.com – Drugwatch.com is a comprehensive database featuring extensive information about thousands of different medications, including drugs that are unsafe to take during pregnancy. The most recent pregnancy drug alert is from Accutane, it causes birth defects, premature births, and death in babies whose mothers took the drug while they were pregnant. See the Accutane Lawsuit page for additional information.
