Active Birth2022-05-24T16:07:19+10:00

Active Birth

Active BirthFounded by Janet Blaskas, Active Birth is a philosophy of working with the natural process of labour and birth. This type of birth is instinctive, following the spontaneous process of labour and birth using your own resources. It supports women to do what feels right for them.

As the term suggests, women are encouraged to be active, not passive during their labours. This approach promotes walking around, remaining upright (where possible), choosing positions for labour and birth freely, and finding ways to relax in upright positions. Many types of childbirth education classes incorporate part or all of this philosophy into their programs.

For further information visit the Active Birth Website

Active Birth Articles

Rebozo Sifting Demonstration

Using rebozo sifting may help a baby rotate during pregnancy or labour more efficiently. Assisting the expectant or birthing mother’s hips to move in controlled motions may encourage the baby to shift positions. Women describe movements created by rebozo sifting as jiggling or rocking. Limited research exists at the moment about the effectiveness of the rebozo in helping pregnant or birthing women. For your information, the rebozo is a Mexican Shawl used widely to help women progress in labour. Traditionally the

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Rebozo Use for Labour: The Hip Squeeze

Aimée and Jill demonstrate using rebozo for labour: The hip squeeze. The rebozo is great for relieving lower back pain or hip pain in pregnancy and in labour. The rebozo can also help with the progression of labour by realigning the pelvis in a way that helps the baby move lower. A technique is also demonstrated on how to secure the rebozo in the hip squeeze position so that your hands are free for massage, hand holding, or whatever the

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Stand and deliver! Everything you need to know about birth positions

When it comes to childbirth and birth positions most midwives will tell you it’s not something you can do lying down. Yet, this is exactly how many women still give birth in Australia. “Walking during labour was the only way I could deal with the pain. I walked the pain away. It felt great to be able to do this for myself. I felt in control. In my head I actually kept thinking, I’m walking away from the pain

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Active birth Slow dancing

Active birth slow dancing is a way to work with birth physiology. Indeed, in labour a woman is encouraged to move and change her position freely. Using upright positions harnesses gravity to help with the progress of labour. Movement also helps with baby's position and a woman's comfort in labour. This video clip by Penny Simkin demonstrates slow dancing as an active birth technique. Couples can use "slow dancing" during labour to help labour progress, decrease discomfort and assist

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Active birth with your birthing partner

Active birth with your birthing partner - get your partner into it! Hot tips for an active birth with your birthing partner Top Tip One – Try the all fours position during the early stages of labour. The all fours position, during the early stages of labour, can really help to alleviate contraction discomfort. This pose can be done on the floor or the bed. It helps to encourage the baby into the anterior position so its spine swings

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Birthing Ball

Exercising while pregnant has been shown to have a broad range of benefits, including avoiding pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and diabetes. Exercise will also help you stay fit, keep your weight gain under control and can shorten labour. Similarly remaining active and upright during labour has been shown to shorten labour, increase pelvic diameter, produce more effective contractions, and result in fewer interventions such as forceps or vacuum births and episiotomies. What is a Birthing Ball? Probably the first

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