Courtney, Toby and Baby Walter
“Katrina created a positive, open and non-judgmental space for us to discuss all aspects of birth, including our fears!”
My naturopath recommended that I enrol in a Calmbirthcourse to help me prepare for the birth of my first baby. I was drawn to Katrina’s profile on the Calmbirthwebsite given her extensive experience as a calm birth educator and midwife.
My husband and I attended the Calmbirth course with Katrina and cannot recommend her enough for so many reasons.
Katrina is incredibly knowledgeable in so many aspects of birth including the process itself (both physically and biologically) and in tools to help you through birth, both during labour and the weeks prior (which also included release work and spinning babies’ exercises). Katrina’s approach to birth is empowering, encouraging, informative and sensible. Katrina created a positive, open and non-judgmental space for us to discuss all aspects of birth, including our fears! I was able to have frank conversations with Katrina about pain relief and this helped me to form realistic expectations for myself leading into birth.
At the time of completing the course I was approximately 34 weeks pregnant, and my baby was breech. Katrina provided me with exercises to help turn my baby (including borrowing her breech tilt board) and she performed release work on me several times. After completing the exercises for a few weeks, my baby was still breech so I had an external cephalic version (ECV) performed at 37 weeks at the hospital. Katrina performed release work immediately prior to the ECV and provided me with helpful advice beforehand. During the ECV I used the breathwork Katrina taught me and was able to remain calm and focused. To my surprise, during the ECV my baby turned easily on the first attempt. I attribute part of the success of the ECV to Katrina given her advice and release work.
Following a membrane sweep at 40 weeks, I went into labour that night. I laboured at home for several hours and then made my way to the hospital. Once I arrived at the hospital, I was informed I was 4cm dilated. After a few hours labouring and utilising the techniques I learnt from Katrina, I elected for a light epidural and was advised I was 6cm. Over the next few hours, I continued to use Katrina’s techniques (including breath work, visualisation and movement, to the extent possible) and was fully dilated. Following a period of active descent, it was time to push and again I was able to use Katrina’s techniques to help push my healthy (3.820kg) baby boy out without the use of instruments.
Without all of Katrina’s amazing advice and support, I would not have been able to have the amazing birth I had. I cannot strongly recommend Katrina enough! The only thing I would change / have wanted was for the stars to align and for Katrina to have been rostered on at the hospital so she could have been the midwife that supported me on the day.
