Calmbirth refresher program soon to launch at The Royal

The Royal Hospital for Women is a hospital of many firsts and this year is no exception with dedicated staff preparing to launch a Calmbirth ‘refresher’ program for expectant couples.

Offered at The Royal since 2011, Calmbirth is a widely known and trusted childbirth education program. The model proved so successful it has been expanded into a one day refresher course.

The program is designed for expectant couples who have previously attended the original Calmbirth program and want to refresh their knowledge, skills and confidence for future pregnancies.

Dr Jane Svensson, Clinical Midwifery Consultant, said The Royal is the only hospital in the world offering this unique refresher course.

“Every birth is different, even for the same mother, and preparing for your next is just as important as preparing for your first,” Dr Svensson said.

“The refresher is designed to give couples the opportunity to revisit the wonderful skills they learned in the original Calmbirth program so they are fresh in their mind for their pregnancy and upcoming birth.”

The program is not just available for Royal families – it is open to couples booked in to have a baby at any hospital. The ideal time to attend is between 24 and 34 weeks gestation, according to Dr Svensson.

“It is a special day as couples spend time out of their busy lives to reconnect with their pregnancy and developing foetus. In addition, with the program taking just 11 couples, it allows parents to form their own support network with one another,” Dr Svensson said.

“As the only women’s hospital in the state, The Royal is renowned for being a leader in the field of women’s health and health education. We look forward to helping couples navigate their pregnancy and childbirth experience through this exciting new program.”

The first Calmbirth refresher program will take place on Friday, 12 February.  

Midwife, mother and newborn baby