Homebirth Australia Conference 2019
Women of the earth, take back your birth!
33rd Homebirth Australia Conference
29-31 March 2019
Rydges Geelong – Geelong, Victoria
The 33rd Homebirth Australia Conference is proudly sponsored by Qiara
Keynote Speakers – Jenny Blyth and Dr Rachel Reed
Jenny Blyth is an independent birth educator, birthworker and bodyworker. She has been working with natural birth for over 35 years, preparing and supporting many women through pregnancy, birth and early parenting at home in SE Queensland, Australia. Studies and training in Bodywork, Ortho-bionomy and Somatic Psychotherapy have been a great influence in Jenny’s practice. She cares deeply about contributing to the evolution of collective birthing wisdom and the awakening of women’s body wisdom in relationship to birth.
For the last 18 years Jenny has presented Birthwork Workshops. These wisdom-in-action workshops explore the many facets of working with birth through growing self-awareness & skills.
Jenny also has a great interest in what happens at the interface between medical and traditional models of birth care. She is project co-ordinator and core team member of Lao Birthwork. Lao Birthwork raises funds and makes annual trips to poor, remote and under resourced districts in Laos to train health workers and midwives in hands-on skills for birth.
Jenny is author of 2 books Birthwork and The Down to Earth Birth Book. She also created the film A World of Birthworkers, and with Alieta Belle co-created 2 films about natural birth called The Big Stretch and The Big Stretch Sequel.
Dr Rachel Reed is a Senior Lecturer and Discipline Leader in Midwifery at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. She has been a registered midwife since 2001 and has practised midwifery in a range of models and settings in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Rachel has published widely in academic journals, magazines and online. Her blog MidwifeThinking has been accessed by over 5 million readers across the globe; and her first book ‘Why Induction Matters’ was published in 2018.
Rachel is also an experienced speaker and has presented at conferences, workshops and forums to a range of audiences nationally and internationally. Rachel’s research focus is on the promotion and support of physiological birth, women’s rights in maternity care, and care provider practice during birth.
Registrations ARE NOW OPEN
The 33rd Homebirth Conference – “Women of the earth, take back your birth” is for midwives, midwifery students, doulas, women, men, doctors and other birth workers interested in homebirth.
We have speakers from the midwifery profession, as well as students, consumers, doulas and birth advocates.
The conference consists of pre-conference workshops during the day and in the evening on Friday the 29th of March, the Conference on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st, and the Conference Dinner on Saturday evening. The pre-conference workshops and the conference dinner are additional extras that subject to their own fees.
Register now via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=447438
Registration Costs
Health Professionals
Standard Registration – before or on 17/3/19 $460
Late Registration payments received on or after 18/3/19 until 28/3/19 $560
Consumer/Student
Consumer/Student Registration payment received before or on 17/3/19 $400
Consumer/Student Late payment received on or after 18/3/19 until 28/3/19 $500
Speaker
Speaker Standard Registration $250
Conference Dinner
Conference Dinner at Rydges Geelong – 7.30-11.30pm on Saturday 30th March – includes a plated three course meal, with drinks available at bar prices – entertainment and dancing – $80
Friday Pre-conference Workshops
Workshop 1: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Sunny side up – posterior births – Claire Eccleston
When a baby is posterior, deflexed or asynclitic the labour may be challenging for women, families and birth workers alike.
This workshop will look at the practical hands on midwifery tools that can support ease of passage by optimising the available space for the baby. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for birthworkers and midwives to share their own hands on tools and tricks. Midwifery practice is like a language at risk of being lost if we don’t speak it, through story telling and information sharing the workshop aims to help keep this language alive. Participants to need to wear clothes for moving around in and be ready to have some fun and enjoy sharing with each other.
$35 for conference delegates ($70 for guests not attending conference) ~ morning tea included
Workshop 2: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Homebirth Activism and Community Building 101 ~ (Coordinator – Homebirth Australia) and Azure Rigley (President – Maternity Choices Australia)
New to Homebirth activism and not sure where to start?
Come along to this workshop for a brief introduction to the homebirth regulatory framework, key players in the Australian maternity system, and a overview of current campaigns.
This workshop will support you to create a homebirth group in your local community, as well as practical activist tips and tricks for making change.
$25 for conference delegates ($50 for guests not attending conference) ~ morning tea included
Workshop 3: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Thriving Babies ~ Katelyn McGregor
Tone? Reflexes? Milestones? Percentiles? Feeding? Sleeping? Pooping?
It’s can be a challenging time for families as they try to tune into their babies needs and support healthy development.
Join us for an afternoon of learning and connection of what to expect from your babies growth and development in the first year. Build confidence in practical ways to support and even enhance wellbeing for your family. This small workshop is a great support to parents and those developing their professional peadiatric skillset.
$35 for conference delegates ($70 for guests not attending conference) ~ afternoon tea included
Workshop 4: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Creating Amazing Space – The Jiggling Revolution ~ Jenny Blyth
Jiggling is a highly effective and recommended way to mobilize the pelvis, release tension, synchronise body systems, prepare for birth, create more space to optimise or change the baby’s position, and calm the nervous system. It’s also a highly enjoyable and an easy-to-teach practice for couples preparing for birth. Become a jiggler extraordinaire!
This workshop is experiential. You will learn and experience Pelvic Jiggling by hand – including the bum, sacrum and legs. So you need to be comfortable receiving and giving touch around your pelvis. Touch considerations and touch awareness will be addressed. Some recently ‘invented’ techniques using the reboso will also be included in the workshop. Please wear loose comfortable clothing for the best effect.
$35 for conference delegates ($70 for guests not attending conference) ~ afternoon tea included
Workshop 7: 5.15pm-6.15pm
The Microbiome & Probiotics in Pregnancy & Lactation ~ Emma Park
This event will educate participants on the role of probiotics in pregnancy and breastfeeding and why evidence matters.
Participants will learn about:
* the microbiome, including the breastmilk microbiome,
* why it is crucial in pregnancy and lactation,
* what causes dysbioisis,
* what makes a probiotic effective and therapeutic, and
* why probiotic strain specificity matters.
Supported by latest research and evidenced by some case studies and lively discussion.
$10 for conference delegates and guests ~ light supper included
Workshop 5: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Student Midwife Circle ~ facilitated by Marie-Louise Lapeyre and Jane Hardwick Collings
We offer the opportunity for Student to be “Midwifed”, deeply listened to and held, this circle is for Midwife knowledge the knowing that belongs to women, the knowing of the unseen, of the language of emotion and the body, the sacredness of life and birth, the unseen as being real and a powerful influence on our lives.
We are going to sit in circle, begin with a ritual of connection and breath, and go on with some ways of setting a safe space, we will be passing the taking bowl with some questions in it, the rest will unfold…
$20 for conference delegates ($40 for guests not attending conference) ~ light supper included
Workshop 6: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Birth Q & A ~ current issues and research in birth ~ Rachel Reed
This sessions offers the opportunity to explore and discuss current issues in birth. The session will include a combination of topics highlighted by Rachel and topics and discussion from the audience.
$35 for conference delegates ($70 for guests not attending conference) ~ light supper included
Limited places are available for the Friday workshop events and the Conference Dinner due to venue capacity. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations before 1st March 2019 will incur a $100 fee.
Cancellations after the 1st March 2019 will incur a $200 fee.
Cancellations for the Conference Dinner after 1 March 2019 will not receive a refund unless we are able to resell to another delegate.
Registration Entitlements
Registrations entitle you to entry to all main conference sessions, entry to trade exhibitions, conference materials and delegate conference satchel, 1 years membership to Homebirth Australia, morning and afternoon tea, lunch and tea and coffee on arrival throughout the 2 day conference.
The Conference dinner and pre-conference workshops incur separate fees.
Venue details
Rydges Geelong is the venue for the conference. It is located on the corner of Gheringhap & Myers Street, Geelong
- 03) 5223 6200
- https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/melbourne-vic/geelong/
Accommodation
There are many accommodation options available in Geelong, ranging from back packers to airBNB options, to 5 star.
The conference venue – Rydges Geelong offers a range of rooms including twin rooms. They are offering special 15% discount rates for delegates of the Homebirth Australia 2019 Conference. Delegates must book via this link to receive the discount.
https://www.rydges.com/private-page/2019-geelong-homebirth-conference
Privacy Statement
Information provided by participants at the time of registration will be used to administer the conference, including catering, sponsorship and exhibition. Your details may also be used to inform you of Homebirth Australia events and services. All data collected will remain the property of Homebirth Australia.
Conference Programme
Pre-conference workshops – Friday 29th March 2019
Please note: Light refreshments will be provided at each workshop
| 9.30am | Registrations open |
| 10.00am – 1.00pm | Sunny side up – posterior births – Claire Eccleston |
| 10.00am – 12.30pm | Homebirth Activism 101 ~ Grace Sweeney and Guests |
| 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Thriving Babies ~ Katelyn McGregor |
| 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Creating Amazing Space – The Jiggling Revolution ~ Jenny Blyth |
| 5.15pm – 6.15pm | The Microbiome & Probiotics in Pregnancy & Lactation ~ Emma Park |
| 6.30pm – 9.00pm | Student Midwife Circle ~ facilitated by Marie-Louise Lapeyre and Jane Hardwick Collings |
| 6.30pm – 9.00pm | Birth Q & A ~ current issues and research in birth ~ Rachel Reed |
Saturday 30th March 2019
~Program subject to change~
| 8.15am | Registrations open- tea and coffee on arrival |
| 9.00am | Conference opening – House keeping |
| 9.05am | Welcome to Country |
| 9.20am | Opening Ceremony – facilitated by Jane Harwicke-Collings |
| 9.30am | Keynote speaker – Rachel Reed The collective culture of women in childbirth This presentation will explore the history of women attending women during childbirth, and compare this with the modern roles of doulas and midwives. How do our current relationships and roles relate to those of the gossips and midwives of the past? What do we want our ‘collective culture of women’ to be in the future? |
| 10.30am | Morning tea |
| 11.00am | Homebirth future by numbers – Sustainability in Midwifery – presented by Tammi Heap |
| 11.30am | Planned private homebirth in Victoria 2000-2015: the findings of a retrospective cohort study of Victorian perinatal data – presented by Miranda Davis-Tuck |
| 12.00pm | Birth in remote rural Camobodia – presented by Denise Love |
| 12.15pm | Gold Sponsors Message |
| 12.30pm | Lunch (incorporating the Homebirth Australia AGM at 12.45pm) |
| 1.30pm | Birth Mandala – presented by Rhea Dempsey |
| 2.00pm | Taking back birth from the gatekeeper GP – what can we do about referral refusal – presented by Aimee Sing |
| 2.20pm | Introducing the Student Homebirth Midwife Collective – presented by Amanda |
| 2.45pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 3.15pm | Keynote speaker – Jenny Blyth |
| 4.00pm | Vaginal Breech Birth in the homebirthing community – presented by Ebony Knight, Laura Beveridge and Michelle Warwick |
| 4.45pm | Breech – panel, and Q & A – various |
| 5.00pm | Day 1 conference close |
| 7.30pm – 11.30pm |
Conference Dinner Dress beautifully for a 3 course plated meal, drinks available at bar prices. Entertainment information will be on the HBA website once confirmed. The conference dinner needs to be prebooked |
Sunday 31st March 2019
~Program subject to change~
| 8.30am | Registrations open – tea and coffee on arrival |
| 9.00am | Keynote speaker – Jenny Blyth |
| 10.00am | The vexatious reporting of private midwives – presented by Jo Hunter |
| 10.30am | Reclaiming our Imprints of Birth ~ An Experiential Audio Visual Process – presented by Nicole Moore |
| 11.ooam | Morning Tea |
| 11.30am | Time of the Elders – presented by Tere Garnons-Williams and friends |
| 12.15pm | Sacred hands sacred work – presented by Claire Eccleston |
| 12.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm | Handing down the knowledge ceremony |
| 2.00pm | Mission Gentle Birth – presented by Jane Harwicke-Collings |
| 2.30pm | Keynote Speaker – Rachel Reed Women of the earth, take back your words! |
| 3.15pm | Poems of pregnancy, birth, and the unfolding of woman – presented by Dr Veronica Moule |
| 3.45pm | Birth Time |
| 4.15pm | Raffle draw and acknowledgements |
| 4.30pm | Closing Ceremony – facilitated by Jane Harwicke-Collings |
| 4.45pm | Conference closes |
Register now via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=447438
The 33rd Homebirth Australia Conference is proudly sponsored by Qiara
