ACTIVE BIRTH AUSTRALIA

Childbirth education, pregnancy fitness & nutrition, postpartum support and weight loss

The birth of your baby is one of the most important events of your life. Are you properly prepared?

Video Transcript

Whether you're trying to become pregnant, currently pregnant, or have had a baby, Active Birth Australia can help you. Hi, I’m Melanie, the owner of Active Birth Australia. My programs and coaching focus on providing you with all the knowledge you need to prepare for labor and birth, eat healthily, stay active during pregnancy, and then recover and get back into shape in the postpartum period after your baby is born.

If you’re wanting to have an active labor and a natural birth, my programs will help you prepare your body and mind for labor and birth. When it comes to labor, think of it as an athletic event... and I'm here to help you train for it! We’re going to prepare your body for a quick, comfortable, easy, and active labor with specific exercises targeting your fitness, strength, mobility, and flexibility so that you’re ready for the marathon of childbirth. You’ll also learn which positions to use during labor to help your baby get into the optimal position for birth and which positions you can use to work with your body to help birth your baby.

But childbirth isn't just about physical preparation; we'll work on your mental game too. I'll teach you how to master your labor pain, breeze through your contractions, and change your mindset to work harmoniously with your body and your baby during labor for a quick, easy, and comfortable labor and birth. Together, we'll build your knowledge and confidence, making sure you are thoroughly prepared for that special day when your baby is born.

If you're trying to conceive, my natural fertility programs will help you prepare your body for conception, whether you're aiming for a natural or assisted conception.

Then, once you’re in the postpartum period after your baby has been born, I'll guide you through how to heal, recover, and get back into shape. We’ll strengthen your core, flatten your tummy, tone up any problem areas, and you’ll easily and quickly shed any excess pregnancy weight.

So, whether you're planning to become pregnant, currently pregnant, or already a mum, Active Birth Australia has a program or coaching available just for you, from conception right through to getting back in better shape than ever before after having your baby.

Are you currently pregnant?

Would you like a more comfortable, quicker, shorter and easier labor?

Would you like to know how to master your labor pain?

Would you like to try for a natural birth?

Active Birth Australia will help you have a healthy pregnancy and thoroughly prepare your body and mind for labor and birth.

Birth Preparation Program

Pregnancy

Health check-ups, tests & screenings

Preparation for labor

Putting together your birth plan

Comfort and coping strategies for labor

Giving birth to your baby

The hormones of labor

Contractions

Your baby's position for birth

The role of your uterus, cervix and pelvis

Natural pain management and birth tools

Medical interventions

The role of your birth companion

Preparing for your baby's arrival

What happens after birth

Recovering after birth

Caring for your baby

Feeding your baby

Find out more

Hypnobirthing Program

Introduction to Hypnobirthing

A history of childbirth

The psychology of birth

The biology of birth

Preparing for labor

Tools for labor

After your baby is born

Hypnobirthing tracks

Find out more

Active Birth Program

The power of movement in labor

Gravity-assisted birth positions

Using a birth ball for comfort and progression

Using a peanut ball for pelvic opening and resting between contractions

Hands and knees for pain relief and rotation

Squatting for a faster second stage

Side-lying for rest and controlled pushing

Leaning forward and using support

Lunging and asymmetrical positions

Using water to stay active and relaxed

Adapting active positions in any birth setting

Master your labor pain

Understanding labor pain

The role of the mind in labor pain

Breathing techniques to reduce labor pain

Active birth positions for pain relief

The power of movement in labor

Natural pain relief techniques

Distraction techniques to shift focus from pain

Managing back labor and intense sensations

When to rest and when to move

Creating a personalised labor pain management plan

Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise

Strength training for labor preparation

Core stability and breath work

Hip mobility and flexibility

Cardio for stamina

Upper body strength for postural support

Safe modifications and listening to your baby

Recovery and relaxation techniques

Core and pelvic floor recovery

Gradual return to strength training

Safe postnatal cardio

Posture and alignment correction

Diastasis recti and abdominal rehab

Hormone and energy considerations

Sustainable fat loss and toning strategies

Balancing exercise with motherhood

Postnatal nutrition and weight loss

Nutrition for healing and recovery

Nutrition to support breastfeeding

Balancing hormones with food

Managing postnatal energy and fatigue

Safe and effective postnatal weight loss

Rebuilding core strength and reducing inflammation

Postnatal meal planning and quick meal ideas

Understanding postpartum cravings and emotional eating

Gut health and postpartum digestion

Postnatal supplementation guidance

Long term nutrition for a strong, toned body

Programs to prepare you for pregnancy and labor

Learn how to have an active labor and what positions to use for a faster, easier and more comfortable birth.

Prepare mentally for labor and learn tools and techniques for relaxation, time distortion, mind distraction, mind quietening, labor progression and pain management.

Prepare your body physically for labor with pre-natal strength training, yoga, Pilates, Barre and mobility classes.

Understand how to navigate the hospital system and make informed decisions for you and your baby.

Learn techniques to prepare your body for labor in the final trimester as well as exercises to get your baby into an optimal position for birth and engaged in your pelvis ready to be born.

A total approach to birth education that covers nutrition, prenatal exercise classes and birth education.

Coaching Videos

“Birth takes a woman’s deepest fears about herself and shows her that she is stronger than them.” – Unknown

What's going wrong with birth today?

Too many unnecessary medical interventions on healthy, low-risk mothers who could have birthed naturally without medical interference.

High c-section rates.

Pressure to birth your baby within hospital timeframes and according to hospital protocols and procedures.

Mum's feeling that they have a lack of choice and involvement in decision making during their labor.

Hospital protocols not allowing your baby and your body to set the pace and if low risk, encouraging an active labor and a natural birth.

The medicalisation of labor and birth even when there is no apparent medical risk or medical urgency.

Women feeling let down by their labor and their baby's birth and the sense that they lost control of the outcome they wanted.

Mums feeling disappointment about their labor and wishing they had done more during pregnancy to be better prepared, more knowledgeable and able to advocate for the labor and birth they wanted.

My programs will help you to take control of your labor and your baby's birth experience by gaining knowledge of birth and preparing yourself physically and mentally for your upcoming labor.

BirthTalk Podcast

Birth & Beyond Podcast

You are wired to birth

4:17

Learn to work with your mind and your body to birth your baby.

The philosophy behind aiming for a natural birth, embracing an active birth approach, and avoiding unnecessary medical interventions stems from recognizing the incredible power and wisdom of the birthing process. It's about acknowledging that our bodies are designed to give birth and trusting in that innate ability.

Choosing a natural birth means honoring the natural flow of childbirth and recognizing that, in most cases, our bodies know what to do. By letting things progress naturally, without unnecessary medical interventions, we allow the natural hormonal and instinctual processes to guide us.

Embracing an active birth approach means staying engaged and moving during labor. It's about finding positions that feel comfortable and working with gravity to make the birthing process more efficient and comfortable. By actively participating in the process, we can work with our bodies and make the experience more manageable.

Preparing for a birth without unnecessary medical interventions involves being well-informed and making decisions that are right for us. It's about understanding the potential risks and benefits of interventions and only choosing them when absolutely necessary. By being informed and involved in our birth choices, we can ensure that our birthing experience aligns with our individual circumstances.

Ultimately, this philosophy views birth as a powerful and transformative event, not just a medical procedure. It encourages us to trust our bodies, embrace our inner strength, and actively participate in our birthing journey. By aiming for a natural birth, embracing an active approach, and minimizing unnecessary medical interventions, we celebrate the beauty and wisdom of childbirth while promoting a positive and empowering experience for both mother and baby.

Fertility & Postnatal

Helping you become pregnant and get back in shape after pregnancy

Natural Fertility Program

Whether you are trying to become pregnant naturally or using IVF, natural fertility will help ensure you have healthy eggs, your partner has healthy sperm, and your body is in peak physical and mental health, ready for conception and a healthy, viable pregnancy. Natural fertility is all about preparing your body for pregnancy or for IVF. It takes a holistic approach to help you become pregnant by helping you to embrace a healthy lifestyle, eat well, stay active, manage stress, and get enough sleep to optimize your fertility and balance your hormones, improving your overall health. By adopting these steps, you can make the journey to parenthood quicker and easier.

Charting Your Fertility Program

Natural fertility methods emphasize the importance of understanding your body's natural rhythms. By closely observing your menstrual cycle, tracking changes in cervical mucus, and noting fluctuations in basal body temperature, you gain valuable insights into your fertility. This method goes beyond mere physical tracking; it's about truly connecting with your body. By recognizing the subtle cues, it helps you identify your most fertile days and time intimacy accordingly, enhancing your chances of conception.

Postpartum Fat Loss & Body Transformation

My postnatal weight loss program is designed exclusively for mums, whether you're a new mum or you've been postnatal for a while. Say goodbye to excess body fat and embrace a healthier, more confident you. This program combines expert nutrition guidance and personalized training sessions, tailored to fit your schedule whether you prefer working out at home, or in the gym. I understand the challenges of postpartum weight loss, especially the stubborn 'mum tum,' and my comprehensive approach ensures fast fat loss, cellulite reduction, and targeted toning of problem areas.

“A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.” – Mary Mason

Private Coaching

If you would like additional support online or consultations, then 1:1 coaching is available either as a single consultation or as a package of consultations. In person coaching involves me visiting your home for pre-natal and post-natal consultations, personal training or nutrition consultations.

Consultations are available if you live in Newcastle, NSW.

Online or phone consultations are available Australia wide.