An accessible 8 module self-paced professional development program. Supporting Midwives and Doulas to confidently navigate safe, sovereign homebirth.
Why join this Home Sweet Homebirth 8 module program
People have given birth at home for thousands of years. As care providers we need to be confident in providing appropriate clinical care while also being able to navigate our own fear and provide care that is reverent and deeply respectful of the birth giver and the birth process.
The benefits of well supported home birth include, higher vaginal birth rates, less need for pharmaceutical pain relief, reduced perineal trauma, healthy microbiome, easier breastfeeding and bonding, lower rates of birth trauma and reduced post-natal health challenges for both birth givers and babies.
Many Midwives and Doulas now report not feeling prepared to confidently support homebirth and conventional training provides limited pathways to do so. As a result, precious ancestral knowledge and birth skills are being steadily lost while birth trauma for the birth giver and for the care provider is on the rise.
Our world needs Midwives and Doulas who are confident, connected and empowered in the ancient arts of home birth. This course is designed to support Midwives and Doulas to provide care that is evidence based, and not only clinically safe but also honours the safety of sovereignty of the birth giver and respects the rhythms of labour and birth.
* This program is also approved by the New Zealand Midwifery Council and Australian College of Midwives for 8 hours of additional elective education.
About Your Educator, Claire Eccleston
With over 20 years experience, Claire Eccleston is one of Aotearoa’s leading midwifery educators. She is a Spinning Babies ® Approved Trainer and member of the New Zealand College of Midwives and works within the New Zealand College of Midwives and New Zealand Midwifery Council standards and guidelines.
Claire’s wish is for birthing women, babies and whanau/family and care providers to come through their experience with sovereignty intact. She facilitates this through compassionate care, clear communication and supporting others to own their knowledge and power. Claire is very experienced at navigating the possible complexities of birth in a home setting, particularly in regards to the simple hands on skills that can support physiological birth.
Claire is also a practicing Biodynamic craniosacral therapist and internal pelvic work practitioner with the STREAM philosophy. Her in-depth knowledge of pelvic anatomy and passion for women's pelvic wellbeing informs her practice. Claire also presents and teaches internationally.
8 hours approved elective education
New Zealand Midwifery Council
Australian College of midwives continuing professional development endorsed.
A library of resources
Current research and resources to use and share with parents.
Connection with birth workers around the world
Depending on course intake, there may be group Zoom calls to connect with birth workers globally.
What’s Covered?
Module 1 - Haere Mai and welcome
- Learning objectives and course outline.
Module 2 - Dropping into the rhythm.
- History and development of homebirth practices
Module 3 - Finding the beat of physiology
- Science of supporting physiological birth
Module 4 - Moving with care
- Evaluating home birth and assessing risks
- Discerning use of intervention
- Considerations for water births
Module 5 - Being in the groove
- Trauma informed care for all people
- Shared decision making and models of consent
- Practicalities for home birth
Module 6 - When the music changes
- Reviewing emergency skills at home
- Case studies and birth stories
Module 7 - Dancing between the worlds
- Transfer from home to hospital
Module 8 - Resting in stillness
- Practitioner self reflection and self care
- A library of resources for parents and care providers
- Connect with a community of global birth workers
- Playlists to listen to and inspire.
How does it work?
This course is delivered online through a series of video lectures, readings and homework all to do at your own pace.
Learning Outcomes
- Summarise current global research on homebirth and maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.
- Demonstrate the tenants of physiological birth and understands the relationship between place of birth and care provider of physiological birth outcomes.
- Evaluate physiological birth time frames and the effect of physiological birth and birthplace on the microbiome.
- Demonstrate knowledge about the equipment, practicalities and considerations when dealing with childbirth complexities.
- Identify situations that necessitate a transfer from home to hospital.
- Compile efficient strategies and plans for managing transfers from home to hospital.
- Create plans of communication and networking within one's community of health care professionals.
- Evaluate when a homebirth environment may not be appropriate for birth.
- Formulate communication and behaviour tools and strategies that support the intact sovereignty of the birth giver and family and the provision of respectful care.
- Practice skills and strategies in navigating informed choice and decision making.
- Develop skills in discerning ‘abnormalizing the normal’ or normalizing the abnormal.
- Facilitate strategies of sustainability, self care, communication, boundaries and rest.
What others are saying
Immense gratitude for the links to studies and research provided in this space, as I feel this is something I have been lacking in my exploration of home-birth. I also was deeply moved by, "how do we birth when the boy keeps crying wolf". I love the balance Claire bringa, of grounded facts and experience, with heartfelt intuitive expression. – Ella