Run Waterbirth Workshops

These easy-to-run workshops are a great supplement to existing Antenatal Courses and increase the use of water for labour in your community. They can be run by Antenatal Teachers, Midwives, Doulas, Birth Companions, or Yoga Teachers.

How to get started

• Attend a Waterbirth Study Day, such as Lynn Mayo's "Waterbirth Unplugged" through NCT, or Dianne Garland's Midwifery study days - Dianne's schedule is available online at www.midwifeexpert.com.
• Design a course. It can be 2-3 hours and include basic physiology, positions, movement, relaxation. Then add the dimension of water. Have a pool available for couples to practice positions, entering/exiting; include the practicalities of waterbirth at home as well as in hospital. Photos of waterbirths are useful to have on hand to show, as well.
• Obtain a pool for teaching from The Good Birth Company. A durable Professional pool (suitable for teaching and multiple use) and electric inflate pump can be purchased at the discounted price of £65 plus £9.95 P&P when you agree to only use it for teaching purposes. Sign up at www.thegoodbirth.co.uk/antenatal-education
• Waterbirth facts/statistics are useful. Use the "NCT Using Water for Labour and Birth" handout as a starting point.
• Organise your marketing - see below.
  
  

Marketing the course is easy!

• Schedule one every 1-2 months at a neutral venue.
• If you are an NCT Teacher, you can register it as an Alternative Format course and use your PSA to market to existing clients as an additional course. NCT rates would apply.
• Put up posters in your local antenatal clinics. Download a template you can tailor and use here (Word format 774Kb).
• Speak to community midwives about it and give them flyers.
• If your hospital has a birthing pool, let them know you are running Waterbirth Workshops to btain their endorsement, as it increases use of their pool.
• Let your local Homebirth Support Groups know about your courses.
• Get your class info on www.thegoodbirth.co.uk/waterbirth-antenatal-classes (free) for online searching - complete the form at www.thegoodbirth.co.uk/antenatal-education.

It's good also to speak to peers who run these for their ideas and feedback!