My daughter, Austen, was born on her due date of 27 March this year after an almost 20-hour labour and forcep delivery in the end. I attended your classes 2-3 times a week from 16-38 weeks pregnant and I can honestly say that the techniques I learned there were invaluable in helping me get through what I’m told was quite a difficult labour.

During the wait, the baby was moving positions (posterior to anterior right) almost daily.  I used the active birth positions to encourage the baby to turn. When I checked into hospital for the induction, the baby was on the left anterior side and I was 5 cm dilated (without any surges).

I went into early labour on a Monday evening, after a wonderful day of relaxing and enjoying some quiet alone time. The first emotion I felt was actually a bit of sadness about the end of pregnancy. I took a few moments to wish my baby well on her journey.

Overall I would describe my labour as “very slow but steady”. It turns out that baby Zoe didn’t fully engage/descend until right at the end, so I feel like I laboured without the usual pressure on the cervix. This meant for me the first stage of labour was about 16 hours and the active stage was almost 9 hours.

Labour started on the evening of Easter Sunday at 40 weeks + 5 days.  We had the last 'event' planned, although I (in my mind) had been making plans incase bub came in the last week of the school term (Easter hat parades, etc).  Family members were heading home as I was starting to get contractions - uncomfortable but manageable.  They were happening about every half an hour for about 30 seconds.  So we headed to bed early to rest before the big event.  I felt excited yet nervous.

After attending Yogababy pregnancy and active birth classes before the birth of my first son Frederick, I was certain I wanted to do the same with my second. Having had an induction for medical reasons with Frederick, I was a little more realistic going into my second birth about how even the best preparation can send you on a different path through labour to motherhood and meeting your baby.

I couldn’t attend any other antenatal classes, so I relied on the information I received in your classes, from my midwife and from the book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. I researched enough to have an "ideal birth intention" written down in bullet points on a page (not a "plan" as nothing ever goes to plan!).

just wanted to let you know I had my baby girl on the 12th of April!

I've been coming to pregnancy yoga with Lauren on Tuesdays since I was 12 weeks and I almost completed two rounds of active birth with Lauren. My partner and I came for a private session with Suzanne as well.

Contrary to my history (two babies both under 2 hour labours) this time I got to experience a 5 hour labour,  hence I am very grateful for all your teachings! 

Introducing our son Wyatt who joined the world on 24/01/2018 (4 days before his due date) at 4.27pm weighing in at 7lbs 2oz.

It was a marathon effort to bring him into the world! Our naughty wee monkey had been happily hanging out head down....

Our precious baby boy Theo was born on 11 January. He is our third baby and it was quite a calm and peaceful birth. I’m so pleased I did the Active Birth classes again this time around. 

I felt calm about it all and was able to resolve any feelings of disappointment before hand.  I think your classes were invaluable.  Any learning/knowledge about the body and pregnancy prior to birth is so helpful.