Birth I was hoping for

The midwife commented that she was surprised it was my first child as I looked like I had given birth before! I attributed this to the skills I learnt in your classes.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan14 October 2021Natural Birth, Workshop, Yoga, Active Birth Skills

Rewarding natural birth

My biggest driver for having a natural birth was to improve my chances of breast feeding and I’m pleased to say our little Oscar is thriving, putting on a kilogram in his first month of life with exclusive breastfeeding. It was such a challenging time but you helped us be as prepared as possible. We can’t thank you enough!

Yoga for Pregnancy

"Attending pregnancy yoga classes helps women come together to explore and celebrate the joys and challenges of this precious time in their lives, in a safe and comfortable environment," says yogababy teacher, Suzanne Swan. "Women find a lot of comfort in each other’s encouragement and many friendships are formed at class".

PregnancySuzanne Swan14 October 2021Yoga

Over the moon

I found the breathing and vocalisation really good when I was in transition, and the positive empowered thinking, to remind myself I could do it when it was all getting intense around the pushing, really helped me get in a good head space. Thank you for everything Suzanne, and for all your support and confidence in me.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Suzanne Swan, Natural Birth, Active Birth Skills

A bag full of tricks

I can honestly say that the workshop allowed Mike and I to make informed, evidence-based decisions about the birth. We felt confident to voice our concerns and decisions to the medical professionals which was such a gift.

Active BirthSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Suzanne Swan, Partners at Birth, Active Birth Skills

Breathing, massage and rocking

We certainly used the breathing, massage and rocking techniques during labour. I was able to rely so much on Jake and his practice and confidence learned from classes are the reason.

Birth Stories, Active BirthSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Partners at Birth, Yoga, Active Birth Skills

Calm and drug free

I would like to thank you for all of the advice and knowledge on active birth , your classes and workshop were so helpful to me during preparation for labour and during labour and birth.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Workshop, Active Birth Skills

Unplanned but transcendent

You're active birth workshop was so useful and my husband was looking at the workbook as I was labouring as a reminder and was very much comforted by his ability to support me.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan13 October 2021C-Section, Partners at Birth, Waterbirth, Active Birth Skills

Calm natural labour

I really think coming to Suzanne's Active Birth Private Session had a big influence on me (and my husband). I wasn't sure if I would have the composure to use all that I had learnt during the birth itself. However, a strange calm came over me during labour.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Natural Birth, Private Session, Active Birth Skills

I was 8cm dilated!

Thank you for giving me the confidence to navigate that journey. I was terrified and clueless about birth before doing the Active Birth Classes. I went into the experience however feeling empowered and knowledgeable and I believe that is what allowed me to labour for so long at home.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan13 October 2021Natural Birth, Workshop, Active Birth Skills

An incredible birth!

I still can't believe I was able to have the birth I wanted and an absolutely incredible experience. I am so grateful to you for your knowledge and experience. I remembered our lessons from our Private Couple Sessions on the day and had an incredible birthing experience with no trauma, something I didn't think was possible. I can't thank you enough for what you have enabled me to do.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan8 September 2021Birth Centre, Induction, Active Birth Skills

The doula advantage

“I knew she was there and she just melted into the action, whispering in my ear, reminding me at every turn how strong I was and simply that I could do it.” A new mother speaking of her doula. Women helping women give birth is an ancient practice that is still widespread today.

Suzanne Swan21 May 2021Birth Centre, Natural Birth, Private Hospital, Public Hospital

I'm stronger after birth

Your workshop filled us with knowledge and confidence, and with our very supportive midwife we felt empowered to make decisions along the way. We both feel like we gave it all our best shot and did what we needed to when it was needed. A really positive experience over all. Despite, and I think even because of, the intensity of the contractions due to the Synto, I feel powerful, like I could do just about anything now! So thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with the world!

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan6 May 2021Induction, Active Birth Skills

A Yoga Teacher's pregnancy yoga guide

So you’ve covered pregnancy in your teacher training course, or maybe you’ve even been pregnant before, but can you remember what to say in the 5 minutes you have with her before class begins?

This is especially important if your pregnant student is under 14 weeks or over 36 weeks. Here's a refresher on some key points to remember:

Teacher TrainingSuzanne Swan27 February 2021Yoga

Learn active birth online

I was in labour for about 20 intense hours and I strongly believe, that the skills learned in the Online Active Birth Skills course. enabled me to have a natural birth that was a thoroughly positive experience. The exercises, classes and information provided made me feel like I could approach my delivery with confidence and calm. I’m sure this attitude and preparation was so incredibly important for my positive birth experience. The course also really helped me understand what was happening to my body and my baby at all times during the process.

Active Birth, Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan22 February 2021Online Learning, Active Birth Skills

I love this tiny human!

Nothing I read or anything anyone told me could have prepared me for birth, it was short but intense. Thanks again for all the yoga classes and breathing. Like so many people said you’ll do all this preparation but it just depends on the day! Georgina is doing really well and we’re over the moon. I didn’t think it was possible to love a tiny human as much.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan8 December 2020Doula, Natural Birth, Public Hospital

My amazing birth

Things moved really quickly after the induction at 7pm and by 10pm my contractions had well and truly started. Our beautiful son, Frederick (Freddie) arrived at 2:50am without the need for my waters to be broken or an Oxytocin injection and by the time I thought the pain might be too much it was too late for an epidural. Everything happened quickly but naturally (other than the induction to kick things off). I'm so grateful and wouldn't have wanted it to go any other way.

Birth Stories, Active BirthSuzanne Swan18 November 2020Induction, Public Hospital

Only one class

That one class I did helped so much! I used my horse lips to get me thru to deliver naturally with no intervention or drugs.

Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan30 October 2020Natural Birth

Lean on your supporters

I remembered something Suzanne said in active birth yoga class ‘lean on your supports’ and I think this big group of supporters was exactly what I needed for this birth.

I feel like this confidence definitely came from my yoga classes and listening to Suzanne’s yoga meditations during pregnancy. My midwife and the midwifery student stayed after their shift finished to be there for the birth of my baby Julie, so she arrived in a room full of people smiling and excited to see her (like her own personal cheer squad!)

Active Birth, Birth StoriesSuzanne Swan27 July 2020Induction

I roared & it felt wonderful

My husband was right there with me squeezing my lower back and shimmying my back with a scarf. After a few intense and long contractions, I felt the need to push and I was up on all fours before I knew it. Delivery was super quick and my waters broke dramatically on his way out. I may have roared a few times but it felt wonderful.