Past Events

BIRTH CHOICES EXPO - FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2009

Robin Grille entertained and enlightened the crowd at October’s vibrant Birth Choices Expo with his perspective on natural birth and parenting, and his personal experience of homebirth.  He highlighted the importance of the birth experience for both parents and baby and how recent research debunks previous views that babies don’t experience pain and that the first 2 years are not important in terms of their development.  For those of us familiar with his books, it was great to hear what he has to say and discuss with him in person.  For those new to his research and writing, it provided a compelling perspective amongst the myriad of other, less gentle views.

Exhibitors included independent midwives, doulas, the RPA and St George Birth Centres, ABA, natural therapy practitioners and complimentary baby products – all promoting a holistic view of birth and those early years.  Plus our new Men At Birth table was a surprising hit!  It was wonderful to be surrounded by such intelligence and passion and to spread the message about Homebirth in these uncertain times.

A huge thank you goes to our Gold & Silver sponsors: The Sydney Pregnancy Centre and The Australian Doula College; and our Bronze sponsors: itti bitti, Birth With Dignity and Your Naturopath.  Plus to our additional generous prize donors: BirthRight, Mamaluna, Australian Association of Yoga in Daily Life, Australian Nappy Network, Conscious Health, Flippity Skip, Weleda, Elizabeth Isaacs.

BIRTH CHOICES EXPO - FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2008

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, women who supported other women during birth or possessed healing abilities were some of the first suspected of witchcraft and burned at the stake.  So it was very appropriate that this year’s Birth Choices Evening was held on Halloween.  Within the vibrant and engaging crowd, one of the 30 stall holders’ little girls was even dressed at a witch after an evening of trick or treating.

The night was a huge success with organisations like the RPA Birth Centre, St George Homebirth Group and the Australian Breastfeeding Association attending.  There were also naturopaths, acupuncturists, doulas, cloth nappy and baby wearing stalls, as well as a lot of Sydney’s independent midwives.

Women with blossoming bellies came with partners, friends and parents.  Couples who were trying to conceive or were parents already and other birth workers were more of the over 200 people who walked in the doors.

The Inner West Steiner group fed everyone with a sausage sizzle, home made vegetable soup and some delicious cakes and there were cold drinks for everyone to reyhdrate after an unseasonably hot day.

At the end of the night we drew the winners of the lucky door prize, generously donated by Susan Ross from BirthRight, and raffles from the Nappy stand, HAS and the ABA.  All guests took home a sample bag stuffed with goodies – thanks for Jen Carleton of Natural Parenting in Sydney for sponsoring the bags.  All in all it was a very successful night, and so wonderful to have a room filled with people who were passionate about birth.