The Power of Touch and Tenderness in Midwifery Practice with Fiona Hallinan
An experiential, residential two day workshop for midwives, doulas & women who care for childbearing women.
Together we will take the time to learn how to touch a woman’s body, to gain information about her birthing body and her baby. We will work respectfully with one another in a peaceful, private environment.
We will create an atmosphere of trust, share stories and birth wisdom in appreciation of our shared love of birth, regardless of our background or experience.
Participants will come away from this workshop with:
A sense of confidence in their ability to connect with birthing women physically, gaining practical skills and know how to solve some of the physical challenges of labour including:
helping a baby move down into the pelvis
helping a baby realign into the pelvis
softening the pelvis.
increasing the connectedness, comfort and confidence in the birthing woman
When a birthing woman is feeling, lost, stuck, helpless and in despair, these simple and effective skills are real options for her midwife to bring about great change.
The workshop is held at the Centre for Human Transformation in the beautiful Yarra Valley and includes nourishing vegetarian meals and accommodation. Directions and a list of what to bring will be sent on registration. Workshop starts Thursday 8.30am for a 9.00am finishes Friday 4.00pm. Additional nights accommodation available $50 per night.
Cost: $585 all inclusive
We touch in pregnancy and birth to:
instil confidence
encourage change
inform the mother so she can work co-operatively with her baby
increase our knowledge and mother’s understanding
soothe and comfort
to resolve difficulties
because it feels good!
We will comprehensively explore:
Abdomen
gain information about mother and baby during pregnancy
ways to soften lower abdominal muscles to encourage babies to move into the pelvis and/or to rotate when ‘high head at term’ or ‘posterior baby’
Pelvis
the uniqueness of each woman’s pelvic space and how it relates to birth
practical pelvic manoeuvres that soothe and soften mother and provide space for baby
gain clarity about the subtlety of sacral mobility and it’s significant role at the time of birth
Anus and buttocks
how touch can create feelings of safety
the extraordinary role of the bowel and anus in birth
appreciate the power of the multi-layered buttock muscles in birth
Vagina (talk not touch)
considerations when touching vaginas
attitudes to vaginal examinations
ways women can prepare their vagina’s for birth
vaginal trauma from birth
"I believe when we prepare and take responsibility for significant life journeys we benefit enormously.
Birth is a huge
life journey for all women,
their babies, their partners
and their helpers so…
preparation and understanding is essential!!"
Together we will take the time to learn how to touch a woman’s body, to gain information about her birthing body and her baby. We will work respectfully with one another in a peaceful, private environment. 
