Irish Positive Birth Conference

Childbirth can be an incredible experience. It often doesn’t fit with the “clean up on aisle 3” drama that is portrayed on television and it’s really important that we focus on the word drama.  Even shows like One Born Every Minute, which are the birth experiences of real families, are subject to editing and story selection.  Drama increases ratings.  But it’s not always accurate and certainly when it comes to birth, I for one can hold my hand up and say that’s it possible to have a good birth.  I have had three, one more empowering than the next.  But I also know too many women who have been traumatised by the process and left unsupported in that trauma.  

Ina May Gaskin 

Recently I was fortunate enough to be in a room with some of the most amazing women, who have helped shape not only my views on birth, but on parenting and life in general.  The very tranquil Dun Laoighre set the scene for the first Irish Positive Birth Conference.  Ina May Gaskin was the keynote speaker.  Often described as the “mother of authentic midwifery”, Ina May is the founder of the Farm Midwifery Centre and the author of several influential books on birth and breastfeeding.  She has lectured all over the world and is the only midwife to have on obstetric manoeuvre named after her.  Her calm, no nonsense, whitty manner are endearing and there is a revered silence when she talks about removing fear from childbirth, about honouring the woman’s intuition, about mother’s smiling as they ease their babies into the world.

The conference was chaired by Mum, broadcaster, and mental health campaigner, Dil Wickremasinghe, who stressed the importance of sharing our positive birth stories.  Dil shared her own experiences of home birth, postnatal depression, breastfeeding and injected lots of humour throughout the day. 

Midwife, founder of the GentleBirth programme and conference organiser, Tracy Donegan, made the trip from California, where she is now based. Tracy discussed the importance of knowing your options, researching your hospital and care providers to find the best possible care for you and your family.  Next week’s column will focus on Tracy’s top tips for a positive birth. 

Scottish midwife Cass McNamara spoke about the importance of being in an upright position for birth, something we focus on in our Pregnancy Pilates classes.  Upright birth positions increase space in the pelvis, reduce the time spent in both the first and second stages of labour, reduce the need for medically assisted labour, cause less distress to baby and reduce the need for pain relief and the necessity of an emergency caesarean. 

We also heard from Paula Barry, who is doing amazing work around water birth at the Coombe. Baby wearing consultant Maeve Lyons discussed how slings can contribute to a positive postpartum period.  Dr. Chris Fitzpatrick shared his point of view as an obstetrician, highlighting a fear of litigation and budget constraints as two key concerns for medical professionals.

A really varied and uplifting day, we even had some dancing for birth, with one of my favourite quotes as the take home message: “She believed she could, so she did”. Next year, world renowned obstetrician Michel Odent will address the conference.  The date is to be confirmed but I’m booking the whole month of October off to ensure I don’t miss him!!