Calmbirth Educator Cherie Chugg

28/09/2025

I love these messages 💚 congratulations and thank you Kelsey for sharing. Calmbirth prepares you for all birth journeys, your birth your story.

Hey Cherie 👋 we wanted to let you know that we welcomed little Archer Thomas Roberston on the 17th 🥰 turned out we needed a c section so the birth looked a bit different from what we prepared for but we're so happy. He's absolute perfection. Thank you again for having us in your class, the education eased my anxiety and did help us on the day - I used the breathing big time! X

25/09/2025

An amazing workshop is set for November 8th, at the beautiful Evenfall Winery.

Are you pregnant?
Are you preparing to conceive soon or in the future?
Are you currently in the tick of the postpartum period?

If you answered yes to any of those then this is for you.

Hala (from Mama Ummi) and I would love to see you there.

Details and tickets below.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1473330

22/09/2025

There’s lots happening over the next few months!

My October Calmbirth class is already sold out (they always fill quickly!), but there’s still space in the upcoming ones. If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time to book before spots go. (Refresher class in October does have availability).

Morning Teas are just for my Calmbirth couples, and the End of Year Celebration is for all of my 2025 Calmbirth family. We’ll be having a picnic outside, so there’s plenty of space for those babies who are now busy toddlers to come along too.

I’m also really excited to be hosting a workshop with Hala from Mama Ummi — details coming soon, and this one is open to everyone!

I’m already taking bookings for 2026 too. Register via my website www.doulacheriechugg.com/join

12/09/2025

The Birth of my first child, 30 years ago - September 11, 1995

Late in 1994, I discovered I was pregnant with our first child. I was only 20, and while we had hoped to start a family, it happened sooner than I had imagined. Excitement was there but I also felt a little overwhelmed.

I didn’t have much family or friends with babies, so I wasn’t sure what my options were for birth. A family friend, Anna, who was a midwife, offered to support me throughout my pregnancy. She explained I could have my appointments at home with her and even birth either there or at the Launceston Birth Centre. It sounded perfect - and it was free! This became my only plan: to trust in this care. Most of my visits were with Anna and my second midwife, Jennifer, with a few check-ins with my GP. I loved the idea of birthing in a home like environment, that was just next to the hospital if I needed it.

Pregnancy came with its ups and downs. I had a lot of morning sickness, and I remember some mornings at the hair salon having to rush to the bathroom between clients. By around 16 weeks, though, I started to feel better and enjoyed the experience more fully.

It was Sunday night, September 10th, 1995. We had just had family and friends over to celebrate my husband’s birthday (his birthday is September 11). I was 40 weeks and 12 days, tired of waiting, and decided to try a castor oil mix to bring on labour, an experiment I wouldn’t recommend! A few hours after I was rushing to the toilet, by 11 pm contractions had started.

At some point between 11pm Sunday and 4:45am Monday we made our way to the Launceston Birth Centre. I remember thinking it was the longest and worst trip of my life - having to sit still in the car during contractions was far from comfortable. It was only a 10 minute drive! Anna met us there and by 5am Jennifer my second midwife arrived. I was experiencing a lot of back pain but coping well with massage. I remember loving really firm lower back massage for every contraction – it couldn’t be hard enough!

The labour progressed steadily. At 5:45am I was 7 cm dilated with bulging membranes. I do remember thinking this was the worst feeling, have a vaginal examination, but my midwife asked me would you like one, we don’t have to do it but if you like we can see what is going on (she mentioned recently she was surprized she did offer this because it wasn’t something she offered often). By 6:30am I was in transition, and the contractions intensified. Sitting under the shower, hot packs on my back and front, I focused on breathing and coping with the sensations. At 7:50am my membranes ruptured with clear fluid — the pressure was intense, almost like Zac’s head was ready to emerge. I now know this pressure was helping prepare my perineum for birth.

By 8:30am I was sitting on the toilet, gently breathing through each contraction, (I love that it was noted that I was breathing gently through each contraction at this point, if only I could remember feeling so in control) feeling the urge to push. By 8:45am I was sitting on a birthing stool and Zac’s head was visible. At 9:00am our son Zachary Alex was born, weighing 4,170 g (9 lb 3 oz), measuring 58 cm, with a head of 37 cm. The placenta followed at 9:10am with complete membranes and an Apgar score of 10/10.

I did have some blood loss, around 600ml, and required 1ml of syntometrine. I also needed a few stitches from a small perineal tear. Despite these interventions, I remember feeling incredibly relieved, oh my goodness so relieved! And grateful!

I remember feeling exhausted afterward. We stayed a night at the birth centre, and at home, even walking up the stairs to our bedroom felt challenging. Looking back, I realize how straightforward my first birth was. At the time, it didn’t feel easy, but in hindsight, it was a relatively smooth, approximately a ten hour labour. That’s just amazing for a first birth!

I am so grateful for the continuity of care, the time my midwives spent educating and supporting me, and the preparation that came from books like Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, Birth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read, and The New Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger. I am also thankful for the birth notes my midwives gave me (Anna Holloway, and second midwife Jennifer Smyth) and our recent catch-up to go over them, which helped me remember so many details more clearly. Sadly, I have no photos or notes of my own, which is why I encourage all mums to write their birth story as soon as possible before the memories begin to fade.

I feel so humbled, thankful, and in awe of the strength of the human body, and it remains a memory I will always cherish, and I memory I wish I had more of!

Cherie

02/09/2025

Review just in 💚

Cherie is a wonderful teacher who creates a warm, calm, and cosy space. We really enjoyed the classes as we prepared for the arrival of our first baby.

The Calm Birth course helped us feel empowered with a better understanding of the natural birthing process, including how the body and hormones work during labour.

We also feel confident with practical tools and techniques to manage pain, and we now have a clear idea of the medical options available if needed.

Overall, we feel well-prepared and connected as a team for both the birth and the journey into parenthood.

Thanks Pippa & Jason, I can't wait to hear the news of your babies arrival.

28/08/2025

Welcome Sukina

"Joining Cherie’s classes also meant being adopted as “one of her Calmbirth couples” - welcomed into her woven network of support that she nurtures with loving attention for the best interest of all. We are very grateful."

I still remember, many years ago, talking for the first time with a woman who had birthed at home. She stood in her lounge room, legs apart and knees bent, showing how her baby had come out. “Gravity” she praised. That interaction widened my view of birth. Later, I met more women who had birthed at home, some without medical assistance, and it came to feel like the most natural, normal and ideal way to bring a baby into this world. I kept educating myself through podcasts, videos and books, so when I became pregnant my preparation flowed naturally from what I had already gathered.

My partner was supportive of my choice, but also felt a weight of responsibility as the only other person present, juggling logistics, providing emotional support, and trusting his own intuition.

Halfway through pregnancy, a homebirthing friend told me about Calmbirth and spoke so highly of it. She said it had helped her partner gain confidence and step fully into the preparation for their baby’s birth. I was a little reluctant at first, finding there were already so many resources available about birth, but her strong recommendation along with my wish to be fully aligned with my partner made us book the class. We attended 4 evening sessions at Cherie’s place. That dedicated time as an expecting couple in a cosy, caring environment was exciting and grounding. It gave us a sense of safety to know that we were receiving a complete package of the most helpful and essential information about birth.

Two months later, I laboured through the night to give birth to our baby girl by dawn. I felt calm and focused, totally in my body. Most of the time I could ride the waves rather than be crushed by them. I’m glad Cherie reiterated the benefits of a birthing ball because leaning over it was the only comfortable position for me ! Also, she explained the physiological processes graphically with props which was super helpful. Thanks to that, I was able to connect the sensations of each contraction to their purpose, which in turn allowed me to relax into them more deeply.

Joining Cherie’s classes also meant being adopted as “one of her Calmbirth couples” - welcomed into her woven network of support that she nurtures with loving attention for the best interest of all. We are very grateful.

Alizee & Kael

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful Calmbirth story.

24/08/2025

Love these messages, and I love a positive induction story too, there is no failure in birth just different birth journeys.

"Our little man Parker James Pannan was born on the 11th of August, a very healthy happy boy. We are all doing well. I ended up being induced but thanks to the knowledge and tools you gave us, we made the birth a great experience that I feel proud of. Jackson felt confident with how to help me through what was a very intense labour with no pain relief and I strongly believe the calm birth class gave him that confidence. Thankyou ✨"

Congratulations Sarah & Jackson 💚

07/08/2025

Testimony just in!!
It’s been such a joy getting to know Paris over the past few months through my Calmbirth morning teas and pregnancy support groups. More recently, Paris and her husband Ben attended a private Calmbirth class with me, and I’ve really had the pleasure of getting to know them both.

I can’t wait to hear the news of the safe arrival of their baby.

Thank you, Paris, for being such a special part of my Calmbirth community — and thank you for your kind words:

"I highly recommend Cherie for Calmbirth classes! Her warmth and extensive knowledge made our experience truly exceptional. Cherie created a welcoming environment where we felt comfortable asking any question, no matter how small, and her ability to explain complex topics made learning effortless.

She empowered us to feel confident and joyful about our birth choices and plans. Cherie’s passion and expertise are unmatched, and we’re so grateful for her guidance!

I loved the warm and safe environment Cherie made so that we felt comfortable to ask any questions even the ones we thought might be silly."

25/07/2025

Just in: A beautiful birth story. Thank you, Laura, for sharing such a special moment. It was a true privilege to be part of your babies' birth journeys.

Carlo Hank: Birth Story

"I’m so grateful for the skills and knowledge from Calmbirth. Cherie helped us to understand just how incredible the birthing process is and how to induce all the natural hormones and oxytocin. Cherie also helped us come to know the kind of birth we would love to have and how to advocate for what we would like."

I woke up Friday morning, 40 weeks and 6 days gestation and felt a little different but very much at peace. I spent some time praying and took a little video of my pregnant belly. As the morning progressed I noticed some mild discomfort and called my husband Simon to let him know. I got busy cleaning the house like a “crazy lady” and started feeling glimpses of excitement at the thought of possibly meeting our baby soon.

The discomfort intensified a little as the day went on and Simon came home in the afternoon. We then walked to his parents to ask about a middle name if we were having a boy (quite literally left this to the last minute). We ended up staying for dinner and this is when the contractions started ramping up. I used Calmbirth breathing and put on my best poker face. I later moved to cleaning up the dishes so eyes weren’t on me and I had something productive to do.

I then sat by the fire while Simon massaged my shoulders and did some pressure points. I thought his parents had cottoned on by this stage but they later said they had no idea I was in labor. We then walked home and things intensified more on the walk with me needing to stop a couple of times. When we arrived home I put on the tens machine and told Simon to get some sleep while he had the chance.

I laid in bed wide awake just focusing on the tens machine and soon started timing the contractions. I knew when it was time when I needed some support so I woke Simon and he started helping me through the contractions. We called the hospital just before midnight to update them and they said I could come in if I wanted. I decided I wasn’t ready to go in yet so we continued labouring at home.

I moved between the shower, walking around the house and on all fours in our bedroom while Simon encouraged me and did pressure points on me. I vomited a couple of times and emptied my bowels to which I then said to Simon I have nothing left in me apart from our baby, I think I’m ready to go to the hospital.

Simon then called the hospital to let them know we were coming in (it was about 3:30am at this stage). They said they had a bath free and would start filling it up for us (I was very thankful when I heard this over the phone as I was really hoping to be in the water).

When we arrived at the hospital I had a contraction on all fours in the carpark. At this point in the carpark on the ground I was thinking about the year prior going in to birth our twin girls who were stillborns. I was pretty well in the same spot in the carpark and wanted to completely break down and get far away from the hospital.

Simon helped me walk in as I reminded myself things were going to be different this time. I had two more contractions on the way in and we were met by a midwife at reception while I was on the floor. I had a cannula put in as my heart rate was a little high. We were then met by an MGP midwife who was going to be with us for the birth.

Simon set up the room (fairy lights, music and my comfort items). I straight away felt comfortable with our MGP midwife and she helped me settle into the space (our two allocated MGP midwives were unable to be there so I was so glad I felt comfortable with an unfamiliar face).

I asked about some pain relief options at which she said how about you hop in the bath for pain relief. Simon and I then both got into the bath and it was amazing pain relief. We both shed a tear at this point as it brought back being in the bath labouring with our girls.

It was about 4:30am at this stage and Simon had the gas ready at each contraction and I was holding the birth comb tight. I was very quiet during most of this labor until baby started moving down my pelvis at which point I started screaming and emerged out of the water. I could not believe the pain.

I panicked for a moment until I realised my only option was to surrender to God in this moment. There was nothing else I could do. This thought process helped me and after some time the intense pain settled and I sat back down in the water. I then felt very calm and went very quiet and our baby started merging their way out.

Our midwife asked if I wanted to feel baby’s head at which I said no but then soon decided I wanted to. This really helped me to connect to our baby and I couldn’t believe I was touching their hair. This made it all so real and I breathed through the rest of the contractions with some pushing and then brought baby up to my chest - 9.34am.

This was such a profound moment. Simon and I were so in love and spent some quality time together in the bath. We soon looked to see the s*x and realised we were holding our precious baby boy.

My placenta came out as I got out of the bath and then we all cuddled up together in bed.

I’m so grateful for the skills and knowledge from Calmbirth. Cherie helped us to understand just how incredible the birthing process is and how to induce all the natural hormones and oxytocin. Cherie also helped us come to know the kind of birth we would love to have and how to advocate for what we would like.

We also had the privilege of having Cherie at the birth of our twins, Lexie and Polly. So we had experienced firsthand things that were helpful in the birthing space. We couldn’t be more thankful for how Carlo’s birth went and how wonderful the staff were at the hospital.

We were thankful we asked Simon’s parents about the middle name as we did in fact have a boy. His middle name is in loving memory of a family member named Hank. 🤎

Laura

09/07/2025

Ola’s birth story (Home birth - 40 weeks and 6 days)

"I felt the knowledge from the Calmbirth classes around the stages of labour and what they might feel like coming back to me and this gave me confidence that I was progressing as I felt new sensations coming on."

On Tuesday the 3rd of June at 40 weeks and 6 days I had been stressed about being past my due date, but was feeling better after a reassuring appointment at home with my midwife Josephine.

I walked Josephine out and sat down on the couch around 6:30pm, and suddenly felt my waters break. I couldn’t believe it as I think I had mentally just resigned to the fact my baby wasn’t coming any time soon. It was also crazy because when I first found out I was pregnant I predicted her birth date as the 3rd of June (due date had been 28th of May) and I had said earlier that week ‘if I’m not in labour by the 3rd of June I’ll be shocked.’ My subconscious must have known somehow.

I called Josephine to let her know, she said she’d call back in an hour to check in.

An hour later my contractions had started. When we spoke to Josephine again she advised us not to get too excited just yet and to rest / try to sleep. We never got a chance to do either as within an hour my contractions were intense. We were frantically getting things ready, rushing to set up the lounge room with waterproof floor coverings, candles and affirmation cards and doing last minute things like brushing my teeth and setting up the TENS machine.

Within an hour my contractions were 5 minutes apart, within 2 hours they were 3 minutes apart lasting around 1 minute. We called Josephine to come over as things felt very intense very quickly.

By the time she arrived I was having regular intense contractions, it felt like I never had any early labour and I went straight into active labour. I used the TENS machine and birth comb initially and later got into the birth pool.

I did find it hard to relax my muscles during contractions even in the pool, the pain was extremely intense. I found it hard to change positions or keep as active as I had hoped and spent a long time on my knees in the pool.

I was able to breathe / moan through contractions initially but as time went on I was hearing myself make noises I didn’t even recognise!

I never asked what time it was, how far along I was or for a vaginal exam, I just wanted to keep focusing on getting through the next contraction and trusting that my body was doing it’s job.

I felt the knowledge from the Calmbirth classes around the stages of labour and what they might feel like coming back to me and this gave me confidence that I was progressing as I felt new sensations coming on.

For me the worst part was that urge to push / opening feeling, it felt so intense and out of control and I didn’t feel I was getting anywhere for a long time during this stage. I didn’t have much of a break between contractions at any point and was feeling really exhausted. Ola’s heart rate was quite high, so Josephine had me change positions.

Her heart rate remained high and she wasn’t descending so an ambulance was called in case I needed to be transferred to hospital for an instrumental birth.

I tried a few different positions at this point, squatting, toilet, all fours with knees in ankles out, but Ola wasn’t descending and her heart rate remained high. I felt really scared at this point. I knew I had to get her out, and that I couldn’t face the move into an ambulance or the use of forceps.

Josephine offered me some coached pushing which she was hesitant about as she wanted me to be able to move and push intuitively, but I was happy to accept as I didn’t feel I was getting anywhere and wanted the guidance. We began the coached pushing which was really hard, I was in so much pain and was so exhausted. I couldn’t feel her moving down like I had expected so I didn’t feel like it was working.

In that moment the paramedics arrived. I was desperate to get her out safely and to avoid transferring to hospital in peak labour, and to avoid facing an instrumental birth which was a big fear of mine. I summoned every last scrap of strength I had and pushed and pushed with Josephine’s guidance.

It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically and mentally. All of a sudden Josephine said her head was out. I breathed and panted and tried to stay calm as I felt a burning stretching sensation. Josephine said in the next contraction her body would come out.

All of a sudden there she was, in my arms, warm and slippery. I couldn’t believe it. We looked at her in awe, our little girl finally arrived at 5:15am on the 4th of June.

Afterwards:
Unfortunately we did have to spend the day in hospital as when we went in for my stitches we discovered Ola’s oxygen and blood sugar were low so we spent a day there for her to be monitored. She stabilised and we went home at midnight that night.

Thank you and happy reading!

Mary.

Congratulation Mary & Zaheer, Ola is beautiful, thank you for sharing your birth story.

26/05/2025

You're Invited -
Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Group with Ayla
Hosted at Mudbar Restaurant, Launceston.
Sunday 29th June 3pm-5pm.

Join us for a warm, welcoming support group led by the radiant Ayla, Postpartum Doula, Remedial Massage Therapist, and true sunshine in human form. 🌞

This gathering is open to anyone who is pregnant or in the early postpartum period. You're also very welcome to bring your baby (up to 3 months old).

Connect with other mums, ask questions, share experiences, and receive trusted guidance from Ayla’s extensive experience in postpartum care.

We’re also excited to include a Group Postpartum Planning Session, featuring the Blossom Motherhood Postpartum Planning Booklet, filled with practical resources and thoughtful worksheets to help you feel prepared and supported.

What We’ll Explore:
🌿 How to prepare for optimal healing and reconnection after birth
🕊️ Creating time and space for rest in early motherhood
🥣 Nourishing, warming postpartum-friendly foods
🧡 How to build your “village” of support

Whether you're preparing for birth or navigating the first few weeks after, this group is a nurturing space to learn, share, and feel truly supported.

Cost $15
Limited tickets, purchase here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1381148786199?aff=oddtdtcreator
Blossom Motherhood

Come along for a cozy and supportive gathering where mums can connect and prepare for the postpartum period with the wonderful Ayla.