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Serene Births Perth

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Woodvale, WA
Serene Births Perth

Bringing the best of both worlds to birth. Serving the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia.

I’m a midwife-turned-doula offering private and small group birth classes that blend clinical know-how with calm, confident support.

28/07/2025

Do we need more technology in the birth space?

You’ve probably seen this in the news — a new fetal monitoring device being hailed as a breakthrough.

It claims to detect distress more accurately than CTG. But it has to be attached directly to the baby’s head once the membranes have ruptured — a significant intervention that’s not being talked about clearly enough.

Has it been properly trialled? Is there strong evidence that it improves outcomes? Or are we repeating history — introducing a device and calling it progress without asking the hard questions first?

I’m not anti-tech. But I don’t see how adding another intervention solves the problem of too many interventions.

The funding used for this could have easily been allocated to better pay and safer conditions for midwives, or subsidised training for students.

What really worries me is the risk that this will be recommended for everyone, in the name of “improving outcomes,” with little thought for the consequences of intervening without a clinical need.

And let’s not ignore the impact on care: the more screens, alarms and devices we introduce, the more midwives are pulled away from the women they’re there to support.

Is more technology what’s really missing in birth?
Or is it time, trust, and continuity of care?

Yes, technology can save lives — when it’s truly needed. But for most women, better outcomes come from less interference, not more.

Let’s not lose sight of that in the rush to innovate.

🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-22/fetal-monitoring-device-hailed-as-breakthrough/105558390

07/07/2025

Skin-to-skin in theatre? After a Caesarean? Yes — it can (and should) be done.

Just because your baby is born in an operating theatre doesn’t mean you should miss out on those first magical moments of skin-to-skin.

A growing body of evidence supports immediate or early skin-to-skin contact following a Caesarean (if mother and baby are both well). It can:
– Help regulate your baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing.
– Support early breastfeeding and reduce formula use in hospital.
– Boost bonding and maternal satisfaction.

Skin-to-skin can be with either parent — whoever is ready and able to hold baby close in those first minutes.

So why isn’t it standard?

Hospitals often cite barriers like staffing shortages, cold theatre temps, outdated routines, and lack of policy. But a 2019 review found that with the right teamwork and planning, skin-to-skin is feasible —and overwhelmingly beneficial — for healthy mothers and babies.

Writing a birth plan? Have an early conversation with your care provider about how they can support immediate or early skin-to-skin contact — no matter how your baby is born. It’s not a lot to ask for.

Your birth. Your baby. Your right to connection.

📖 Source: Stevens J, Schmied V, Burns E, Dahlen H. Immediate or early skin‐to‐skin contact after a Caesarean section: a review of the literature. Maternal & Child Nutrition. 2019. PMC6860199

06/07/2025

Birth classes?
On a Sunday?
In the comfort of your own home?
With no extra charge?

Yep — it’s all part of the service. Because I know that squeezing in birth prep between work, kids, appointments, and life isn’t always easy. So I come to you — weekends, weeknights, whenever you need. No stress, no extra fees, just solid, evidence-based education (and a few laughs too!) tailored to your unique needs.

Let’s make birth prep calm, practical, and maybe even a little bit fun!

📍 Perth-based, evidence-based, and always woman-centred.

20/06/2025

Everyone’s talking about VBAC calculators.
But where did they come from - and can you trust the numbers?

The first VBAC calculator was created in 2007 by American researcher Dr. William Grobman. It was based on data from thousands of births and looked at patterns in who was more likely to have a vaginal birth after caesarean.

Since then, most VBAC calculators have followed that same model - factoring in things like age, BMI, reason for previous caesarean, and whether you’ve had a vaginal birth before.

They’re often described as “evidence-based,” and they do have research behind them - but that doesn’t mean they’re always accurate.

Studies show they’re reasonably good at predicting outcomes when your calculated chance is over 60%. But when the score is lower, the calculator often underestimates the likelihood of a successful VBAC. In other words, some people are told their chances are low, when in fact, they will likely go on to achieve their VBAC.

And the tools don’t take into account things like your care provider, support system, or birth environment - all of which make a big difference. Some older versions even included ethnicity as a factor, which has since been challenged for reinforcing bias rather than improving outcomes.

So while VBAC calculators can be one piece of the puzzle, they’re not a full picture. And they definitely shouldn’t be used to discourage you from exploring your options.

Remember - you are a person, not a percentage.

18/06/2025

A calm, beautiful birth space might look “extra”… but it’s not.
⠀
It’s science.
⠀
When you feel safe, relaxed, and well supported, your body releases oxytocin — the powerhouse hormone behind contractions that keeps labour progressing.
⠀
But oxytocin is shy.
It doesn’t flow well under bright lights, with constant interruptions, unfamiliar faces, or when you’re feeling stressed.
⠀
That’s where the soft lighting, quiet music, and creature comforts from home come in.
They’re not just nice extras — they help your body function at its best.
⠀
This isn’t fluff. It’s physiology.
⠀
Small details, big impact. What’s going in your birth space kit?

17/06/2025

Let’s be honest — not every birth partner walks into a class full of enthusiasm.
Some show up because they were asked (strongly).
Some come for the snacks.
Some think it’s going to be a long list of breathing techniques and awkward anatomy diagrams.

But here’s what actually happens:

➡️ They get clear, honest answers to the things they’ve quietly been wondering about.
➡️ They find out what actually helps during labour — and what doesn’t.
➡️ They realise they’re not just there to hold hands and keep quiet — they have a crucial role.

My birth classes aren’t just about the birth plan or stages of labour.
They’re about preparing both of you — practically and mentally — for what’s ahead.

By the end of the session, the energy shifts.
They’re more confident. More informed. And often, more connected to the whole process.

And yes — it’s usually the birth partner who says, “I’m so glad we did this.”

👉 Curious what my birth classes actually cover?
It’s not about perfection — it’s about feeling prepared, supported, and part of the process.
If you’re ready to feel more confident heading into birth, let’s chat.

📸 Gorgeous photos captured by

12/06/2025

Birth partners do more than hold hands and fetch water.
They’re witnesses. Advocates. Emotional anchors.
The person who knows you best when things feel unfamiliar.

How they show up can shape how a woman feels — seen, safe, supported.
And birth shapes them, too.
Some walk away in awe. Others carry questions, or feel quietly shaken by what they saw and unsure how to talk about it.

But they rarely get much preparation — just vague instructions to “be supportive.”

That’s why in my classes, we spend real time on the birth partner’s role.
Not just what to do — but how to be there, fully.
For you. For themselves. For this huge moment you’ll never forget.

Because when a partner feels prepared, supported and confident - you both feel safer, more connected, and more in it together.

📸 birth partner magic captured by

11/06/2025

This post discusses birth trauma, so please feel free to scroll on if you need to.

When you hear the phrase ‘birth trauma’, what do you picture?
For many people, it’s the big, dramatic emergencies — sirens, surgery, rushing to save a life.

But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough:

Trauma isn’t just about what happened clinically.
It’s about how it felt.

And for many women, what leaves a lasting impact isn’t a crisis — it’s a quiet moment where they felt powerless, dismissed, or not given a voice.

Maybe a decision was made without your consent.
Maybe something was done to your body without a proper explanation. Maybe your pain was minimised, or you were told you were being “dramatic” when you weren’t.
And maybe, when you tried to talk about it afterwards, it didn’t sound like a big deal — not to others, anyway.

When it’s brushed off, we shut down. We feel guilty for feeling this way.
We stop sharing.

This kind of experience is incredibly common — and often overlooked.
But it matters. You matter.

You deserve to make sense of what happened — in your own time, and in your own words.
And you don’t have to do it alone.

10/06/2025

This one sentence can make a big difference.

In the intensity of labour, it’s easy to feel rushed into decisions — especially when something is framed as routine or urgent. There is usually time to take a step back and ask questions. And you’re absolutely allowed to speak privately with your partner or support person before agreeing to anything.

Taking a moment can give you space to:
↪️ Ask if there are other options.
↪️ Consider the benefits and risks.
↪️ Re-centre yourself before moving forward.

It’s your birth. You have the right to be at the centre of the decision-making process — even in the middle of labour.

09/06/2025

Skin-to-skin contact after birth isn’t just for bonding — it’s a powerful physiological support system for your baby.

Within minutes of being placed on your chest:

↪️Their heart rate becomes more stable.

↪️Their breathing regulates more quickly.

↪️Their body temperature is kept within a healthy range (your chest can literally warm or cool them).

↪️Blood sugar levels are better maintained — even in babies at risk of low glucose.

↪️The gut microbiome begins to develop — contact with your skin helps seed healthy bacteria.

↪️Breastfeeding is more likely to get off to a good start.

↪️And it benefits you too — lowering stress hormones, strengthening bonding, and increasing oxytocin, which helps birth the placenta, reduce bleeding, and support breastfeeding.

However your birth unfolds, early skin-to-skin contact (with Mum or Dad!) is one of the simplest, most effective ways to support your baby’s transition to life outside the womb.

Did you know it had this many benefits?

📸 Gorgeous photo captured by

05/06/2025

We say “trust your body” a lot in the birth world.

But how do you do that when your whole life you’ve probably been told your body needs managing, fixing, or controlling?

Trust doesn’t happen because someone tells you to. It happens when you understand what your body is doing — and when you feel respected and supported through the process.

This post unpacks why that phrase can fall flat — and what helps instead.

If this has got you thinking, this is exactly the kind of thing we explore in my birth classes — real knowledge, real tools, and no fluff.

You can learn more via the link in my bio.

04/06/2025

Yes, most hospitals offer their own classes for free — and you should absolutely attend them if you can. They’re a great way to get a general overview of how your local unit works.

But here’s why private birth education is still worth every penny:

↪️ Tailored support. Hospital classes are one-size-fits-all. Private sessions are personalised to YOU — your birth preferences, your partner, your questions.

↪️ Beyond the basics. We go deeper than “what to pack” or “when to go to the hospital.” You’ll learn how to advocate for yourself, understand your options, and make informed choices.

↪️ Consistent guidance. With private classes, you’re not just a face in a group. You get direct access to one educator who knows your story and walks with you through your prep.

↪️ Safe space for questions. No time limits. No awkwardness. Just honest, evidence-based answers to the stuff you really want to know.

In fact, attending both can be the perfect combo — get a feel for the basics with your hospital class, then experience the difference in depth, personalisation and support with a private session.

Curious about what private birth education could look like for you? Send me a message — I’d love to chat.

Address

Woodvale, WA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
Saturday	8am - 12pm

Telephone

+61401512883

Website

http://www.serenebirths.com.au/

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