BIRTHWORKS FOR NEW ZEALAND’S YOUNG PARENTS

New Years day saw people celebrating a fresh start the world over. But in Canterbury, New Zealand, the birthing community was celebrating for a different reason. The 1st of January 2015 marked the first day of district health board funding for young expectant parents to do BirthWorks with The Birthing Room, through The Youth Alive Trust. And this is worth celebrating for multiple reasons! Whilst The Birthing Room has been facilitating BirthWorks in Canterbury since 2013, it is the first time the NZ government has actually funded a completely different kind of antenatal education (i.e. one that differs from the medical model). So it is the first time parents in NZ have been able to do BirthWorks for FREE. And BirthWorks changes lives!

The excitement and support from the midwifery community has been wonderful. Midwives are really looking forward to young expectant parents receiving positive, empowering messages about birth. They believe this not only sets up young people for a positive birth experience, but also on a life altering path of good self esteem and gentle, loving parenting. 

In February midwives, family doctors, and school and sexual health nurses will be welcomed to an introductory evening of BirthWorks. This will be a special opportunity for key health professions to ask questions, hear from other’s experiences of BirthWorks, and see what the future holds for Cantabrian young parents. 

The Youth Alive Trust’s antenatal education for young expectant parents is called BUMP. As well as BirthWorks with The Birthing Room, the BUMP journey includes antenatal exercise, budget advice, nutrition and cooking skills, breastfeeding support, postnatal playgroups, and a mentor throughout each parent’s pregnancy and early parenting journey. The first BUMP course begins on March 31st.

By Rosemary Joyce January 2015