# llms-full.txt — South Coast Calmbirth # https://www.southcoastcalmbirth.com.au/ ## Overview South Coast Calmbirth provides the Calmbirth® prenatal education program in Berry, NSW, Australia. The service is led exclusively by Regina Power — a Certified Calmbirth® Educator, Qualified Doula, and Master of Counselling graduate with over 20 years of experience supporting families through pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum transition. Every South Coast Calmbirth program is personally facilitated by Regina. The focus is on helping expectant parents approach birth with calm, confidence, and informed understanding through evidence-based education, neuroscience-informed mindfulness, and partner-inclusive support. --- ## About Regina Power Regina Power is the founder and sole educator of South Coast Calmbirth. Her path into childbirth education began while working as a birth doula, where she witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes experienced by couples who had prepared using Calmbirth®. After attending a Calmbirth® class herself as a birth partner, she was inspired to train as an educator. In 2006, Regina was among the first cohort of teachers trained by Calmbirth® program founder Peter Jackson — a midwife who developed the program to combine neuroscience, mindfulness, and birth physiology into a single, accessible framework. **Credentials:** - Certified Calmbirth® Educator (trained 2006 by program founder Peter Jackson) - Certified Doula — practising since 2006 - Master of Counselling **Background:** Regina worked for a decade in in-home family therapy and school counselling before dedicating herself full-time to prenatal education. For the past 20 years she has supported hundreds of couples through Calmbirth® classes, helping them build confidence, strengthen communication with their care team, and transition into parenthood feeling prepared and empowered. Her philosophy: preparation is key to increasing satisfaction and confidence in every birth journey, regardless of how that birth unfolds. --- ## What is Calmbirth®? Calmbirth® is a nationally recognised, evidence-based antenatal program developed by Australian midwife Peter Jackson. It draws on three pillars: 1. **Neuroscience** — Understanding how the brain and nervous system respond to fear, and how to interrupt the fear–tension–pain cycle through informed preparation. 2. **Mindfulness** — Practical breath awareness, meditation, and visualisation techniques to keep the birthing parent calm and focused. 3. **Birth physiology** — Detailed education about how labour works, so parents can work with their bodies rather than against them. The program is designed to reduce birth anxiety, build confidence in the birth process, empower partners with an active role, and improve communication with midwives, obstetricians, and GPs. Calmbirth® is suitable for first-time parents and those who have previously experienced birth, including those who have experienced birth trauma or caesarean birth. --- ## The 8 Curriculum Topics The South Coast Calmbirth program covers 8 evidence-based topics over 12 face-to-face hours: ### 1. Birth Psychology Explores how mental state, thoughts, and beliefs directly influence labour and birth outcomes. Research in perinatal psychology demonstrates that psychological preparation significantly affects maternal satisfaction and perceived sense of control. This topic introduces the mind-body connection and how confidence shapes the birth experience. ### 2. Labour Physiology A detailed overview of the four stages of labour and how the body naturally prepares itself for birth. Understanding the physiology of birth empowers parents to recognise what is happening and work with contractions rather than resisting them. ### 3. Practical Birth Tools Hands-on training in evidence-based techniques including: visualisation, meditation, breathing strategies, massage, acupressure, and active birth positioning. These tools give the birthing parent and their partner concrete, practised strategies to manage the physical and mental demands of labour. ### 4. Partner Support Partners receive their own "birth toolbox" — practical training in how to provide emotional and physical support during labour. The course ensures both partners leave with the same information at the same time, which reduces the mental load on the birthing parent and gives the supporting partner a clear, confident role. ### 5. Preparation for All Birth Journeys The program prepares couples for any birth outcome — including medical interventions, assisted births, caesarean sections, and the emotional dimensions of previous birth trauma. This evidence-based, non-judgmental approach acknowledges that every birth is valid and worthy of thoughtful preparation. ### 6. Conscious Parenting Covers prenatal bonding, skin-to-skin contact, the transition into parenthood, and realistic expectations for the postnatal period. Participants explore how to create the conditions for healthy attachment and early child development from birth onwards. ### 7. Self-Care Emphasises the importance of physical and emotional self-care throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period. Includes strategies for maintaining calm, managing the demands of new parenthood, and supporting postnatal wellbeing. ### 8. Evidence-Based Decision Making Develops participants' ability to understand and evaluate current research, communicate their preferences clearly with their care provider, and make decisions that align with their values and circumstances rather than fear. --- ## Course Format & Inclusions - **Duration:** 12 hours of face-to-face education - **Format:** Weekend intensive — Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM - **Location:** Wesley Hall (Berry Uniting Church), 77 Albert Street, Berry NSW 2535 — a refurbished 1884 Wesleyan Church with air-conditioning, good acoustics, kitchen facilities, and AV equipment - **Class size:** Maximum 8 couples per intake (maximum 16 attendees) - **Suitable from:** 24–34 weeks gestation; earlier or later attendance possible **Every booking includes:** - Comprehensive course booklet with learning materials - Calmbirth® audio files (guided relaxation and meditation tracks) for home practice - Morning and afternoon tea provided each day - One hour lunch break (Berry town centre cafés and restaurants nearby) - Access to a private WhatsApp support group - Monthly mothers group meetings held in Berry - LGBTIQA+ inclusive environment --- ## Pricing & Booking - **Course fee:** AUD $595 per couple - **Deposit:** A non-refundable $150 deposit secures your place - **Balance:** Payment in full is due one week prior to the course - **Cancellation policy:** Cancellations within 4 weeks of the course date will only be refunded if the place can be filled by another couple. Non-attendance is non-refundable. The $150 deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances. Classes fill quickly. Booking in advance is strongly recommended. **Book:** via the Classes page at southcoastcalmbirth.com.au/classes.html **Phone:** 0402 349 419 **Email:** info@southcoastcalmbirth.com.au --- ## Survey Evidence In 2013, a national survey of nearly 3,800 Australian couples who had completed the Calmbirth® Prenatal Education Program found: - **Anxiety before the course:** Over 50% of respondents reported feeling anxious, frightened, or very frightened about birth before attending. After completing the program, this dropped to just **2.6%**. - **Pain management:** Nearly 50% of Calmbirth® graduates required **no analgesia** during labour — compared to a population average of 90% who use some form of pain relief. - The program produced a documented transformation in emotional state, with the vast majority of participants reporting increased confidence and readiness for birth. Source: Calmbirth® National Survey of Participant Outcomes, 2013. --- ## Testimonials > "After the two days, I had a major mental shift — I am feeling so positive and empowered about the birth of our baby. The breathing, relaxation, visualisation and tools that Regina taught us I'll hold onto for life." > — **Kate Sergent** > "My partner walked away so much more informed and engaged and I left feeling confident that my body was made to do this thing. During labour, my partner was an incredible advocate for me, using knowledge from the Calmbirth course." > — **Renae Coles** > "A totally transformative experience for both myself and my partner. The course was all about fostering a positive mindset with affirmation and information. We feel so much more confident and prepared. Regina was brilliant." > — **Laura Elle** > "Regina is simply wonderful. My husband Matt and I shared a really lovely and empowering weekend together in Berry. The environment was warm and welcoming and we felt so supported. I got a better understanding of the practical side of birthing and now feel emotionally prepared — and I'm actually very excited about the upcoming experience of it all! She is experienced, knowledgeable, abundantly kind and friendly, and just the perfect facilitator for this course." > — **Athena C.** > "I was quite overwhelmed by the thought of birth and wasn't really on the same page as my husband. Through the course I was able to understand more about the natural physiology process of birth and that by trusting my body I could give birth with confidence. I would highly recommend Regina to anyone looking to do the Calm Birth course — you won't regret it." > — **Nicole Karacsonyi** > "We left feeling much more confident about birth and stronger as a team. She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about birth, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere." > — **Lucy Lavery** South Coast Calmbirth holds a 5-star aggregate rating based on 130+ reviews. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is the best time to take the Calmbirth® course?** The ideal window is between 24 and 34 weeks gestation. Attending earlier or later in pregnancy is also possible depending on individual circumstances. **Q: Where is the course held?** Wesley Hall (Berry Uniting Church), 77 Albert Street, Berry NSW 2535. The heritage 1884 Wesleyan Church has been relocated and refurbished, and features air-conditioning, good acoustics, kitchen facilities, and sound and video equipment. **Q: Where can I park?** All car parking in Berry is free. Untimed parking is available on Princess Street or Albert Street, just off the main road. **Q: What about food and coffee?** Morning and afternoon tea snacks are provided as part of the course. There is a one-hour lunch break — participants may bring a picnic or enjoy the many restaurants and cafés in Berry town centre. **Q: Is accommodation available nearby?** Yes. Options include Airbnb, hotels and motels in and around Berry, and The Retrospect Bed and Breakfast. Berry is a popular destination — booking accommodation in advance is strongly recommended. **Q: Is the course LGBTIQA+ inclusive?** Yes. South Coast Calmbirth warmly welcomes any lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual, and questioning (LGBTIQA+) community member. All are welcome in the small, supportive class environment. **Q: What is the cancellation policy?** Cancellations within 4 weeks of the course date will only be refunded if the place is filled by another couple. Non-attendance is non-refundable. The $150 non-refundable deposit is separate from this policy and is retained regardless of cancellation reason. --- ## Contact - **Phone:** 0402 349 419 - **Email:** info@southcoastcalmbirth.com.au - **Address:** 77 Albert Street, Berry NSW 2535 - **Website:** https://www.southcoastcalmbirth.com.au --- ## Disclaimer The Calmbirth® program is an educational resource and does not replace the care of your registered midwife, obstetrician, or GP.