Empowering Birth Education on the Central Coast

Antenatal Classes Central Coast

If anyone understands the overwhelm parents-to-be face when navigating the birth of their baby, it’s Lauren Brenton. First and foremost, that’s because she’s travelled the journey herself, four times.  But she’s experienced it countless more alongside the families she’s helped as a midwife and antenatal educator – and it’s that experience that has driven her to empower expecting parents with independent, unbiased, evidence-based, personalised, and, dare we say it, fun education.

Lauren’s just opened her stunning new studio space for One Mama Midwife classes in the heart of Gosford, conveniently nestled in between Gosford Public and Gosford Private Hospitals, where parents might enter scratching their heads but leave feeling confident, informed, and empowered.

So, what does that mean and who is it for? Coasties asked Lauren all the questions.

Coasties: Lauren, congratulations on the opening of your new studio! Can you tell us what inspired you to bring antenatal classes to the Central Coast?

Lauren: “In Covid I saw such a big gap between the information people deserved and what they needed to know, that they just weren’t getting from hospital-based classes or any other classes out there. I’m offering families high quality, evidence-based information that they can trust and have the confidence in their birth going forward.”

Coasties: Who are the classes for? 

Lauren: “They’re really for everyone – I have the antenatal classes that cover absolutely everything, and then I have caesarean classes as well which focus solely on caesareans and the highest quality, evidence-based information to do with preparing for caesareans, healing after birth and maximising that procedure for both mum and bub. This one I really am super passionate about as well because, being a caesarean mum myself, there really wasn’t much information out there and to be honest there’s really such a bad stigma still around caesareans, so that’s all removed in the class, and we really just give these parents the confidence in their birth choice.

“I recommend to parents that they come anywhere between 25 to 34 weeks, obviously you want to be close enough to the birth that you remember it and it’s all fresh in your mind, but not leaving it too late in case they go into labour.” 

Empowering Birth Education on the Central Coast

Coasties: How are your classes different?

Lauren: “They’re run by an endorsed midwife but not set towards a specific hospital policy so there’s no bias, there’s no opinion, there’s no prejudice on whatever choice these families want to make. Everyone comes into birth with a different life experience, different hopes, dreams, goals and wants, and these classes can be tailored to exactly what those individuals want in that class.

“Birth is really dynamic – it changes. The evidence that we’re seeing changes all the time, so reading a book that may have been published 10 years ago is completely different to what actually happens in the hospital system. These classes are hands-on and practical, there’s no sitting in a big conference room being talked at – it’s a fun and enjoyable experience.”

Coasties: You’ve emphasised the importance of unbiased and evidence-based education. Why is this so crucial for expecting parents?

Lauren: “My aim is to really just educate and give couples and families the confidence and preparation so that when they come into the birth space they know what they’re doing, they know what their options are, they know when things do start to go slightly off track or unplanned, we have these available options that are safe. Knowing you can advocate for yourself is a massive gamechanger for these families who can have such a positive birth experience, and it all comes down to confidence and not being scared in that situation.”

Coasties: Are the classes just for first time parents?

Lauren: “I would recommend these classes for first time parents definitely but also second time parents; we have had a lot of second time parents come through who want to unpack what happened last time or if they’re wanting to have the best information on how to try and have a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).”

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One Mama Midwife Antenatal classes run over one five hour day or can be split into two weekday evening classes, and are eligible for up to $400 back in Private Health Rebates. Coasties readers can get a 30% discount off the cost of January classes by using the code, COASTIES. 

To book, visit their online home here.  And, make sure you follow Lauren on Instagram: @onemamamidwife

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