about prenatal active birth workshpops
An Active Birth Prenatal Workshop prepares expecting mothers and their birth partner for labour and birth.
This workshop will take you into a practical, lighthearted journey into the physiology of the birth process, starting with labour all the way to the first golden hours when the child is born. For now this workshop is in English language.
Workshops are on a Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00
To find out dates for upcoming workshops and more about the principles of Active Birth see below.
Why Active Birth!
The Origins of Active Birth
The Active Birth movement emerged around the 70s as a response to the overly medicalized approach to childbirth, where women were often confined to hospital beds and required to give birth lying on their backs. This movement was championed by Janet Balaskas, a childbirth educator and yoga practitioner, who believed that women should reclaim their natural ability to give birth without unnecessary interventions. Her work has inspired countless women and healthcare providers to embrace a more holistic, woman-centered approach to childbirth.
Key Principles of Active Birth
Freedom of Movement – Movement during labor helps women manage pain, encourages optimal positioning of the baby, and supports the natural progression of labor. Women are encouraged to walk, sway, squat, or kneel—whatever feels most comfortable.
Upright Positions – Positions such as standing, squatting, or kneeling use gravity to assist the baby’s descent, making labor more efficient and reducing the need for interventions.
Breathing and Relaxation – Breathing techniques and relaxation are integral to managing pain and maintaining focus during labour, helping women feel more confident and in control.
Informed Choice – Active Birth empowers women to make informed decisions about their birthing process, ensuring they understand their options and feel supported by their caregivers.
The Benefits of Active Birth
Shorter Labor – Upright and active positions can help speed up labor by improving uterine contractions and facilitating the baby’s movement through the birth canal.
Reduced Need for Interventions – Active birth can decrease the likelihood of interventions such as epidurals, forceps, or cesarean sections.
Empowerment and Confidence – Women who experience active births often feel more in control and positive about their childbirth experience.
Lower chances of complications for Mother and Baby – Active birthing practices are associated with fewer complications and a smoother recovery for both mother and baby.
Reclaim the power of Birth
Active Birth is about more than just positions or techniques; it’s a lot about connecting with the innate wisdom of your body and experiencing birth as a natural, transformative experience. Whether you are planning a hospital birth, home birth, or at a birth-centre experience, Active Birth provides the tools and confidence to empower you for birth.
Get in touch if you have questions.
upcoming Prenatal Active Birth Workshop dates
What you will learn
Physiology of Birth
Learn the principles of birth. Just what you need to know to support your trust in the process.
Understanding Hormonal Physiology
The part played by your homrones and what impacts the flow of hormones during birth.
Active Birth Principles
Learn different positions for each stage of labour, and why movement matters.
Breathing and Relaxation
We learn breathing techniques and practice various relaxation techniques and why these help during before, during birth and after birth.
The role of the Birth Partner
We make space to focus on how the birth partner can support and hold you, whether at home or hospital.
Making choices during birth!
How to make informed choices in labour, including when medical interventions may be helpful or necessary.
Confidence, Instinct and mindset
Learning to stay present even when things change.
After Birth
Learn about optimal care practices after birth that will support the transitionfor you all.
Frequently Asked Questions
This workshop is suitable for pregnant women from 25 weeks, regardless of whether it’s your first pregnancy or not. Whether you are planning a hospital birth or not, what you learn and experience at an active birth class will support in any scenario birth will unfold for you.
Absolutely yes. The workshop is not tailored to any specific birth plan, whether water birth, hospital or at home, this Prenatal class will help you both to feel more confident and have tools to use and more awareness to navigate this process.
Absolutely! We encourage birth partners to join as they play a vital role in supporting you during labor. The workshop will provide them with awareness and practical tips and tools to be support you through the hours of birth and the early hours after.
Active Birth workshops considers birth an instinctual, dynamic process which aims to empower women with knowledge and practical techniques for a more natural and instinctive birthing experience. It highlights the natural unpredictable nature of birth as an essential part of the process.
It offers -what you need to know- information and experiential learning and tools that will make you feel resourced.
At the moment the Active Birth workshop is scheduled for Saturdays from 10.00 to 17.00 with a lunch break of 30 mins and two short tea breaks.
Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for gentle movement. You may want to bring a water bottle, and a notebook if you’d like to take notes.
You can take your packed lunch or explore a variety of lunch options in the centre of Schiedam within walking distance.
Tea and light refreshment will be offered during break time.
Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the start time will receive a full refund or can be rescheduled to another date.
Get in touch directly for assistance if you need to change the date.
The workshop takes place in a quiet, warm space in a an old recently renovated building in the centre of Schiedam.
Yes you can attend the workshop alone and for that you pay €90.
For this please contact me directly via email.
© Irida Hysenbelli – Women’s Den, 2025. All content created with care.