helping parents relax and follow their own path
from pregnancy on
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Home Birth Conference
Saturday 6th June
International Home Birth Day
Venue 360, Luton, LU1 3JH
A day of positivity about home birth, physiological birth, and personalised care - for everyone.
For parents, midwives, doulas and anyone supporting families in the perinatal period.
Sharing wisdom and stories, like we have done for millenia.
At a time when physiological birth rate is less than half, when home birth services remain suspended in some areas, and birth trauma is on the rise, this conference has never been more needed.
Speakers
Speakers announced so far:
Becky Reed, retired midwife of the Albany Midwifery Practice and author of a couple of books, including Birth in Focus, my favourite home birth book. Becky will start the day off, talking to the overall theme.
Mars Lord, founder of Abuela Doulas, life coach and goddess, talking about Black maternal health, and home birth.
Anna Madeley, research midwife and lecturer, author of 'Home Birth' (2023), talking about home birth 'outside of guidelines', for parents and midwives.
Michelle Quashie, parent and independent consultant on maternity transformation, talking about personalised maternity care and how informed decision making plays out in practice.
Jael Kamagate, doula, talking about the 'gentrification of home birth', colonialism, medicalisation.
Chantice Gervias, parent, birth healing and babywearing educator at Zen with Chan, talking about home birth after birth trauma.
Megan Rossiter, antenatal teacher, doula, podcaster Birth Ed, talking about benefits and power of planning a home birth.
Ria Clarke, obstetrician, @DoctorMummy, talking about her two home births, and the obstetric PoV.
Alex Quinn, Maternity Autism Research Group & author of Autistic and Expecting, talking about supporting autistic and neurdiverse parents.
Anna Byrom, midwife and co-owner of The Practising Midwife journal. Anna will cover how homebirth creates a space for midwifery knowledge and skills to flourish, & how to do so in a way that is meaningful and manageable.
Birth stories: parents sharing their home birth stories, with a variety of experiences, not the standard.
"If you’re interested in safe maternity care, protecting long term physical and mental health, choice, and improving experiences and outcomes, come and join us." Michelle Quashie
"I'm looking forward to speaking here. Homebirth should be accessible for all." Mars Lord
"This will be wonderful." Sheena Byrom
TICKETS
Early Bird tickets
(available until end of 6th April)
£74.83
(£73 + £1.83 booking fee).
Reduced Early Bird rate for students and low income:
£55.35
(£54 + £1.35 booking fee).
(No evidence required.)
(available until end of 6th April)
-----------------------------
Full price tickets
(from 7th April)
£94.30
(£92 + £2.30 booking fee).
Reduced rate for students and low income:
£64.58
(£63 + £1.58 booking fee).
Extras:
Q&A. Birth stories. Birh pool demo.
Stalls:
The Practising Midwife Journal, University of Bedfordshire Midwifery Department, Independent Midwives UK, birth pool hire, doulas, training for doulas and midwives, first aid training, and others.
If you are interested in sponsoring the event or having a stall, please get in touch. cathy@chilledmama.co.uk
Venue:
Riverside Suite, Venue 360, 20 Gipsy Ln, Luton LU1 3JH
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Four minute walk from Luton Parkway Station, on the Brighton-Bedford ThamesLink line.
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5 min drive from M1 Junction 10.
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Lots of free parking.
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5 min shuttle from Luton Airport
Accessibility:
The venue is flat and accessible. There are disabled parking bays, and a Loop system. I can provide a video walk through of the venue. There is an outside area and we can show you where there are quieter spaces. Seats can be reserved where you need them. If you need to arrive early, that can be arranged. There is space on the booking form to let us know what you need to access this event.
More information:
The conference is being organsied by me, Cathy, Chilled Mama, and Nicola Ward Your Independent Midwife, Debra Russell Roar Birthing, Jess Slender, Sophie Hiscock The Village Midwife, Nicki Ford Bold Birthing, and Zoe Roberts, ZLR Fitness.
Please contact me with any questions or ideas. I love to hear from you.
FAQs
Can I bring my baby?
Babes in arms are welcome of course. Toddlers at your discretion.
What's the nearest train station?
Luton Parkway train station is less than 5 min walk. Luton Parkway is on the Bedford-Brighton Thameslink line that goes through London Bridge and St Pancras.
What is parking like?
There is lots of free parking at the venue. The venue is 5 mins from M1 junction 10. And really easy to find.
I'd like to come but it is too far.
London Luton Airport is a short tram link away.
I have access needs.
Let us know what you need. Venue 360 is flat access. We can reserve a disabled parking bay. Tell us where you would like to sit and we can reserve a chair for you. We can also tell you about quiet spaces, provide interpreters, etc.
If you would like to volunteer on the day, please get in touch.
Inclusion is the key theme of the conference, and Chilled Mama is a signatory to The Diversity Charter, “committing to seeking ways to create better events by increasing the diversity of the people on stage as well as in the audience.”
"Cathy is such a warm genuine person, full of knowledge and a passion for supporting women and their families."
"Cathy has been a huge help on my journey into motherhood, with her calming manner and reassuring words. Words underpinned by knowledge of the research and science of pregnancy, labour and birth, feeding, sleep, weaning, and other important areas of new babies' lives.
She also knows that we can't just look after the new babies, parents are also important.
I have gone to several of Cathy's courses and retreat days now and can only recommend her warmly, like a buoy in the rough sea that is parenthood."
"Cathy is a fantastic doula, she has a lovely chilled vibe and really knows her stuff. I felt very comforted and safe with her during my laobur. I would also really recommend any of the courses she runs; she's been doing this a long time and has a lot of experience."