About the Book
We are collecting and curating empowering, positive stories of your journey to conception, parenthood, pregnancy, birth and everything in between. The rainbow community deserves and needs more representation of the dedication and journey it takes to having a family. It is our intention to publish these positive stories in a book alongside photos of LGBTTQIA+ whānau. You can be totally anonymous or bombard us with gorgeous photos, however you wish.
As koha for your submission, you will receive a voucher for a photoshoot* of your whānau, free of charge, with no obligation to submit your photos to us.
As always, there is not enough representation of queer and rainbow whānau in the world. We are valid. We are enough. We deserve a fancy coffee table book that showcases positive whānau in the LGBTTQIA+ community.
Go to findyourmidwife.co.nz and use the search tools to find a midwife.
No, if you are eligible, midwifery care is free of charge. You do not have to pay if you meet the Ministry of Health criteria.
Get in touch when you know you are pregnant in order to book in with a midwife. Usually, your midwife will see you for your booking appointment between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. This appointment will cover your medical history, your previous pregnancy history (if any) and the plan of care for your pregnancy. Your midwife will usually arrange any blood tests or scans to take place before or during this appointment.
Your midwife will be your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and depending on your risk factors, this will determine how often you will be seen. It is best to discuss the frequency of your appointments with your midwife.
Most parents will give birth at Auckland City Hospital, however you may wish to birth at home or at Birthcare. You will discuss this at your first appointment with your midwife.
If all is well, you will have a dating scan betwen 10-12 weeks. This may also include screening for any chromosomal abnormalities if you would like this. You will also be offered an anatomy scan at 20 weeks gestation to screen for phsyical abnormalities. If there are concerns, then your midwife may refer you for scans during your pregnancy, but otherwise if your pregnancy is progressing normally, then you will be offered a scan at approximately 40 weeks gestation.
You can also purchase scan packages from certain radiology providers, to access more scans during your pregnancy if you wish to. Arlene is always happy to provide you with a referral for these, however please note that if they are not 'medically indicated', there is occasionally a higher charge for these. Radiology providers are busy and it is often difficult to get an appointment, so please be mindful that you are not using up precious resources that someone else may desperately need.
EMPWR's priority is to provide care for those in the rainbow community; however if Arlene has space for the month that you or your partner are due to give birth, then Arlene is more than happy to have a conversation about caring for you.
If Arlene is your midwife already, then she is happy for you to refer other pregnant or hāpu people to her, if they are close friends or family of yours.
You can send your story to us in any format you like: write it down, video it, have an interview with one of us (via zoom, or in person), send us a work of art. However you choose to share your story is welcomed, encouraged and valid.
Yes. Your story cannot be shared, unless you sign a consent form.
Please email it to arlene@empwr.nz or lou@empwr.nz
No, please make sure you read all of the terms laid out in the consent form. But those in New Zealand will be gifted a professional photoshoot with local photographer Becki Moss as koha and thanks for the time and emotional energy required to share your story.
EMPWR's antenatal classes are an inclusive, holistic, 6 week birth and parenting course with an additional postnatal meet up after your baby is born.
Grounded in reproductive justice, we believe that every parent has the right to autonomy and self determination in their pregnancy, birth and parenting experience. Regardless of whether you're planning an undisturbed home birth, an elective caesarean, a hospital birth with an epidural or anything in between; we aim to provide you with the tools you need to navigate your experience in a way that feels empowering, positive and unique to you.
There is no right way to grow, birth, parent or feed a baby.
These antenatal classes are gentle, compassionate and kind. They aren't what you might expect. You will not be bored to tears with endless powerpoint presentations or made to feel that your question is silly. We aim to provide you with the information you want to know and the questions that you want answered and if that means we go off on a tangent, then so be it. Guided by you, with you at the centre of what we teach and discuss, this 6 week antenatal class will be your guide to an empowered birth.
By providing you with evidence based information, guiding you through exploration of your values and helping you develop your informed decision making skills; you will be able to apply these skills to your journey into and throughout parenthood.
Topics include::
Informed decision making: the consumer - care provider relationship and navigating deviations from your plan
Signs and stages of labor: when to call your midwife, how to cope in labour and practical tips for distraction
The role of support people: how you can assist the birthing person
Coping with discomfort: medical and non-medical techniques, including guidance from an acupuncturist and masseuse
Positive caesarean birth: and tools for recovery
Feeding your baby: including inducing lactation, co-feeding, donor milk and formula feeding
The basics of caring for your baby: swaddling, settling techniques, nappy changing and more
Becoming a parent: the transition to parenting, including your postpartum recovery
Everyone! Our antenatal classes are inclusive of all families and all bodies, we are HAES practitioners, inclusive of LGBTQIA+ whānau, polyamorous communities, solo parents, disabled parents, sex workers and those who need NZSL interpretation. We also have subsidised options for low-income families.
Whilst we are celebratory of LGBTQIA+ whānau, anyone is welcome to attend, you don't have to be part of the rainbow community to access evidence based childbirth education grounded in reproductive justice.
Ideally, you would start your antenatal classes in your third trimester, so from 28 weeks onwards. This means that there's enough time to consolidate your learning and put it into practice before having your baby and you won't have finished your classes too far in advance and have forgotten everything! If you're not sure which class date is best for you, send us an email and we are more than happy to help you.
The cost of your class is for one family unit; so that includes your partner(s) or a support person(s)!
YES!! EMPWR are passionate about ensuring everyone, regardless of financial barriers are able to access safe, rainbow celebratory antenatal education. Please email us if you need financial assistance and we can come up with an option that suits your whānau! We also have afterpay to help spread the cost as well.
Each set of classes also has ONE FREE SPACE for a family who need it, no questions asked. Just email us to grab your spot!
Questions? Want more information?
Please email us!