Our new Executive Committee has hit the ground running (see our previous post to meet the Executive Team) with the organisation of our annual Christmas morning tea. 

This is a great opportunity to meet other Birth Centre mums and possibly even reconnect with your midwives. 

Our morning tea event has grown with the help of the Arana Hills Mothers Group. Attendees will now be able to participate in the following activities at the event:
- Create a lava bead bracelet
- Make your own oil blend
- Pamper station
- Coffee cart
- Morning tea
- Jumping castle
- Outdoor playground for the kids
Attendance is free but please note that some of the craft activities have a fee as they are facilitated by external providers.
Our venue this year is airconditioned and there is a newly constructed fenced playground for the kids.

Each child who is registered will also receive a small gift. Please RSVP via the link below so they don't miss out. Gift will be suitable for all ages. ​

Date: Monday 10 December
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Venue: Downstairs Hall (airconditioned) and playground, Arana Hills Church of Christ, 2 Bringelly Street, Arana Hills.
What to bring: Please bring a small plate to share. 

If you have any other questions about the event, please email info@fbc.org.au. 
​
We hope to see you there. 

Did you hear the good news that the work of FBC is set to continue with the appointment of a new Executive Committee? 🙌🙌🙌
Please join us in welcoming:
Alicia (Secretary)
Lola (Vice President)
Jenna (President), and
Tina (Treasurer) to their roles.
(In order of seating - left to right)
We have also welcomed some new General Committee Members like Deanna (front right) to the team and welcome more members to get involved with FBC activities.
Keep an eye out for our newsletter for the latest news and volunteer opportunities. You can register for our newsletter at  www.fbc.org.au

The Annual General Meeting for Friends of the Birth Centre Association Qld Inc will be held on Saturday 13 October 2018 at 10:30am at the Church of Christ Arana Hills (2 Bringelly St, Arana Hills QLD 4054). 

A special resolution proposing to amend the constitution of FBC will be tabled at the meeting. A brief summary of the changes proposed to the associations rules is set out below: 

The rules are being updated to ensure they can be understood by all members and applied practically. The current rules impose certain compliance obligations that are not required or practical for an organisation of the type and size of FBC. 

The new rules:
(a) change the financial year end date of the organisation to 30 June;  
(b) allow office of a management committee position to be held for an indefinite period of time (rather than the current 3 years); 
(c) reduce the number of members needed to form a quorum for meetings (to allow a meeting to be held with more than 50% of the management committee); 
(d) allow the AGM to be held at any time within 6 months of the financial year end date (rather than within 3 months); and 
(e) more clearly set out the procedures for operation of the association. 

You can view a full copy of the proposed new Constitution here. If you are having trouble opening the link, please email us and we will send a copy to you. 

There are a number of exciting opportunities to get involved with FBC in 2018 so if you are looking for a way to give back, please download the nomination form and join us at the AGM to find out more.

The Agenda for the AGM is as follows: 
1. Update on recent activities and future direction of FBC
2. Summary of accounts and approval of financial statements
2. Appointment of new steering committee 

Please note that only paid up members of the Association are entitled to vote at the AGM. You can become a member here.

If you wish to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf at the meeting, please download the Proxy Form and return it by replying to this email prior to 13 October 2018.

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact info@fbc.org.au. 

For insurance and catering purposes we would appreciate if all attendees could RSVP via the link below. ​

We are so excited to bring this masterclass to the families of Brisbane, jam packed with quality information on the hot topics when preparing for birth and the postpartum period.

What do I need to know about birthing my baby? Is there more I need to know other than the theory and anatomy of labour and birth? What can I do to make my birth a positive and welcoming experience for me, my baby and my family?

Session 1 - Preparing for Labour
Caitlin Dyer (Mother Down Under) a postpartum doula and hypnobirthing educator

• Informed consent
• Using the BRAIN acronym to get information and make decisions with your care providers during pregnancy, labour and postpartum
• writing your birth plan
• How dads can help

Session 2 - Creating a positive birth environment
Janet Purcell (Birthplace) a registered nurse and birth environment expert

• The simple yet effective steps to creating a positive birth environment

Morning Tea

Session 3 - Pain Relief Options
Corinne Mawn - Birth Centre Midwife

• Pain Relief Options in labour
• Hypnobirthing demonstration
• What role dads play

Session 4 - How to care for your postpartum body and mind
Christine Percy (Go Mum! Group Fitness) a pregnancy and postnatal fitness trainer

• Create your own postpartum care plan
• Healing nutrition
• Healing the postpartum body with exercise
• What rest really looks like
• How dads can help

Panel Session

• Ask our panel a question
• Our panel session will include our guest speakers along with a birth centre dad

Light Lunch

Our speakers include:
Caitlin Dyer (Mother Down Under) a postpartum doula and hypnobirthing educator. 
Janet Purcell (Birthplace) a registered nurse and birth environment expert.
Corinne Mawn - Birth Centre Midwife
Christine Percy (Go Mum! Group Fitness) a pregnancy and postnatal fitness trainer.

​

Where:            Arana Hills Church of Christ
                           2 Bringelly Street, Arana Hills
                           Downstairs Hall - look for FBC Banner
When:             Saturday 2 June, 2018.
                           9:30-12:30
Inclusions:     

• Goodies bag
• Lucky door entry
• Handouts and worksheets
• Morning Tea and Light Lunch

Cost:               $20 per person or $30 per couple
Bring:             Chairs are ergonomic but a cushion might be nice for pregnant mums. 
Please advise of any dietary requirements by emailing info@fbc.org.au when booking. 

Our final antenatal information evening for 2017 is on the topic of Child Safety. 
Do you have questions about safe sleeping. Maybe your little one is now on the move and you need to baby proof the house? 

Kidsafe will talk to us about safety in the home, car and out and about. They have pretty much seen it all so come and pick their brains and get their top tips for keeping kids safe. 

The Baby Wearing Practice will also be there to share the advantages of baby wearing as well as show us the safest way to carry our children in a carrier. They will also be able to answer questions on the best type of carrier for your family. 

All attendees receive a free Bao Bag with goodies and info. 
Bring a gold coin donation and enjoy some supper.
Lucky door prizes and a raffle will also take place on the night. 

Thursday 30 November
6:30pm - 8:30pm
​Chermside Library Meeting Rooms

​Our free information evenings continue with the popular topic of Preparing For Birth. 
We have 3 expert guest speakers lined up that will provide practical information on:

• Cheryl Sheriff from Ideal Birth and author of "Stork Talk" will talk about building your support network, and how to achieve your ideal birth in a hospital environment
• Suzanne Swan, Owner of Yogababy and certified Calmbirth Practitioner will talk about natural pain management techniques for labour
• Christine Percy, Head Trainer at Go Mum! Group Fitness will provide an overview of what exercises you can do in pregnancy to help prepare for labour and early motherhood

More reasons why you won't want to miss this free event:

• Every family receives a free Bao Bag containing information and freebies for new parents.
• Pick up discounted tickets for our Mega Mid Year Raffle. Checkout the prizes or buy your online tickets here
• Lucky door prizes
• Delicious supper provided for gold coin donation

RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW
Our mega mid-year raffle is now on! Funds raised will be used to purchase much needed resources for the Birth Centre such as books for the parent library and birthing aids. If you have had a wonderful experience at the Birth Centre or wish to support maternity choices for women, then please support us by purchasing some raffle tickets or becoming a Friend.
​Prizes include:

1. Kate Veronica Photography Package valued at $650
2. Doula Support Package from The Holding Space (Valued at up to $500)
3. Five Classes at Preggi Bellies (Valued at $125)
4. Embella Blossom Nappy Cake (Valued at $54.95)
5. Norwex kids pack (Valued at $51)

Raffle will be drawn at 1:00pm on Monday 19 June 2017. Winner will be notified by phone (if purchased at the PBC Expo/FBC Antenatal Info Night) or email (if purchased online).
GRAB YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS NOW
Please support those businesses that have supported this event:
Go Mum! Group Fitness: www.gomumgroupfitness.com.au
Ideal Birth: www.idealbirth.com.au
Calmbirth Brisbane: http://www.calmbirthbrisbane.com.au/about-suzanne/

Our March Antenatal Info Night is almost booked out (10 spots left). You can still book here ​https://healingmumgrowingbub.eventbrite.com.au.

At each info night we draw a raffle with prizes generously donated by our sponsors. Please support these small  businesses that support FBC. 
​
Our March Info Night Raffle has some great prizes:

1. 6 Group Classes at Go Mum! Group Fitness (Valued at $108)
2. Pregnancy Massage from The Holding Space (Valued at $90)
3. Five Classes at Hush Little Baby Music Classes (Valued at $85)
4. A FunFit Threads Shirt (Valued at $35)

Raffle will be drawn at 8:30pm on Monday 6 March 2017. Winner will be notified by email. ​

We are thrilled to announce that our popular antenatal information series is back for 2017. 

These free information evenings provide advice from expert speakers on topics not covered by hospital antenatal classes. You don't have to be a Birth Centre mum to attend as we want to support as many women and their families as possible during this special time in their lives. 

Here is the schedule for sessions this year. Please note that these dates and topics may change and we will keep you updated via our Facebook Page ,  Closed Group and newsletter so make sure you connect with us! 

Monday 6 March - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Healing Mum, Growing Baby:

• ​What to expect from your body after pregnancy and how to help it heal so you can get back to feeling like you again
• How to introduce solids including the Baby Led Weaning approach and how solids may impact breastfeeding
• Sleep - What's normal, what's not and how to know when to get help

Monday 29 May - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Preparing for Birth:

• Preparing mentally, building your support network, and what to expect at hospital
• Hypnobirthing
• Exercise in pregnancy

YOU CAN BOOK HERE NOW FOR THIS SEMINAR.
Monday 4 September - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Daddycraft:

• Looking after mum, baby and yourself
• One dad shares his experience
• Baby massage

​Monday 13 November - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Safety:

• KidsSafe
• Baby Wearing
• Children's First Aid