Join Rhea Dempsey in conversation with some incredible people in and visiting our community in Melbourne, nationally and online, as we delve into the bowl of birth, before, during and after.

Rhea is a mother of three daughters and five delicious grandchildren, counsellor and child birth educator with over forty years experience. Rhea has extensive experience working with women and families before, during and after birth. Her special interest is in exploring the psychological aspects of birth and the pyscho-social factors which can affect birth outcomes. Rhea is a highly respected and sought after presenter at conferences, seminars and workshops on birth and counselling issues. Rhea also works in private practice running an extensive schedule of classes for couples and groups as well as education and development for midwives and birth attendants.

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Upcoming Sessions - 2026

Stay Tuned for more

Live Replay available until 28/1/26

.. Dr Nicky Leap

Dr Nicky Leap has been a women's health activist since the 1970s. She played a foundational role in the development and implementation of Bachelor of Midwifery Programs in Australian Universities. And also had a leading role in creating practice and education standards for Midwifery in Australia.
Research includes:

• What are the factors that improve how midwives interact with women in the antenatal appointment?
• Collective action for the development of national standards for midwifery education in Australia.
• How domesticity dictates behaviour in the birth space: Lessons for designing birth environments in institutions wanting to promote a positive experience of birth
• Group versus conventional antenatal care for women.
• From social to surgical: historical perspectives on perineal care during labour and birth
• Journey To Confidence: Women'S Experiences Of Pain In Labour And Relational Continuity Of Care
• The role of the midwife in Australia: Views of women and midwives
• Woman-centred or women-centred care: does it matter?
• Identifying the Midwifery Practice Component of Australian Midwifery Education Programs
• The introduction of `direct entry' midwifery courses in Australian universities: Issues, myths and a need for collaboration
• Provision Of Home Births
• ​among many other papers and midwifery chapter writing 

RAISING FUNDS FOR

Past Conversations

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.. Dr Stuart Fischbein

.. Lael Stone
​"Attachment and birth & parenting"

.. Liz Newnham in ADELAIDE
"Pain, power and physiology of labour"

.. Fiona Hallinan
"Preparing for Birth, the do's and don'ts"

.. Belinda Lack
"From Intellect to Instinct" 

.. Jane Hardwick Collins
"Red Threat Birth Trauma"

.. Liz Newnham
"The F*#king Epidural"