Active Birth Workshops

Prepare your body for birth, and encourage natural labour

What is an Active Birth workshop?

Discover the importance of upright positioning and movement during pregnancy and labour to improve your chances of a vaginal birth.


Learn simple positional and traditional rebozo techniques that will help your partner support you during labour.

Whether you’ve already done antenatal classes, had another baby, or just beginning your journey, this workshop offers powerful techniques that are often excluded from other courses…

Movement is key…

Think back to the last time you saw labour or birth on TV: I’m guessing it was in a hospital with the person sitting or lying on a bed. This is all too common, and doesn’t reflect the full capabilities of our bodies. In fact, upright, instinctive movement during labour is linked to better outcomes and a more positive birth experience.

  • → Shorter labours
    → Lower chance of instrumental or C-section birth
    → Reduced pain and need for medical pain relief
    → Improved maternal and partner satisfaction

A great addition to other antenatal courses in Leeds

Some courses mention the benefits of upright positioning in labour, but clients are left without the understanding of how to make this happen, particularly in a medicalised hospital environment. As a practising NHS midwife fully trained in biomechanics for birth, I pride myself in being able to offer a realistic approach to this and give you the tools to incorporate these techniques in your labour, wherever the setting.

Promoting physiological birth

Preparing for a vaginal birth can start in pregnancy: regular light exercise, stretching and yoga can aid in reducing pelvic girdle pain and improve circulation.

The workshop covers how biomechanical techniques can be used in your pregnancy to reduce the need for induction and promote a more natural birth.

Research from 2024 showed a three-fold increase in spontaneous labour before 41 weeks for those who had used these tools in pregnancy with an overall reduction in induction from 42.8% to 27.8%. The people who did go on to have their labour induced had a lower chance of C-section than those who didn’t use these tools.

What’s covered on the course?

Knowledge of how the pelvis moves and baby’s journey through it

Rebozo: using traditional Mexican scarves to release tension, create space and relieve discomfort in pregnancy and labour

Interactive 2hr workshop with take-home resources and refreshments

Biomechanics for birth: creating balance and alignment in the pelvis to aid your baby’s journey

Partner support: giving your birth partner the confidence that they need to support and advocate for you during labour, instead of feeling useless or scared!

Ready to discover what your body is capable of?

Join a workshop in your third trimester and start building a toolbox for labour preparation.

Active Birth Workshop

2 hour interactive workshop

£35 per partnership


Includes refreshments and take-home resources.

Check availability now

“It was particularly beneficial for my husband who now feels he can be helpful and make constructive suggestions to help us. There are no stupid questions with Leah which I love!”

Eve, first baby born at Pinderfields Birth Centre

“The course was incredibly informative, not just for me but also for my partner. After having an amazing and successful birth, I can see how much my partner learned and how he guided me through many of the positions we practiced in class. It made such a difference.”

Sinead, homebirth after C-section in Leeds

“I attended Leah’s class with my partner and found it incredibly insightful. A fantastic course which has made me feel more confident in how to support my partner through pregnancy and throughout labour.”

Adeeb, Headingley

Read more of my 5 star reviews on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about Active Birth Workshops

Biomechanics is the study of movement; when we apply this to birth, it includes the understanding of how the anatomy of the pelvis functions during pregnancy, labour and birth, as well as how to optimise your baby’s position prior to labour and recognise and manage stalls in labour. Collectively, this knowledge and practical skills improve chances of spontaneous physiological birth.

If I had a pound for every time I was asked this question, I wouldn’t need to work another day! Whilst there are positions that can help regulate contractions or create space for baby to move or reduce your risk of perineal tearing, there is no one best position for labour or birth: movement (and productive rest) is key. My Active Birth workshop is designed to give you all the knowledge and ideas for labour positions so you can access them more instinctively during labour, meaning you can stay in your zone, rather than having to engage your ‘thinking brain’.

If this is your first baby and you want a comprehensive course that covers everything you need to know to feel prepared and empowered for birth and beyond, my full antenatal course is the one for you. Including hypnobirthing and infant first aid and led by me, a current practising Leeds midwife, the course runs over a 5 week period (or full weekend for some courses) and has an accompanying WhatsApp support group. Second and subsequent parents-to-be have found the course useful as well, particularly if they have had a previous negative experience of birth or have moved to Leeds from another area.

If you’ve already booked another antenatal course (perhaps online), and are looking for a little bit extra, or you’ve had a baby before and don’t need the postnatal info, you could consider an Active Birth Workshop .These offer something extra to traditional antenatal courses and provide useful tools to optimise baby’s position and encourage natural, spontaneous labour.

Another option is my Pregnancy Relaxation Course: designed for those who wish to discover hypnobirthing and share space with other pregnant people, this short course doesn’t include any postnatal aspects and instead focuses on strengthening the mind-body connection in readiness for birth. Ideal addition to a traditional antenatal class in Leeds or as a refresher for those who have birthed before and want to explore a different approach.

Still feeling a bit lost? Send me a message and we can work out what’s right for you.

Rebozos are traditional Mexican scarves and in South America they are used for so many daily tasks: decoration, tablecloths, curtains, as well as babywearing, and supporting labour & the postnatal period. Whilst you can use most pieces of fabric, such as towels, bedsheets and some scarves, if you wish to buy a rebozo, please do so from ReadyToBirth on Etsy – they are bought directly from those who make them in Mexico, ensuring fairness and sustainability.

Antenatal wards and delivery suites at both LGI and St James’ have birth balls, as well as on the Lotus Suite, and are often available to use during induction or active labour. However, in busier times, they may all be in use so it is worthwhile bringing yours and leaving in the car if you think you’d like to use it during labour.

Want to ask a question?

Get in touch to ask me anything about active birth workshops or any of my other courses!

Contact Leah

Latest birth stories

Hayley’s Home Birth Story

A pregnant woman receives support from family during a home birth, creating an intimate and caring atmosphere.

There’s no place like home: discover home birth in leeds

Essential Guide To Waterbirth

home water birth in Leeds with birth pool and fairy lights

Emily’s Birth story (LMU)

water birth use during home birth in Leeds

Emily’s Birth Story (LGI)

A tender moment capturing a newborn foot in warm adult hands, symbolizing love and care.

Amy’s Birth Story