Canterbury Homebirth Association

The Canterbury Homebirth Association (CHBA), in existence since 1976, is a voluntary organisation that promotes and supports home birth as an alternative to hospital birth. The Association provides support and encouragement to those contemplating home birth and also supports midwives offering home birth in Canterbury.

The backgrounds of our members reflect the diversity of women who choose home birth. Our own personal birth experiences have led us to work together to promote home as a safe and loving environment in which to birth.

The maternity environment in New Zealand has not always been so accepting of birth at home. Our Association, together with other home birth groups in New Zealand, are members of Home Birth Aotearoa which helps protect the right to birth at home through political lobbying.

Our members are consumer participants in the Christchurch Homebirth Midwives information evenings. We also work with the Home Birth Antenatal Classes Trust which runs antenatal classes with a focus on giving skills and information to help women birth at home. Other information is available at the Homebirth Library. The library is open during the opening hours of the Midwifery Resource Centre (376 Manchester Street) and anyone can borrow books and videos (with a requirement that they be returned within a month). ************Please note that as a result of the February 2011 earthquake this building is now unable to be entered. We are working with the Midwifery Resource staff to gain access to our books to make them available again.**************

We also produce Birthplace magazine, which features members’ birth stories and a range of original and relevant articles on parenting and birth choices. A subscription to Birthplace is included in the group’s membership fee. Some of the articles published in previous Birthplace magazines are available here, as are links to other sites and information that may be of interest to those making birthing choices. Members can also share ideas and information on our Facbook page.

The Association also runs a monthly play group so home birth parents can support each other while parenting.

The increase in women choosing to birth in water has meant that finding a birth pool can sometimes be difficult. As a result the Association has two birth pools and pumps, which women are able to hire. The cost of hire also includes a disposable pool liner. For more information on how to hire the birthpool, please click here.

If you would like to participate in some of the association’s activities, and/or receive Birthplace magazine, the membership form is available here, and can also be found in the magazine.

Throughout New Zealand, homebirth associations are sustained by women committed to promoting natural childbirth. If you treasure your home birthing experience and the midwifery care that made it possible, then consider joining with like-minded people to protect and promote home birth.

Last updated 20 July 2011.