Birth isn’t just the arrival of a baby. It’s a turning point, one of the most profound journeys a woman and her family will ever take.
That’s the belief behind Calmbirth® , a program that has supported more than 65,000 couples to step into parenthood with less fear and more confidence. What began right here in the Southern Highlands has grown into a movement embraced by midwives, caregivers, and families across Australia, and even beyond.
And the best part? Calmbirth® is still very much a family story.
Where It All Began
The seeds of Calmbirth® were planted when Peter Jackson, a midwife and registered nurse moved to the Highlands with his wife and daughters in the 1980s.
Peter then spent over 25 years as a midwife at Bowral Hospital where he often witnessed mothers approaching birth with fear, anxiety, and trauma. He knew this wasn’t how nature intended it. Peter believed birth could be empowering and even joyful if couples had the right preparation.
Drawing on his background in general, mental health, and midwifery nursing, along with training in Private Subconscious Mind Therapy, Peter developed Calmbirth®. The program blends science, psychology, and mindfulness to help mothers and their partners rediscover their innate birth power, reduce fear, and restore trust in the natural process of labour.
What Makes Calmbirth® a Transformative Childbirth Program
At its heart, Calmbirth® helps parents-to-be trust their bodies, quiet their fears, and feel supported every step of the way. Birth isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, psychological, and deeply personal. With the right preparation, couples can work with the process instead of against it, turning worry into calm and uncertainty into trust.
The Role of Partners in Calmbirth® Classes
This program isn’t just for mums. Partners play a huge role, too. The class gives them the confidence to be active, supportive, and calm, whether that’s through hands-on comfort, advocating in the birthing room, or simply being a steady presence when it’s needed most.
Many couples say the program didn’t just prepare them for birth. It brought them closer together.
Supporting Physiological Birth with Calmbirth®
Calmbirth® supports physiological birth, working with the body’s natural design and creating the right conditions for it to unfold. That doesn’t mean rejecting medical support when it’s needed. Instead, it’s about parents feeling informed, prepared, and confident in every scenario.
Think of it as teamwork. Baby moves into the world, mum creates the space, partner and caregivers hold the space, and when everyone plays their part, birth can be powerful, positive, and even joyful! Which all births should be.
The Weekend Experience in the Southern Highlands
Today, Peter’s legacy is carried forward by his daughter, Karen McClay, also a practicing Midwife, who runs the Calmbirth® classes at the Calmbirth Centre in Mittagong. The centre is a warm, welcoming space where couples can truly relax, connect, and focus. Karen combines her passion for birth education and midwifery with genuine care, making every couple feel supported and at ease.
Over a full weekend, parents-to-be immerse themselves in a transformative program combining practical tools, mindset strategies, and the science of birth. Couples learn breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques while gaining a clear understanding of how the body works during labour.
This is the perfect pause from the busyness of life, a chance to connect deeply with your partner, and an opportunity to step into the experience of birth together.
With the beauty of the Highlands as the backdrop, we think it’s the perfect baby-moon retreat! Can you get any better?!
Why Expecting Couples Should Choose Calmbirth®
If you want to step into parenthood feeling prepared, empowered, and deeply connected, a Calmbirth® weekend is your opportunity. Spend quality time with your partner, learn practical tools and mindset strategies, and gain confidence in your birth choices.
Southern Highlands Calmbirth® is currently offering a special incentive for couples booking early. You’ll score $100 off your weekend course! Think of it as a little extra splurge on baby gear before your little one arrives. Click here to learn more.
To view upcoming course dates, learn more about the Calmbirth® program, or get in touch with the team, head here to find all the details and reserve your spot.
We’re so lucky to have such a wonderful support right here in the Highlands, carrying forward Peter Jackson’s incredible work and legacy. His passion for empowering parents and transforming birth experiences continues to touch families across the region and beyond.