Our Vision
Whole Birth's vision is that every woman would know and live in their value and dignity, and have a positive and empowering pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.Our Mission
Whole Birth provides up to date evidence-based education and support for women, that enables them to have an empowering pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. We aim to reduce the prevalence of childbirth related fear by educating women and their partners on effective tools and strategies to use during labour and birth. We educate and train women and their partners how to advocate for their choices and preferences, in imperfect health systems.
Our Values
Whole Birth believes in the value of women and their right to timely healthcare and and the highest attainable level of health.
We value women having and exercising the following rights to:
the right to information
access up-to-date research
informed consent and refusal
respect for choices and preferences
confidentiality
privacy
dignity and respect
personal autonomy
We value women and their families knowing how to self-advocate for their choices.
Karina Dodd
Founder, Director
Hi, I’m Karina.
When I was pregnant and gave birth to my son, I thought I was ready for everything that would happen in labour and birth. It shocked me that my labour became very long and difficult, and I ended up having two epidurals (the first one failed), a spinal block, a forceps birth (where my baby had to be assisted to birth), a postpartum haemorrhage, an episiotomy and a third degree tear (ouch!).
In the midst of it all happening I felt the power that I thought I had, be taken away as the doctors in the room made me feel small and silly for speaking up.
My second labour and birth went very differently. I had prepared differently this time, and felt confident in my ability to birth despite my previous trauma.
I went into labour during the second week of covid lockdown in 2020. Despite the uncertainty in the world around me, I felt strong and able, and I birthed my baby girl into a peaceful and powerful moment at home.
Having experienced both a traumatic birth, and a beautiful empowering birth, I realised that I wanted every woman to know that she could have this.
I am a Registered Nurse and a midwife, having trained and worked at major Sydney teaching hospitals, as well as smaller, regional hospitals. I have been at the births of hundreds of babies, and assisted even more women in the early days of motherhood. I also have a Master of International Public Health (USyd) and believe it is my role to educate and empower women with health education.
On the weekends you can find me playing with my kids, drinking coffee, or having fun at church!
I am so excited to offer Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth classes 100% online, so that no matter where in Australia you are, you can access this amazing education.