OUR MISSION
The Birth Sling was lovingly created for Birthing Mamas and Birth Workers as a way to encourage upright and active birth no matter where you chose to birth.
Upright labour positioning is associated with quicker labour times, a decrease in the rate of intervention and a 25% decrease in primary caesarean rate (Gams, et al 2019)​
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The Birth Sling, which has been coined “a game changer for active birth positioning” is a birthing tool created by Osteopath, birth worker and new mum Jess Michaels.
“It was something I initially created to use for our own birth in May 2021. I then realised the huge potential and benefit of having a product like this available to labouring women and decided to go for it and get the product manufactured!! In just a few months since The Birth Sling’s first official launch in February 2022 it has been purchased by pregnant mothers and birth workers in more than 12 different countries around the world. It amazes me to think that The Birth Sling has reached and impacted women and families across the globe and that it has helped those pursuing active and natural birth options. Women have used tools such as ropes, hammocks, and slings to assist them in labour for centuries, this really is just a new and convenient take on these ancient and intuitive methods used by our ancestors. Upright and active labour can have massive benefits for Mother and baby. Emerging research is showing that it is associated with reduced rate of intervention such as C-section”.
THE FOUNDER
Dr Jess Michaels Osteopath & Birth Worker
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Dr Jessica Michaels is an Osteopath, Birth Doula, Birth Educator, a Mum and founder of The Birth Sling by Dr Jess Michaels, based on the Coffs Coast.
Jess graduated from Southern Cross University with a Clinical Science degree and a Master of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017. She has continued her professional development by training as a Birth Doula and a Birth educator and has also attended numerous additional short courses centred around treating and supporting women throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.
As an Osteopath Jess has always had a special interest in treating and supporting women through pregnancy, birth and beyond, but never more so than after the birth of her own daughter Koa in 2021. Preparing for her own birth was such a special and important time for her and her partner – not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Experiencing this special season of life first-hand solidified her desire to provide the support she knows to be so important to other women and she centres her practice around this field.
Jess is passionate about educating new Mums on the importance of creating and maintaining balance within the pregnant body and how to encourage it with simple lifestyle changes and gentle exercises. She believes that combining this with a wholistic understanding of physiological birth is the optimal way to facilitate an incredible birth experience. She also loves treating babies and children and provides support for new mums experiencing breastfeeding difficulty.
When Jess provides Osteopathic treatment or supports a birthing woman as a Doula she works closely with her clients own innate body wisdom and sees her role simply to provide support to allow the body's own healing and birthing mechanisms to flourish.
Prior to studying Osteopathy Jess travelled the world as a professional dancer.
