About Kristin Beckedahl |
How BodyWise began…
 I
graduated from Australia’s first 4-year Bachelor of Naturopathy
(Health Science) program at Southern Cross University in 1998.
With an interest in women’s health and fertility, I completed
additional training the following year to specialise in Natural
Fertility Management and Preconception
Care.
For the past 9 years I have worked as a Naturopath,
and my areas of speciality have evolved to include women’s
hormonal health, natural fertility, pregnancy and postnatal care.
I have guided many women over the years to manage their fertility
naturally without recourse to drugs or devices (for conception
or contraception). I am continually impressed with the affinity
herbal medicine has with human physiology, and especially women’s
hormonal health.
I have also worked with some truly wonderful couples to achieve
their goal of becoming parents of a healthy and happy baby. I
find my ‘work’ very rewarding on many levels and couldn’t
really imagine myself doing anything else!
By attending ongoing practitioner education, I remain dedicated
to offer up-to-date, scientifically researched, evidence based
medicine and practise for all my clients.
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| How BirthWise began… Providing
couples with preconception care and overcoming fertility issues
was always a strong focus of my practise. Once couples were happily
pregnant, I would see women 3 or 4 times during pregnancy providing
naturopathic support and nutritional guidance. As time progressed,
I noticed a major discontinuity of care between the last pregnancy
visit and the first visit after baby was born. I also began to notice
the lack of empowering prenatal
education available for these women, and saw an opportunity
to provide a true understanding of informed choice about their pregnancy
and birth experience.
It was here I felt compelled to bridge this gap, and in turn provide
true continuity of care to these women and their partners. I was
drawn to the many aspects of natural childbirth, and education had
always been a strong focus in my naturopathic work. This led me
to the 2-year Post Graduate Diploma in Childbirth Education in 2003.
 Becoming
a mother in 2005 confirmed my commitment to this goal and giving
birth ‘my way’ changed my life’s focus completely.
In 2006, as an Independent Childbirth Educator I established BirthWise
(in addition and as an extension of my naturopathic clinic BodyWise)
in Karratha, in the Pilbara which is in the north west of Western
Australia.
I had seen and experienced firsthand the lack of these essential
holistic services for pregnant women/couples in the region. |
| BodyWise BirthWise provides:
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As an Independent Childbirth Educator, my aim is to enhance the
birth experience for all involved; mother, father, baby and other
support people. To build women’s confidence in the birth process
and their innate power and ability to bring their child into the
world; in their own time, under their own steam and with both feet
(or knees!) on the ground. I believe birth is a family event and
not a medical and technological event. |
| My thoughts on birth…  Birth
is what transforms woman to mother, a couple to a family and a child
to a sibling. It holds great power to shape the entire mothering
experience for women and I believe it needs time, energy, respect,
guidance, love, nurturing and trust.
I truly believe women deserve to birth with a deep sense of satisfaction
and I endeavour to provide the respect and support we all deserve
at this time in our lives. The journey is just as exciting as the
destination!
I continue to challenge the existing culture that promotes birth
as a fearful and stressful experience. I also believe when necessary,
intervention during labour and childbirth may be needed. I aim to
facilitate the empowerment of pregnant couples to take control of
their birthing experience.
The birth reform movement is gaining momentum worldwide and the
fuel lies in informing and empowering women and their partners to
fight for their birthing rights.
I advocate better maternity services to all birthing women of Australia.
I believe if women unite their minds and efforts to share their
skills and resources, changes in the health care system will benefit
all generations.
Read more about the BirthWise approach in ‘Preparing
for Birth & Parenting Course’. |
Professional Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Naturopathy (Health Science), Southern Cross University,
1998
- Advanced Certificate in Natural Fertility Management & Preconception
Health Care,
Francesca Naish & Natural Fertility Management Pty Ltd, 1999
- Graduate Diploma in Childbirth Education, Associates in Childbirth
Education, 2006
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Professional Memberships:
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) - Accredited
Member www.atms.com.au
- National Assoc. of Childbirth Educators (NACE) - Adv. Certified
Educator www.nace.org.au
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Continuing education:
- Holistic Management of Thyroid Disorders and Infertility (Metagenics),
Perth - July 2008
- Breastfeeding Peer Support Training (ABA), Karratha –
June 2008
- Understanding and Managing Women’s Health (Metagenics),
Gold Coast - Feb 2008
- 4th Annual National Doula Conference, Fremantle – October
2007
- Childbirth Education Workshop - 6 days, (Andrea Robertson),
Sydney – Nov 2003
- Active Birth Workshop (Andrea Robertson), Perth – September
2003
- Management of Common Childhood Illnesses (Metagenics), Sydney
– March 2003
- Management of Immune Dysfunction, Carcinogenesis & Obesity
(Metagenics), Jul 2002
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