Welcome to The Birth Map

There is
No One Way:
The Birth Map helps you find ​Your Way

May the Journey be Yours

The Birth Map Approach to birth preparation is realistic, practical and grounded in science.

What is The Birth Map Approach?

For an overview of The Birth Map Approach, see:

How do I create a Birth Map?

There are two resources, a book and a game, designed to support your birth preparation.

The Book

The book The Birth Map takes you through three steps for birth preparation. Step One takes you beyond the birth, to help you understand your context and prepare for the transition into family life. When you understand your destination, you can better prepare for the journey. Step Two provides Insights into the maternity system and maternal decision making, drawing on the findings of The Birth Map Study. The final step is The Questions, which will prompt meaningful discussion with your care providers and guide your personal research.

The Game

Complementing the book is The Game of Birth. This game has been developed using statistics from the Australian Mother Baby Report to create a realistic hypothetical scenario that explores possibilities and builds an understanding of how pathways flow through labour. The game demonstrates aspects of birth that we cannot control and the options available in various scenarios. It is a safe way to practice your decision making, to identify your knowledge gaps and prompt meaningful discussions.

To view the book and explore basic The Game of Birth, register for free member access:

For physical resources or full member access, use these links:

How can care providers integrate The Birth Map Approach?

Catherine provides lectures and presentations on effective communication, birth mapping and decision making:

• University health and medical Students
• Workplace Professional Development
• Education days
• Conferences
• Seminars/webinars

Birth Cartographer Training is a full day for those birth workers and health professionals looking to enhance communication and support the decision making process with their clients in birth and beyond. This comprehensive training covers:

• How information is processed and can be understood differently for different people
• How decisions are made, and why people draw different conclusions
• How to implement compassionate care, even in a fragmented system
• How to use The Game of Birth to support your clients’ sensemaking