You can contact Catherine if you’d like to arrange an intensive near you.
FURTHER DETAILS for
Birth Cartographer® in-person training with Catherine Bell
Discover the ways of The Birth Cartographer, and develop practical tools to create an environment that leads to informed, supported and confident birthing. This revolutionary approach to birth preparation is so stunningly simple to implement yet extraordinarily powerful. This comprehensive training is for those birth workers and health professionals looking to enhance communication and support the decision making process with their clients in birth and beyond. Using the three tenets, you will develop a deeper understanding of:
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- How information is processed and can be understood differently for different people
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- How decisions are made, and why people draw different conclusions
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- How to implement compassionate care, even in a fragmented system
- How to use The Game of Birth to support your clients sensemaking
During the intensive, we will explore the importance of language, discover The Game of Birth and develop our skills to facilitate communication and support maternal decision making in maternity care. Dr Catherine Bell is a pioneering Australian advocate, author, researcher, and community leader whose work has transformed how families navigate pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. As the creator of The Birth Map and the field of Birth Cartography, she has introduced a new paradigm in maternity care—one that centres on informed decision making, consent, and autonomy. Her work is evidence-based, community-driven, and infused with a healthy dose of wit. Bell’s contributions extend beyond birth. She is also a founding force behind Tender Funerals Canberra Region, a not-for-profit that brings dignity, affordability, and community back into end-of-life care. Whether at the beginning or end of life, Catherine Bell is committed to ensuring people are informed, supported, and respected.
Registering for in person training also includes access to the online master class. You will be awarded a certificate of completion, which will be emailed to you after the training day, along with details of how you can make the most of your training. 
AMY –
Catherine provides a warm, welcoming environment to learn the ins and outs of birth cartography. Her explanations were animated, engaging and clear. I cannot wait to use this with my clients!
Marian Piper –
Catherine provides a different approach to birth preparation through the Birth Map. As a midwife I recommend the learning program Catherine offers to empower, engage and facilitate women during their pregnancy and birth. Thank you for a wonderful day of sharing knowledge and exploring The Birth Map to enhance my practice and benefit women in their birthing journey.
Lily –
Catherine!! I just wanted to send a huge thank you for your wonderful training. I have gotten so much out of your work, and so much more confidence in helping families plan for their birth, their way. It’s completely transformed my doula sessions.
AND the fast Birth pathway… wow it works. The beautiful young couple that I had started working with just as I did your training, the ones I mentioned whose ‘eyes started to light up’ about decision making and ‘ doing it differently’ to the stories they heard, they LOVED birth mapping. And guess what, they had a precipitous birth with their FIRST baby!! Baby born under 3 hours of first ‘ niggle’ I even MISSED IT. No typical flow of labour, and all I could think of was your “ wow it’s a nice day to have a baby” story 😂 They were absolutely thrilled with their experience, and said it was the best experience ever “ holy shit… FAST BIRTH PATHWAY” the dad said.
Meredith –
I did the full day online birth mapping course and it was run really well by Catherine. She weaves interesting and thought provoking analogies throughout the training that helped me connect the dots. Some fascinating elements that I wouldn’t have thought of in the birth world and overall a really helpful training to be able to offer to my clients
Amber Baumberger –
I completed the full day online birth mapping course with Catherine. I found the course incredibly beneficial for understanding the birth map and how to use it. I found Catherine’s style engaging and I enjoyed the personal stories that were told along the way.
I am working with my first birth mapping client at the moment who has said so far the information has been invaluable. Learning the choices she can make has removed the fear for her. I look forward to being able to help many more women. Thanks Catherine.
Courtney (verified owner) –
Highly, highly recommend! Catherine is naturally inviting and provides a space that feels safe from the moment you step into it. I especially love the real life stories, the humour where it was appreciated, and the rawness of the harder conversations. This course is engaging, immersive, informative and well thought out, with seamless flow between topics. You’re not only investing in yourself as a birth worker but the whānau/families you’re working alongside. Thanks for having us ✨
Melissa Smith (verified owner) –
This training was amazing! I cannot wait to bring this into my offerings for birth trauma support.
Getting to meet Catherine in person while she was here in NZ was definitely an added bonus. It was so great to be able to ask questions and share stories to reflect our local area.
This course I highly reccomend for ALL birth workers.