Choice, Challenges and Diversity
New Zealand College of Midwives 10th Biennial National Conference
Friday 12 September – Sunday 14 September 2008
SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre Grand Hotel
Media release
11 September 2008
TummyTalk launched by Petra
Television personality Petra Bagust will be launching the marketing campaign of the TummyTalk magazine at the New
Zealand College of Midwives conference on Friday September 12.
TummyTalk celebrates pregnancy, childbirth and the first hours after birth and demonstrates, through women’s stories,
that childbirth can be an amazing, empowering and joyful experience.
Petra Bagust says she has been inspired by the magazine and was one of the best tools she had during her pregnancy.
“TummyTalk is right kind of brain food for mothers who are about to give birth. It was one of the best tools I was given
in my preparation for childbirth. I'd like to see every New Zealand mum to be with a copy in her hands.
“The magazine is inspiring, encouraging and empowering. Full of the real life experiences of kiwi women who have given
birth and are willing to tell their unique stories.
First produced in 2005, TummyTalk does not present birth as all “sweetness and light”. The magazine acknowledges the
realities of childbirth – the pain, the hard work, the possibility of complications and the potential for medical
intervention. By focusing on the positives, and thereby reducing the fear, good outcomes become more likely. If women
are fully informed and feel part of the decision-making process, even a difficult birth can be an empowering experience.
TummyTalk has been published by Active Birth Taranaki since 2005. Active Birth Taranaki is a group of parents who
promote, support and celebrate active birth at home or in a maternity facility and want to foster confidence in the
woman’s ability to give birth naturally.
When Tummy Talk came to the attention of the New Zealand College of Midwives they decided to assist Active Birth
Taranaki with publishing the magazine. All the members of the College received a free copy and now many midwives are
buying extra copies to give out to women.
Copies of TummyTalk are available for purchase by telephoning 03 377 2485 or emailing mmpo@nzcom.org.nz.
ends