Gabrielle Targett

Gabrielle Targett is the author of Labour of Love - An Australian Guide to Natural Childbirth. Her 20 year journey as an educator began when she finished her B.A. in Physical Education. She taught Secondary Physical and Health education for many years, followed by lecturing at TAFE in Health and Fitness. Gabrielle was driven to provide additional non-medical support and education to pregnant women after noticing a need in the way women were being negatively educated about birth, fearful about experiencing labour and birth and being lead towards a fully medical approach. This, along with her own three amazing labours and water births motivated Gabrielle to achieve many further qualifications in order to assist women mentally, physically and emotionally to feel good about their impending labour. Since then Gabrielle has educated and trained thousands of women and their support partners through her empowering and informative independent Childbirth Education workshops and has so far had the privilege of attending over 450 births as a Doula (professional birth support person).

However, besides having three beautiful babies in the water in 1995, 1997 and 1999, Gabrielle’s greatest achievement has been writing her childbirth education books A Labour of Love I & II, to inspire and empower women and their support partners in preparation for their labour journey together.

Gabrielle’s versatility as an educator, author and Doula means she is sought after for her expertise.

Gabrielle trains other women to be Doulas with course details available on this website. She has been writing for the Australian Pregnancy and Birth Magazine as an expert consultant for the past five years in the areas of health and fitness, childbirth education, hypnosis and Doula education. Gabrielle presents at lectures, conferences and public speaking engagements about birth. “I feel so honored that I have had the opportunity to present at birth related conferences throughout Australia for many years now”.  As quoted by Dr Sarah Buckley “Gabrielle’s outstanding ability to speak publicly with honesty, humour and passion makes her a sought after presenter and a person who has much to offer both other professionals and the pregnant women she comes into contact with”.

Gabrielle is a trained Hypnobirthing® practitioner with an advanced certification in hypnosis. For many years she has facilitated group, couples and one-on-one sessions to teach the skills of Hypnosis for use in labour. Gabrielle has produced two studio recorded CD’s which are available through this website or as an Mp3 download. Most of Gabrielle’s hypnosis work involves one on one sessions with women wanting to debrief, clear past birth traumas and prepare for labour by reducing fear.

If that wasn’t enough, for her entire career Gabrielle has also instructed Deepwater, Hydro and Toning Specific Pregnancy Aqua-fitness classes in Perth, Western Australia and is a registered Fitness Leader with Fitness Australia (25 years). Gabrielle runs two popular weekly classes at Oceanic Waterbabies in Success, Western Australia.

Gabrielle also offers pregnancy specific massage, post birth massage and specializes in induction massage for women who are trying to get into labour naturally. Gabrielle is trained and certified in a number of techniques and offers a wonderful combination resulting in a relaxing experience for both Mum and bub.