Birth Zone, the pre-natal specialists here in the UAE, have two exciting launches to report. Firstly they are inviting pregnant women and their partners to come and view a wonderful film about birth in the comfort and luxury of the Anantara Resort and Spa, on The Palm, Jumeirah. Attendees will be given the opportunity to meet other pregnant women and fathers-to-be, over a casual drink and nibbles.

The screening takes places between 2pm – 6pm on 6th September 2014 and costs just $29. Guests will also be able to take advantage of the pregnancy, birth and parenting specialist panel, who will be at the event to answer any questions.

If you’d like to win free tickets to the screening, Birth Zone is running a competition at Baby Bazaar. Simply go to their stand at Times Square on 30th August between 9am-2pm to enter. Visit www.babybazaar.org to find out more.

Birth Zone is also launching their first retreat on September 18th 2014, at the Anantara Resort and Spa. The retreat packages can include accommodation, meals, educational seminars by local specialists, antenatal exercise classes each day, a pampering mother-to-be, massage, a birth ball, yoga mat and gift bag.

The seminars will be full of information delivered by birth and parenting specialists, and will cover topics such as Breastfeeding, Birth Physiology, Relaxation Techniques, Birth and Parenting Choices.

Talking about the concept, Victoria Keenan, Managing Director, Birth Zone said; “Knowledge about their own bodies gives women the confidence to make their own informed decisions, so that their care providers can do things ‘for’ them, rather than ‘to’ them. Women are all too often left dissatisfied with their first birth experience, which motivates them to prepare more fully and advocate for themselves the second time around.

My intention with Birth Zone is to create stand-alone events and retreats that provide in depth information, which may not be easily available elsewhere. I want to connect newcomers to the UAE and long term residents who are becoming parents for the first time, to the wealth of skills and resources that are available here. Being far from friends and family can make this transition tough, but as the saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child”; I want to help people find their village.”

When asked about the film-screening event, Keenan continued, “The media portrays birth as being a scary and dangerous event. The Birth Zone film-screening event (on September 6th) is a great opportunity for people to see another side to birth. Rather than coming away afraid, people will be introduced to the idea that birth is something that they can be actively involved in, rather than needing to be saved from it. The birth specialist Q&A panel will welcome questions and share their compelling passion for birth!”

The three-day retreat starts with 2 days of women only groups, followed by the final day (Saturday) where birth partners and husbands are welcomed to join in, for information specifically tailored around their supportive role.

A non-residential day pass ticket is just $1099 and a fully inclusive package with meals and accommodation starts at $1799, making it great value for money. Upgrade packages and discounts for sharing a room are available. For more information or to book your place at the film screening and the retreat visit www.birthzone.ae or email info@birthzone.ae