This presentation is part of the RCSI MyHealth Lecture Series and was held at RCSI on 26th October 2016.
In this lecture, Hazel Cazzini, Clinical Midwife Manager speaks on “Common Postnatal Challenges”.

About 

My name is Hazel Cazzini and I am an Irish registered and qualified Midwife since 1996.  I have worked in all areas of maternity care and  have cared for many women during their pregnancy, labour and postnatal periods. I currently work as a Midwife Tutor. 

I have been involved in antenatal education for many years and in January 2004 I set up the “complete one-day antenatal class”. In 2009, I qualified as a pregnancy yoga instructor and I am confident that this training greatly benefits the women attending my courses. 
 
I believe in continued personal and professional development and I completed a Masters in Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin in 2013. I regularly attend workshops on the subject of antenatal education, one of which was the International Confederation of Midwives Conference in Prague in 2014.  In 2020, I qualified as a hypnobirthing instructor which compliments my pregnancy yoga teaching and my antenatal education classes.

My classes are guided by the National Standards for Antenatal Education  (published in 2020), and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information, delivered in interactive sessions in small groups to facilitate learning in a relaxed and practical manner. 

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Testimonials

Please see the following feedback comments I have received from some of my recent clients:
August 2024
We heard about this class from the Evie Clinic and we can honestly say that we feel this class was excellent value for money and exceeded our expectations. The content, pace, interaction within the group were pitched perfectly. Hazel has a wealth of experience, a relaxed facilitation style and provides evidenced based information in a factual an unbiased way. We now feel very prepared for the journey ahead and are looking forward to meeting our baby. Thank you. Carmel & Sean

January 2024
“ Excellent course, learned so much in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. I feel so much more informed about what to expect. Many thanks”. Laura 

​October 2023
Brillant course, dispelled so many myths and misinformation. Really practical and I feel less anxious about everything now. Great education for the birth partner. Celine & David

October 2023
Really enjoyed the class! Super informative and made an overwhelming amount of information digestable and interesting. Deneige

August 2023
Excellent class. Exceeded my expectations. Hazel kept it interactive and the content was right on point. Very informative and we learnt a lot - Thank you! Laura
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June 2023
This was a very comprehensive course. We really appreciated that Hazel got the group to help set the agenda so all our needs were met. Hazel is very knowledgeable and engaging with a friendly and approachable manner. This was a great learning experience. Nikki 

June 2023
This was a truly informative, relaxed and engaging seminar. We feel so much more prepared for birth and parenthood. Hazel provided a welcoming environment that was conducive learning and promoted discussion. The day was well laid out and perfectly balanced between birth and parenting topics.  

June 2023
We enjoyed the whole day. Great structure/format. Very informative with a perfect amount of breaks. We feel way more confident leaving than when we arrived. Thank you. James 

March 2023
We heard about this class from the Evie Clinic and we can honestly say that we feel this class was excellent value for money and exceeded our expectations. The content, pace, interaction within the group were pitched perfectly. Hazel has a wealth of experience, a relaxed facilitation style and provides evidenced based information in a factual an unbiased way. We now feel very prepared for the journey ahead and are looking forward to meeting our baby. Thank you. Carmel & Sean

September 2022
We attended the group antenatal class in the Talbot hotel in Stillorgan in September. This was a well delivered, personalised and parent-centered class. Hazel encouraged the group to help set the agenda for the day so that all the topics we wished to cover were included. This is a very informative and practical course. Hazel is very clear, knowledgeable and approachable and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you. Sarah and John

August 2022
I met Hazel as the yoga teacher for pregnancy yoga classes that my friend and I started attending in Dundrum. She was much better than the other yoga teachers we had had, as she is also a highly experienced midwife and midwife tutor, and she brought this knowledge to the classes. 
I soon discovered that Hazel also provides private ante-natal classes, which my husband and I decided to book, as the hospital ones are still only online. Hazel came to our house for a private session after being so accommodating with rescheduling dates due to us getting covid when were originally meant to have the class.
Hazels ante-natal class was for 3 hours in our home. She brought all of the equipment that she would be talking about too. She didn’t just explain things, she demonstrated everything in a practical way. She covered every imaginable topic and really put our minds at ease. I also really valued that Hazel is very research based in what she says - no nonsense or assumptions, she knows her stuff and has the evidence to back it up. She prepared us for everything, from getting prepared, to approaching labour, to knowing what to do and when, to pain management, delivery, after care, going home, and the initial few weeks of caring for the baby. Nothing was left out and she answered all of our questions. A really valuable part was that she included my husband all the way through so he knew his tasks and roles at each stage throughout. We both felt so much more at ease afterwards. We know what to do to prepare, what to look out for etc. and what is ahead of us at the hospital, so it is much less daunting. We are much more confident and ready to have our first wee one! 
Thanks a million Hazel.
Jessica and Gerard 
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June 2022
"Karl & I chose an in-person private class in our home. It was great to have the opportunity to do an evening class as weekends are busy for us. Hazel is very personable and knowledgeable - her years of experience are evident. The course content was perfect for us and we loved the opportunity to practice nappy change etc. I would highly recommend Hazels classes". Kate
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May 2022
"we were so delighted to find an in-person class as we did not want an eight hour zoom session. Hazel is an excellent presenter,  her style is relaxed and friendly and encourages questions, with no judgement on personal choices. I came to the course with minimal knowledge and left with a lot. This is a very comprehensive course and, in my opinion, very good value for money"  Robert & Anita

January 2022
"Hazel provided an 'in person' one-to-one class for us as the group class had to be cancelled due to the Omicron COVID variant. Thank you so much, this was a really useful three hours - lots of practical information presented in a practical, clear and down to earth fashion. We also appreciated the fact that Hazel took an antigen test and wore a mask for our protection - a true professional" Emily and Patrick.

September 2020 Private One - to- One Class
'Hazel is a warm and welcoming Midwife with tons of experience.  She gave an excellent personalised class. 
As first time parents we picked up a good few bits of new information, especially around breastfeeding and bathing. Demonstrations were great. We also received notes and useful list of resources that we could look over in our own time.There was lots of time for asking questions and we felt very comfortable with Hazel" Mary & Paul. 

13th June 2020 Online class
"We felt the class worked really well through Zoom - not at all that different than in person - Hazel is very personable! The small class size was great for interaction. The structure and information covered was exactly what was needed and we both found it very beneficial- Thank you "- Avril & Austin
 
21st March 2020 Online class
“Thanks for the class on Saturday, we both really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I thought Zoom worked really well and we didn't have any issues at all with it”.

“Thank you so much for the class last Saturday. My husband and I learned so much. We found the content of the course very useful and relevant. It was also a very open and supportive environment which made us more comfortable in asking questions. The materials you provided are going to be very useful as a reference point in the future. The demonstrations with the bath and nappy changing were particularly useful which was amazing given that you were doing the class virtually.”​

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November 2019
"I think this was a fantastic, well rounded, informative day. Hazel was flexible and welcoming to any questions or queries from the group. Nothing was overly biased, the emphasis was more on informing people so they can make their own decisions. The course is practical and well grounded and helped build confidence, rather than scare-mongering. Thank you". Antoinette
August 2019
"Hazel was very bubbly, interactive and informative. Lots of practical demonstration and advice. Thanks for everything" Cathy & Brian

May 2019
“ Excellent course, learned so much in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. I feel so much more informed about what to expect. Many thanks”. Tony 

​April    2019
"The course was very informative & really well presented. The atmosphere/tone of the class was relaxed but focused. It was easy to ask questions and discussion was encouraged. A very positive experience".  Laura

January 2019
"Very useful session, Hazel was very knowledgeable and great educator, she was very straightforward in her approach" Nichola and  Ruari
​September 2018
"Excellent presentation and teaching skills. Exceptional knowledge'' . Scott & Trish
"It was a relaxed but very informative and well presented day - Thank you" .Holly & Niall

March   2018
" Really enjoyed the relaxed fun and open atmosphere. Hazel is willing to address all questions and reinforced this in a natural process. No judgement on personal choices" Teresa  & Darragh.
March   2018
'This is a really well delivered course, Lots of helpful tips. I would strongly recommend to others' Neil & Michelle

October  2017
" This is an excellent course, very comprehensive and relevant topics covered. The delivery of the material is very interactive with helpful demonstrations. Lots of helpful tips- I would definitely recommend it" Neasa 

August 2017
"We enjoyed the positive emphasis on birth, (as in, birth is mostly a natural, do-able process). At the same time we felt Hazel gave us an honest account of our potential journey through birth and realistic expectations of the challenges ahead. At the end of the day we feel informed and equipped with many tips to assist us during birth and parenthood. Thank you!" Mary and Paul 
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June 2017
Please see the blog below written by a recent antenatal class attendee.
https://diaryofdionysus.com/2017/06/19/what-to-expect-from-a-one-day-ante-natal-class/

June 2017
​"Excellent course and excellent presenter." David
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June 2017
"Really enjoyed the day. Condensed everything, informative but casual and great for people with busy lives to get so much info in one day." Jenny and Gry
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March  2017
"Thoroughly enjoyed the day, lots of information presented in a relaxed atmosphere. We really enjoyed meeting other couples and can't believe how quickly the day passed!  We feel much more at ease and prepared for our journey through birth and parenting"  Emer and John

November 2016
" This was a Brilliant Course. Very informative and enjoyable. We feel much more at ease now. Thank you. Dearbhail and Graham"

April  2016
"Hazel, Thank you for a great antenatal class and pregnancy yoga sessions, the sessions were very informative, fun and practical. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy 2 weeks ago and your breathing and movement advice was invaluable. The antenatal class information has been put into practice and we talk about it on a daily basis!!!  Thanks again for everything, We would recommend your classes to any expecting parents " Lucy and Colm.

January 2016
“Very practical unbiased information given in an open and friendly manner. Group exercises encouraged good mixing and socialising between participants. We really enjoyed the day".   Mary and Seamus.

September 2015
“Very well thought out course. Many different methods of delivery were used: group work, flip charts, videos, discussions- this kept our attention levels up.  Hazel is very open and approachable. An excellent day—Very polished.  Thank you.  Sheila”.


March 2013
" Hazel, Thank you for a great day, the sessions were very informative and very well explained. The class atmosphere was so relaxed and this encouraged interaction and humour! The day went by so quickly and we enjoyed the variety of topics and presentation style ; power point, flip chart, video and practical demonstration of bathing the baby. We feel both reassured and informed and look forward to meeting our baby soon! Thanks again, I would recommend this class to any first time parent 2 be ". Deirdre & Sean.

October 2012
"We both found Hazel to be extremely approachable and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the day and feel a lot calmer and more prepared for the big event" Nicola & Rodney

July 2012
"The course was informative and conducted in a manner which made us feel relaxed and comfortable to ask questions. Plenty of practical information backed up with theory. The day went by so quickly and we loved the wide variety of topics and your use of many different teaching aids - powerpoint, flipchart, video, group discussion. Thank you" Caroline
 
March 2011
We felt the day has been hugely beneficial. Great variety in presentation: group work, demonstration, video, discussion. Hazel has a very approachable manner and the delivery of the course information  was realistic in a non patronising/ dramatic way. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and are more confident about the coming weeks_ Thank you”. Sinead and Robert

March 2009
“We have 15 maternity books, we felt all the important information was compressed into one day and made interesting too!  We enjoyed the whole day, it was a pleasure to participate in your class.   Diana and Antony”.

January 2009
“ The class was presented in a friendly informative manner. We consider it to be an excellent source of information especially for first time parents !  Paul and Anne”.

September 2008
“The class was relaxed and extremely informative, especially for first time parents. Hazel made everyone feel comfortable with plenty of opportunity to ask questions. We feel much better prepared now. Thank you. Anne ”.

June 2008
“We found the amount of information, its presentation and delivery very,very Professional.  Finbarr and Nancy"


March 2008
“Hazel is a talented, energetic presenter, with lots of knowledge delivered in an interesting, informal way. We really enjoyed the course “