Duration: 2 Sessions, 3 hours each.

These classes are aimed for first time parents, or parents who want to know about labour, birth and postnatal care.

Classes are 6 hours each with time for lunch. Questions are welcome and it is advised to attend both classes, bring some snacks and wear comfortable clothing.

Partners are welcome to attend.

Week 1 • Class 1

• Recognising labour: Signs & early coping
• When to head to hospital
• Pain relief options
  • Pharmacological
  • Non-pharmacological
• Movement & positions for labour & birth
• Partner’s role in supporting labour
• Phases of birth:
  • Vaginal birth
  • Birth of the placenta
• Skin-to-skin bonding immediately after birth

Week 2 • Class 2

• Assisted births & C-section
• Common interventions (e.g. induction)
• Postnatal care & recovery
  • Physical healing
  • Emotional wellbeing & postnatal depression
• Adapting to parenthood
• Infant mental health basics
• Baby care fundamentals (nappy changes, swaddling, settling)

Week 1:

• Signs of labour & early coping
• When to come to hospital
• Fetal movement monitoring
• Pain relief (pharma & non-pharma)
• Movement & positions
• Partner’s role
• Vaginal birth & placenta birth
• Skin-to-skin & vitamin K
• Initial post-birth care on labour ward

Week 2:

• Fetal monitoring methods in labour
• Assisted births: vacuum, forceps, episiotomy
• Perineal tears & massage techniques
• Elective vs emergency C-section
• Writing your birth preferences (B.R.A.I.N. acronym)
• Induction of labour
• Post-C-section care
• Perineal & breast care
• Transition to parenthood

Week 3

• Maternal mental health: PND & “baby blues”
• Infant feeding: breastfeeding & safe formula prep
• Bottle feeding techniques & winding
• Tummy time, cord care & temperature regulation
• Dressing your baby & vitamin D
• Safe sleep & car safety
• Public health schedule: GP visits, immunisations, heel test
• Child benefit & registering your baby

Duration: 2 weeks (2 hours each)

What to bring: A birthing ball, water and a snack, and a cushion (if preferable)

Week 1 | Class 1

• Preparing in pregnancy
• Encouraging spontaneous onset of labour
• Signs of labour
• Coping in early labour,
• When to come to hospital,
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief
• Movement and positions for labour & birth
• Role of partner
• Vaginal birth
• Birth of the placenta,
• Skin to skin.

Week 2 | Class 2

• Domino normal care and access of same
• Postnatal care & recovery
• Postnatal depression
• Adapting to parenthood
• Baby cares.

Duration: 2 weeks (2 hours each)

Class 1 | Week 1

• Preparing in pregnancy

• Encouraging onset of spontaneous labour

• Signs of labour

• Coping in early labour

• When to come to hospital

• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief

• Movement and positions for labour & birth

• Role of your partner

• Vaginal birth

• Birth of the placenta

• Skin to skin.

Class 2 | Week 2

• Interventions
• Induction and stages of labour
• Postnatal care & recovery.

The interactive classes cover the following topics:

• The Importance of Breastfeeding
• Attachment and positioning
• How Breastfeeding works
• Issues that may affect the latch
• Skin-to-Skin
• How to know all is going well
• Recognising when baby needs to feed
• How can partners give practical support
• Hand Expressing Colostrum
•  Community Support