For the first hour and a half we practise yoga, breathing and relaxation, concentrating on those aspects relevant to pregnancy, labour and birth. Yoga has a particularly positive effect on the stresses and strains that sometimes come with pregnancy. Backache, constipation, indigestion, tiredness and many other complaints are relieved, and sometimes removed, through our practice. The way you learn to breathe in the classes is extremely helpful for labour, as it helps you to concentrate and leads to relaxation.
This is followed by the equally important
1/2 hour ‘teatime’ which we use as a
discussion forum and social time. This is a when we are able to discuss an issue
surrounding childbirth that is of particular interest to the group, for example:
pain relief, benefits of water birth, position of the baby, etcetera. Often one of
the group who has recently given
birth comes to visit us with her baby (and sometimes her partner) to tell us her
birth story and how she is coping with being a mum. In this way you get to hear
many birth stories and see how different birth and parenthood can be for each of
us. We also learn a great deal about birth and early motherhood from the recent
experiences of friends in the class (the real experts!)Ante natal classes give women the confidence to listen to their bodies instincts, and renew their trust in their own ability to give birth. Women who have attended say that they felt far more confident and relaxed about going into labour than they did before coming to the classes.
Most women start attending between 20 - 28 weeks (although you can start earlier) and continue until the birth of their baby.
If you want to register for the classes, please scroll down the page and click on the 'BOOKINGS' button.
PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP AT THE CLASSES BEFORE YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU.
Class times:
