Antenatal Classes
Our Antenatal Classes are suitable for around 29 weeks and birth partners are very welcome. The classes are friendly and informative and a great way to learn more about your options during labour and the postnatal period. They are all run by NHS midwives who work in Gloucestershire and include lots of time for questions.
To book onto our Antenatal Education Classes, please speak to your community midwife.
| Week 1: Labour | Week 2: Birth | Week 3: Feeding Your Baby | Week 4: Life with Your Baby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signs of labour | Looking after your body in pregnancy | Pros and Cons of Breast and Bottle Feeding | Responsive parenting |
| Birth environment | Giving birth - water and land birth | How to feed effectively | Sleeping patterns |
| Early labour and established labour | Assisted birth | Signs of a well fed baby | Safe sleeping |
| Coping with pain | Caesarean birth | Feeding patterns | Coping with a crying baby |
| Induction | The placenta | Your emotional wellbeing | |
| Where to have your baby | Skin to skin and bonding with your baby |
Find out about our Pelvic Health classes
Short information films
We've set up a playlist of short films providing you and your partner with some information on your pregnancy, birth and the early days with your baby.
View playlist here
Support groups, online resources and apps
Home-Start UK
Home-Start Gloucestershire’s trained volunteers help to support families with young children through their toughest times by visiting them once a week in their homes. They also offer the following support groups:
Antenatal groups covering a range of subjects, such as bonding with your unborn baby, emotions during pregnancy, and baby development in the womb.
Postnatal groups for parents with babies up to six months old, focusing on topics like supporting early relationships and development, sleep, and first aid.
Perinatal mental health peer-to-peer groups, offering reassurance and support to mothers who are impacted by their mental health.
Home-Start Stroud and Gloucester https://homestartsd.org/
Home-Start Cotswolds https://home-start-cotswolds.org.uk/
Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire https://homestartnwglos.org.uk/