Service Description

This comprehensive birth preparation course provides expectant parents with knowledge and confidence as they approach their baby's birth, with a better understanding of birth physiology, options for support and what life with a baby might feel like. This two day course allows parents to focus their learning, and gives parents-to-be an opportunity to build connections with others on a similar journey. During Day 1, expectant parents will learn about normal birth physiology and the role of hormones, signs of labour and how it progresses, positions for labour, natural and medicalised induction of labour, assisted birth and options to manage the sensations of labour. The group will also practice 'self-help' methods for managing labour, including breathing, relaxation and massage. During Day 2, participants will discuss Caesarean birth, the third stage of labour (birth of the placenta), the early postnatal period, the 'fourth trimester' and early infant development. Perinatal mental health, breastfeeding and infant sleep will also be explored. The course will close with a 'labour rehearsal' where couples can practice their skills of positions, breathing and massage. This course is designed with expectant parents' needs at the heart of it, as well as those of their baby. As an NCT-trained Antenatal Practitioner, my goal is to create an environment which is inclusive, empathetic and empowering, free from bias and judgement. I am passionate about ensuring teaching remains evidence-based and up to date, while acknowledging that decision-making is individual and personal. I aim to empower parents-to-be in their decisions and equip them with the skills to allow for a positive birth experience. Parents will better understand their own needs during their transition to parenthood and learn how they can better support one another. Finally, I aim to encourage parents to build empathy with their baby, through acknowledging normal infant behaviour, the importance of responsive parenting and how it positively impacts infant development. A contribution of 150 CHF towards the cost of the course will be covered by supplementary insurance through the QualiCert programme. Couples are encouraged to attend this course together. The 10h course takes place online, using Zoom.