Pregnancy Support Classes
Antenatal and Postnatal Classes
The Portland Hospital offers a range of services for you during your pregnancy,
Classes are available at convenient times – from once a week evening classes, through Saturday workshops to one-to-one sessions at times to suit your individual needs. The classes are presented by our expert parent craft midwives.
You can book to attend our classes regardless of whether you are having your baby with us or at another hospital.
Please see below for information about our Antenatal and Postnatal classes:
| Early Pregnancy Class (2 hour class) | This class is for mothers/parents to be up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Advice on topics including diet, body changes, exercise, complementary therapies and maternity care are discussed along with a tour of The Portland Hospital. |
| Birth and Beyond Antenatal Class (2 hour class per week) |
A four week couples or women's only course with a postnatal reunion. This course
prepares mothers/parents-to-be for the birth of their baby as well as life after
birth. Topics covered include:
|
| Birth and Beyond Japanese Antenatal Class (2.5 hour class per week) | Content is the same as the class above with a Japanese interpreter. |
| One Day Childbirth Preparation Class (6 hour workshop) | This is a one day workshop for those that cannot attend the 4 weekly course. The workshop will cover signs of labour, stages of labour, natural coping strategies, pain relief, when plans change, and infant feeding. |
| Refresher Session (2 hour class) | This is a private tailor made two hour session for mother/ parents-to-be expecting their second or subsequent baby. This session will update and refresh knowledge on breathing, pain relief, positi ons in labour, when plans change and relaxation techniques. Available by appointment only. |
| Active Birth Class (2 hour class) | This class aims to empower couples with the knowledge and coping strategies to achieve a natural birth (particularly waterbirth). |
| Hypnobirthing Course (4 hour class) | The Hypnobirthing workshop is a 4 hour course for women and their birth partners. This course empowers you with the deep relaxation/self hypnosis techniques to help you achieve a fearfree birth, thus reducing pain perception and enabling you to achieve a natural birth without medication. Please note that you must have already attended the Active Birth Class prior to the Hypnobirthing Course. |
| Breastfeeding Class (2 hour class) | The aim of this two hour session is to help develop parents' confidence when feeding their babies. This session will cover the physiology of milk production as well as positioning and attachment to facilitate good breastfeeding. It includes the benefits of skin to skin contact with your baby, watching feeding cues, baby led feeding and establishing routines. We will teach you how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, how to manage common breastfeeding problems (e.g. engorgement) and answer any other questions. |
| Twin Breastfeeding Class (2 hour class) | This class will cover all the topics outlined in the breastf eeding class. In addition it also covers strategies to help you develop an adequate milk supply, and how to tandem nurse your babies. It also includes information about how to develop a routine so helping you to enjoy caring for 2 babies. |
| Baby Basics Class (1 hour class) | A one-to-one session for parents-to-be or new parents allowing them the time to discuss any concerns they may have about, or during, the early days of parenthood. The session is run by one of our parent craft midwives and covers a range of topics including help with breast feeding and practical demonstrations of bathing and changing. |
| Postnatal Mother and Baby Group (2 hour class per week) | Four group sessions designed for new mothers. This course provides an opportunity to meet other new mothers, share ideas and learn from each other's experiences. This will include baby massage which encourages interaction, stimulation, relaxation and relief for baby and will help to improve the bond between parent and baby. |
| Baby First Aid (2.5 hour class) |
This class is available for parents and/or carers to attend before or after the
birth of your baby. The class includes:
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For further information about timings and prices and to book classes please contact our Maternity Services Advisor on 020 7390 6068.
A printable version of the Classes and Therapies flyer can be found here.
*Please note that all classes are to be paid for in advance. Refunds are available if cancelled more than 7 days prior to class start date.
