Antenatal classes reimagined for
“Really enjoyed attending Emily’s antenatal sessions; she is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly with a huge amount of resources (physical and digital) to hand, and the sessions were delivered in a really warming & calming environment (with snacks!)”
I would like to attend classes in:
We are a fully insured, independent antenatal company in Cheltenham with a personal touch. We deliver in-person antenatal classes in Cheltenham & the Cotswolds.
I would like to attend classes in:
Trusted by over 100+ happy parents:
“Invaluable Antenatal Classes”
“From clueless to confident in 4 sessions!”
“We couldn’t recommend Emily highly enough”
Over 90 reviews on Trustpilot and Google
Get prepared for parenthood
Friendly and affordable antenatal classes in Cheltenham
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We provide In-person Antenatal Classes:
Our classes are perfect for all parents-to-be, with a variety of options from a four week evening antenatal course covering all the essentials of pregnancy, birth and beyond to a private 1:1 course.
- All classes include a complimentary Online Breastfeeding Course, Online Paediatric First Aid Course and introduction to Hypnobirthing. We want to empower as many families in their journey through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
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Check-ins and SMS support
We offer personalised 1:1 check-ins and SMS support, ensuring you’re never alone on your journey to parenthood. These regular check-ins allow us to address your unique needs and provide immediate answers to your questions.
Emily, our lead educator is here to give you the confidence and peace of mind you deserve, every step of the way.
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24/7 Antenatal education library and videos
Gain access to our extensive antenatal education library and videos, curated to support you throughout your pregnancy journey. Our collection includes the following video series: Early Pregnancy, Introduction to Hypnobirthing and helpful videos on a range of topics from pregnancy to postpartum care.
Available 24/7, these resources ensure you have the information you need, whenever you need it.
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Building lasting friendships
Many parents attend our classes are from Cheltenham, from areas such as Bishops Cleeve, Charlton Kings, Prestbury, Montpellier, Up Hatherley, Whaddon and Leckhampton. Parents also join us from the surrounding areas including Tewkesbury, Gloucester and even from Cotswold villages such as Broadway!
We encourage our graduates to bond over family-friendly activities like playing in Pittville Park or swimming at the open air Sandford Lido, and especially doing baby classes in the future together. We want our parents and children to build lasting friendships along the way.
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In-person Antenatal Classes
We are a fully insured, independent antenatal company in Cheltenham with a personal touch. Our antenatal classes are perfect for all parents-to-be, with a variety of options from a four week evening antenatal course covering all the essentials of pregnancy, birth and beyond to a private 1:1 course.
All classes include a complimentary Online Breastfeeding Course, Online Paediatric First Aid Course and introduction to Hypnobirthing. We want to empower as many families in their journey through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
We are a qualified antenatal FEDANT educator: 13486 -
1:1 Check-ins and SMS support
We offer personalised 1:1 check-ins and SMS support, ensuring you’re never alone on your journey to parenthood. These regular check-ins allow us to address your unique needs and provide immediate answers to your questions.
Emily, our lead educator is here to give you the confidence and peace of mind you deserve, every step of the way.
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Access to antenatal resource library and videos
Gain access to our extensive antenatal education library and videos, curated to support you throughout your pregnancy journey. Our collection includes the following video series: Early Pregnancy, Introduction to Hypnobirthing and helpful videos on a range of topics from pregnancy to postpartum care.
Available 24/7, these resources ensure you have the information you need, whenever you need it.
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Connecting Cheltenham Parents
Many parents who attend our antenatal classes are from Cheltenham, from areas such as Bishops Cleeve, Charlton Kings, Prestbury, Montpellier, Up Hatherley, Whaddon and Leckhampton. Parents also join us from the surrounding areas including Tewkesbury, Gloucester and even from Cotswold villages such as Broadway!
We encourage our graduates to bond over family-friendly activities like strolling through Pittville Park or swimming at Sandford Lido, and especially doing baby classes in the future together. We want our parents and children to build lasting friendships along the way.
Up to
10 couples
Meet
Once /week
For
4 weeks
Hear what our parents have to say
Emily was so wonderful and supportive. Myself and my boyfriend felt like we came away from the experience so much more prepared. As an anxious over-thinker, Emily put my mind at ease. The space was so calm and welcoming. Emily made me feel confident and excited for birth and to be a mum (also, my boyfriend loved the snacks).
What happens in an antenatal course?
Week One:
Lead Up to Labour
Preparing for the Big Day
Explore the fascinating world of hormones and how they signal the start of labour. Learn about the different ways labour might begin and understand the stages of the labour process. We’ll cover birth preferences and making informed decisions, ensuring you feel empowered every step of the way. You’ll also find out what happens with longer pregnancies and the induction process.
Week Two:
Birth and Support in Birth
Creating a Positive Birth Experience
Learn all about creating an optimal birth environment and discover various positions for labour to enhance comfort and progress. Understand the options for pain management, and learn how your birth partner can support you and advocate for your needs. This week also covers assisted births and caesarean sections, ensuring you are well-prepared for any scenario.
Week Three:
Early Days and Feeding
Nurturing the Newborn
Learn all about skin-to-skin contact and the golden hour right after birth alongside the medical checks and vitamin B offered after birth. Understand the concept of the fourth trimester and how to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby. We’ll also guide you through the essentials of feeding, whether you choose breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, formula feeding, expressing or all of the above.
Week Four:
Fourth Trimester and Looking After You
Embracing Parenthood and Self-Care
Focus on the critical fourth trimester, easing into parenting with practical tips and support. Learn about feeding routines and strategies for the early days. Prioritise your physical recovery and emotional adjustment, with insights on where to find practical support. Most importantly, we’ll discuss looking after your mental health, ensuring you navigate this transformative period with care and support.
When should I attend an antenatal class?
“around 30 to 32 weeks pregnant”
Most antenatal classes start around 8 to 10 weeks before your babies due date, when you’re around 30 to 32 weeks pregnant, this is when we recommend you start your four-week antenatal course with us. But some people join earlier, some join later – it’s entirely up to you.
Where are the classes held & FAQs
Our courses currently run at The Old Chapel in Gotherington and George Moore Community Centre in Bourton-on-the-Water. Both venues have full use of a kitchen, toilet amenities and plenty of street and car parking; it is a comfortable and welcoming spaces for our parents-to-be. Keep an eye on our website for other locations coming up soon.
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What does the 4-week antenatal course cover?
Over the four evenings or weekend dates, we’ll cover everything from;
- Hormones
- How labour might begin
- How birth works
- The labour process
- Birth environment
- Positions for labour
- Pain management
- Longer pregnancies and informed decision making
- Massage, breathing and relaxation
- Birth partner support and being an advocate
- Assisted births and caesarean births
- Skin-to-skin, feeding and the fourth trimester
- Safe sleeping, baby care, the early days and easing into parenting
- Physical recovery, emotional adjustment and practical support
- Looking after your mental health
All within a comfortable, safe and totally non-judgemental environment. You will have the course tutors number and be able to contact them at any point during and the first couple of months post-birth, just some extra support and reassurance should you need it at any point.
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How big are the antenatal classes?
Classes are limited to 8 couples per class, we don’t let the classes become too big as this often means you don’t get the most out of the class and we don’t want you to feel supported as a small group.
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Is your group antenatal classes different from NCT classes in Cheltenham?
NCT classes are midwife led antenatal classes, and have been popular since the 1950s. In fact, many believe antenatal classes are NCT classes! We have worked with NCT and NHS course leaders and we can’t recommend them enough to new parents, but our sessions are relaxed and a lot more personal and more importantly, we don’t do this in our spare time.
We are here to support your:
- personal birth plan
- help you what to expect from labour
- guidance for a great birth experience
- support before and after you go into hospital (early postnatal period)
and always one call or text message away 🙂
Our classes also include introduction to breastfeeding and Hypnobirthing and baby first aid and at no extra cost. Plus, our prices start at £156, compared to NCT’s £269 (July 2024).
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Do you run an antenatal class near me in Gloucester?
Yes, we currently run our antenatal classes near Gloucester in a village called Gotherington, near Cheltenham and in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. Both locations are perfect for people to travel from Gloucester, Stroud and within the Cotswolds.
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What if I can’t make it to a session?
We will do our best to catch up with you before the next session, or arrange for you to come a little early to the next session for a 1-1 catch up, we will also send you any materials you might have missed.
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Do I need to bring anything?
Whatever will make you most comfortable, a birthing ball if that’s what’s most comfortable for you to sit on, a bean bag, a sleeping bag….anything! Sometimes pregnancy can make us a little uncomfortable, so whatever makes you feel more at ease or lessens any discomfort you might be feeling.
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Will there be a social element?
Yes! There’s plenty of time to get to know the others in your group and we will set up a whatsapp group so you can all support each other from pregnancy to birth and beyond! We also have a reunion session that is completely an informal and social event when your little ones are around one month old.
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Will my partner be welcome?
Of course! We pride ourselves on ensuring that birth partners, in whatever capacity, are welcome; we ensure that they are included in the course and are involved in each session, they are an important part of pregnancy, birth and beyond and we ensure that they get as much out of the sessions as the birthing people.