Antenatal classes and groups have formed a core part of maternity care for many years and aim to help prepare women and their partners for birth and beyond. The content of such classes is designed to help build confidence in women and expectant partners, empowering them during labour and birth. The antenatal education team in the Trust are here to help empower, support and inform you of what is available.
We are the pioneer Trust to offer virtual Antenatal Education sessions via ZOOM in Northern Ireland.
Our online programme encompasses Antenatal Education topics traditionally included in these types of sessions, strongly underpinned by the ethos of the Solihull Approach. The session content is divided into four classes, covering a range of key topics.
Our online antenatal education programmes continue to run twice weekly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings online.
- Additional workshops in Southern Trust
- Breastfeeding Workshop
- Twins and multiple birth evening.
- Hypnobirthing classes.
- Active Pregnancy physiotherapy
We also encourage families to utilise additional parenting courses and programmes free through the Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland.
2024 Summer Parenting Programmes
Parenting programmes – Aware, Mellow and Solihull online
Contacts
Antenatal Education Coordinator Midwife
17 The Rowans
Craigavon Area Hospital
17 The Rowans Craigavon Area Hospital
g.ready4babyclasses@southerntrust.hscni.net
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What happens in antenatal classes?
Classes are held weekly online during the evening, for around two hours. Birthing partners or friends are welcome to all of the sessions.
There are set classes for if you’re single, a teenager or if English is not your first language. Speak to your midwife about these.
The kinds of topics covered by antenatal classes are:
- Health in pregnancy, including a healthy diet
- Exercises to keep you fit and active during pregnancy
- What happens during labour and birth
- Coping with labour and information about different types of pain relief
- How to help yourself during labour and birth
- Relaxation techniques
- Information about different kinds of birth and interventions, such as forceps or vacuum delivery
- Caring for your baby, including feeding
- Your health after the birth
- Refresher classes for those who’ve already had a baby
- Emotions and feelings during pregnancy, birth and after
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Antenatal Zoom breastfeeding workshop
First Tuesday of the month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Email: g.ready4baby@southerntrust.hscni.net to book a date with your full name, DHH, HCN number (found on your addressograph sticker and zoom name.Instructions on how to use Zoom for antenatal classes can be found by clicking here.
6th August 2024 3rd September 2024 1st October 2024 5th November 2024 3rd December 2024 -
Twins and Multiple Birth evening
Face to face in our Antenatal Education rooms in Maternity Outpatients:
3rd February Daisy Hill Hospital 28th April Craigavon Area Hospital 1st September Daisy Hill Hospital 1st December Craigavon Area Hospital Email: g.ready4babyclasses@southerntrust.hscni.net with any queries
- Hypnobirthing classes
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Active Pregnancy Physiotherapy
The Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service are here to support you through your pregnancy.
They are based at various sites across the Trust and offer advice on management of the minor discomforts of pregnancy including back pain and pelvic girdle pain related to pregnancy.
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Mellow Bumps Online support group
This free confidential virtual support group for 6 to 8 ‘Mum’s-to-be’ will help you relax and get ready for the birth of your baby.
This supportive environment will give you the opportunity to share ideas, talk about how you feel about becoming a parent and address your fears.
We will focus your attention on what your baby can already do and what they will need in the future, share practical information and activities to get you to think about you and your baby.
The next groups:
- Thurs 19th Sept ’24 6.30-8.30pm
- Tues 5th Nov ’24 6.30-8.30pm
Email: Mellow.parenting@southerntrust.hscni.net Find out more. . .
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Walking Bumps
Our Walking Bumps group is an opportunity to meet our antenatal education midwives and other service users to socialise, chat all things bump and baby, and enjoy a gentle walk together.
Everyone welcome including mums-to-be, new mums as well as their partners, family, and well-behaved pets!
Check out the dates below for dates in 2025:
Saturday 29th March
Craigavon Lakes at 10am-12pm
Dungannon Park at 2pm-4pmWednesday 30th April
Newry – Derrymore at 6.30pm-8.30pmSaturday 31st May
Armagh Mall at 10am-12pm
Newry – Derrymore at 2pm-4pmWednesday 30th July
Newry – Derrymore at 6.30pm-8.30pmThursday 31st July
Craigavon Lakes at 6.30pm-8.30 pmSaturday 30th August
Armagh Mall at 10am-12pm
Newry-Derrymore at 2pm-4pmSaturday 29th November
Craigavon Lakes at 10am-12pm
Dungannon Park at 2pm-4pm - Useful links