Our midwives offer a variety of antenatal classes and workshops at a range of venues and times.
These classes are very popular and are generally booked up very quickly. If you decide that you would like to attend any classes, we advise you to book them as soon as possible after your antenatal booking appointment.
Please remember that you have a legal entitlement to take reasonable paid time off for all antenatal care, including parentcraft and relaxation classes. This applies no matter how long you have been employed or how many hours you work per week.
To book antenatal classes please contact:
Labour ward tour (St Helier Hospital only)
This is an opportunity for you to take a tour of the labour and maternity wards at St Helier Hospital. The tours take place every Thursday at 6.30pm (and 8.30pm from 12 April 2012).
Please book a place via the antenatal clerical office on 020 8296 2542 or at the antenatal reception desk when you next visit.
On the day you come along, please come to the gynaecology outpatients waiting area situated on the ground floor of the maternity unit.
Home birth workshops
These workshops are an opportunity for anybody interested in having a home birth to attend an informal forum where they can meet mums and dads who have had a home birth, midwives who attend home births and see the equipment that is used.
The workshops are held every two months on alternate hospital sites.
Please ask any of the staff when the next workshop is being held or see the 'home birth' notice board in the antenatal reception waiting area.
Other antenatal classes
Private antenatal workshop
Get expert advice and information on the issues that matter from our private midwifery-lead antenatal class.
Saturday workshop includes:
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signs and stages of labour and when to contact hospital;
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skin to skin and breastfeeding;
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induction and coping mechanisms of labour;
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looking after your newborn;
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postnatal depression and baby blues;
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basic breathing and relaxation methods.
You are welcome to bring your partner or a companion.
There is a cost for these workshops. For more information, please email Patience Ohikhena at Patience.Ohikhena@esth.nhs.uk.
National Childbirth Trust
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is the UK's leading charity for parents and run courses for parents, both before and after birth, led by NCT trained workers. They hold a variety of classes within the local area.
Please see their website for further details.
