Birth preparation: workshops and private sessions for pregnant women and their birth partners

What will giving birth be like? Until you've experienced it, it's almost impossible to imagine; but you can prepare yourself, by ensuring you have all the information and support you need to feel confident, and to make choices that are right for you. Our workshops and private one-to-one sessions cover the following – but can also be tailored to specific needs:

  • What happens at each stage of labour
  • Helpful positions for labour and the principles of active birth
  • The hormones of birth and how to get the best from your birthing body
  • The mind/body connection and preparing psychologically for birth
  • How your birth partner can best support you in labour, both emotionally and practically
  • Self-help pain relief, breathing, relaxation and massage
  • Addressing fears and anxieties around birth
  • Bringing awareness to the baby in labour and finding out what it means to be a baby advocate

Dates, times and prices vary; please see further details below. Your birth partner may be your spouse, partner or close friend or relative. Booking essential for all workshops; private sessions bookable by appointment.

Workshops

Birmingham

Louise Bennett 07966 848 505 or 01384 441 713 louise@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Next dates: please contact for forthcoming workshop dates; private sessions by appointment (£80 per couple).

Bristol

Jessica Adams 0117 966 9324 or 07818 407 796 jessica@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Next dates: Saturday 10 December, 10am-3.30pm (exact times TBC), £40 per person/£75 per couple; private sessions by appointment (£80 per couple). Venue: Comfortable home environment in Southville, South Bristol.

Anne Felmingham 07817 433 517 anne@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Next date: Saturday 20 August 2-5pm, £25 per person/£45 per couple. Venue: Redland House Clinics, 118 Redland Road, Redland BS6 6QT.

Sarah Lambert 0117 382 7042 or 07851 739 334 sarah@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Sunday 19 February 2012 1.00pm - 4.30pm, Venue: Bristol Zen Dojo, 91-93 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AT. private sessions by appointment £80 per couple.

Ly Malnick 07843 377 718 or 0117 923 2223 ly@relaxedbirthandparenting.com www.lymalnick.info. Dates: please contact for forthcoming daytime and evening workshop dates; private sessions by appointment (£80 per couple).

Dominique Sakoilsky 07969 204 763 dom@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Next dates: 12 November (£40 per person, £80 per couple); private sessions £45 per small group/couple or one-to-one bookable by appointment. Venue: Cairns Road Clinic, 26 Cairns Road, Bristol BS6 7TY.

Portishead

Tamsyn Grant 07793 315 642 or 01275 846882 tamsyn@relaxedbirthandparenting.com. Next dates: please contact for forthcoming half-day workshop dates (£30 per person); 2hr private evening sessions, content to be agreed according to needs of the couple (£40 per couple). Venue: workshops – comfortable home venue in Portishead; private sessions – in the couple's own home.