There are perinatal educational programmes for expectant parents to help you to prepare for birth and the transition to parenthood. Classes usually start around 28 weeks and cover topics like your baby’s development, your own health, the birth and caring for your baby.
If you live in Blackpool visit our Baby Steps page to find out more: Baby Steps :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
If you live in Fylde or Wyre visit Bump, Birth and Beyond to find out more: » Bump, Birth and Beyond.
You can also speak to your midwife for more information about the classes.
There is also a tour of the maternity unit at Blackpool, you can book on this via your midwife.
What is the Real Birth Digital Programme?
The Real Birth Digital Programme is a birth preparation course like no other. You will be guided through explanation and videos that show the amazing changes that take place for you and your baby as you give birth. You will learn about the different options and choices you can make in many birth situations, too. There are also massage and breathing techniques for you to practice.
Understanding more about your body in labour helps you to make informed choices which can reduce stress and empower you during your birth.
This course is free to access.
It is available in English, Welsh, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Sorani-Kurdish, Urdu, Tamil and Arabic. It also has accessibility features, video content and audio guides in all languages.
It is 12 hours of content and includes breathing and massage techniques.
You can access your course through your Badger Notes App (from 24 weeks onwards Parent Education Link) , via a QR Code provided by your Midwife, or you can access the course Real Birth Digital Programme here.
What is covered in the Real Birth Programme?
There are 14 modules:
- Feelings and thoughts around birth
- Beginning at the end
- Second stage of labour
- The pelvis and labour
- Perineal health
- Positions for labour and birth
- How the uterus works in labour
- Practical birthing skills
- Giving birth by caesarean
- Home birth
- Induction of labour
- Creating awareness about giving birth early
- Giving birth to your baby early
You are also able to personalise your workshop include:
- Teenage pregnancy
- Fasting in pregnancy
- Type 1 Diabetes or GDM
- Low PAPP-A
- FGM (female circumcision)#
- Vaginismus
- Obstetric Cholestasis
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- Sickle Cell Anaemia
- Twin pregnancy
