Antenatal & 4th Trimester Course

Join us on The Pregnancy Project, a new hybrid antenatal programme which offers nurturing support for your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, before and after birth.

Our Course Includes

Five weeks of in-person expert led talks on topics not commonly covered in traditional birth preparation courses
Two live online sessions during the fourth trimester to support your emotional, mental and physical wellbeing
A closed WhatsApp group for ongoing peer support, with access to a Midwife and IBCLC Lactation Consultant in the run up to the birth, as well as the early postnatal days

Post birth meet-up and social for parents, with on-site baby carrying and sling support
Digital resources curated by our experts to support you through birth and beyond
Discounts and access to further services from our course experts, as well as other local health and wellbeing practitioners
Priority booking for our free, local postnatal support groups once baby has arrived

Book Now For Babies Due August / Early September 2023

Expert Led Evening Talks

Our evening sessions are spread over five weeks and take place in a relaxed setting in the heart of Sydenham, South East London. Each interactive session will be led by an expert specialist, and whilst they share evidence-based information and practical knowledge throughout, sessions will be informal and provide plenty of opportunity for questions and getting to know your new cohort!

The course will cover aspects of labour and birth choices, but also aims to support your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing by keeping you informed about the lesser spoken subjects surrounding pregnancy and early parenthood.

Session 1

Your Birth,

Your

Choices

NHS Midwife Issy Bourton will be leading this session on the choices you have for your birth, and how to ensure these are made with confidence, and are right for you. She will be covering:

• How you are feeling about your birth, how you want to feel, and how to get there.

• Place of birth, pain relief options, and your birth environment.

• What to expect in different birthing scenarios, and making informed decisions.

Session 2

Preparing

To Feed

Your Baby

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Breastfeeding Counsellor Eleanor Campbell will be discussing how to get your feeding journey off to the best start. She will be touching on:

• Exploring your preferences on how you want to feed your baby – whether breast or bottle feeding, or a combination of the two.

• Information about how breastfeeding works, what are the potential hurdles, and where to get support.

• Expectations of life with a baby, and how to know what’s normal and what’s a problem.

Session 3

Postnatal

Planning &

Baby Wearing

Postnatal Doula Amalia Syeda-Aguirre will be covering the steps on how you and your family can be supported through the early, hazy days with a newborn. She will be discussing:

• Why planning for postpartum matters.

• Nourishing your postpartum body, and creating a nurturing home environment.

• Debriefing your birth experience.

In this session, you will also be supported by Babywearing Consultant Bethan Morris, as she covers:

• Various aspects of baby wearing, and whether it’s for you and your baby.

• Carrier types for the early months, and beyond.

• Sling safety and comfort.

Session 4

Preparing For

Birth & Your

Postpartum Body

Women’s Health Physiotherapist Annabelle Fish will take you through how you can prepare yourself and your body leading up to the birth, and the physical changes you can expect after your baby has arrived. Topics she will be covering include:

• Exercises and massage to help reduce/prevent pain, stiffness and tearing in the weeks before, and after delivery.

• Which activities to avoid in the early postpartum days/months, and when you can safely return to your hobbies and sports.

• Signs of diastasis recti or pelvic floor dysfunction, and how to approach recovery.

Session 5

Looking After

Your Perinatal

Mental Health

Perinatal Therapeutic Coach & Mentor Sakina Ballard will be leading this session about the transition from pregnancy to parenthood, and the impact these changes can have on your mental health. She will touch on:

• What is perinatal mental health, and why does it matter.

• Key perinatal mental health conditions, signs to look out for, and what can make us more susceptible.

• Removing stigma and any sense of shame surrounding these conditions.

Online Support

The fourth trimester is a time of great physical and emotional change not just for mother and baby, but for the entire family. Our course continues to support you and your loved ones online once baby arrives, from the comfort of your own home and when it might not be possible to leave your house during those early days.

A live-online session for the birthing person to check-in on how you are holding up physically, mentally and emotionally, through breathwork, mindfulness practice and peer support. This session will be led by the core It Takes A Village, Crystal Palace team.
A live-online session for the birthing partner to gently discuss your mental and emotional wellbeing since the birth. This session will be led by Perinatal Therapeutic Coach & Mentor, Sakina Ballard.

Option to join a closed WhatsApp group from the start of the course, with access to a Midwife in the run up to the birth, and support from an IBCLC Lactation Consultant during the early postnatal days.
Digital resources for each topic covered during our evening sessions, personally curated by our experts, to support you once the course is complete.

Book Now For Babies Due August / Early September 2023

“Fantastic, welcoming and inclusive organisation providing much needed community and support to families.” – Trish