This page explains the education workshops we offer to women being cared for by our midwifery team.
About the workshops
We offer a variety of workshops to help you both during and after your pregnancy. You can come to all of the workshops or just choose the ones that you are interested in. Your birth supporting partner or other relative/friend is welcome to attend the workshops with you.
Where are the workshops held?
Currently most antenatal classes, also known as workshops, are held at the Antenatal Education Room within the Antenatal Clinic at St Thomas Hospital, North Wing, 8th floor. Some caseload teams also run classes in the community, and Aylesbury Health Centre has their own antenatal classes run by their health visitors. If you are not sure, please ask your midwife.
How can I book a workshop?
From June 2017 there would be no need to book antenatal classes. You can just drop in to any of the workshops you are interested in. Antenatal classes are intended for women between 32-34 weeks of pregnancy, but women pregnant with twins can attend a bit earlier from 28 weeks, as well as twin classes. Please be aware that you need to bring your scans reports with you and that, due to capacity reasons, you may be turn away if you are below or above this gestation rage.
We also ask you to please be on time. Doors would be closed 15 MINUTES after starting time and late comers would not be allow in.
If you have any difficulty speaking or understanding English we can arrange classes in your language by asking your midwife or contacting antenataleducation@gstt.nhs.uk.
Workshops
Find out what workshops are available and when.
Classes have changed from November 2017. Please make sure you have the latest dates.
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Evening antenatal classes
New evening antenatal classes are starting in October 2017.
Two consecutive Wednesdays a month, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. These classes are drop-in and there is no need to book.
Find out more information about the classes and 2017 dates (Word 56Kb) and 2018 dates (Word 38Kb).
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Labour, breastfeeding and parenting workshops
Our 'Labour, breastfeeding and parenting whole day session' workshop can be attended as a whole day session, or if you prefer, you can simply attend one or two parts of the course.
| Name of workshop | Frequency and times | Parts of the course and what they cover |
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Labour, breastfeeding and parenting whole day session
2017 dates (Word 56Kb)
2018 dates (Word 41Kb)
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Drop-in workshops. Usually held on a Tuesday, with occasional Thursday classes, 9.15am until 5pm.
These classes no longer include a tour - please see our virtual tour of our maternity unit.
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Labour
(usually held on a Tuesday, 9.15am-12 noon)
Breastfeeding
(usually held on a Tuesday, 12.45-3pm)
- Your baby’s needs
- Positioning and attachment of your baby at the breast
- Expressing and storing milk
- Where to get help and support
Parenting
(usually held on a Tuesday, 3.15-5pm)
- Responding Parenting: Bonding and stimulating
- Practical Parenting
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Short afternoon
labour and breastfeeding/
parenting workshops
2017 dates (Word 44Kb)
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Drop-in workshops. Two consecutive Wednesday afternoons a month |
- Labour
- Breastfeeding/parenting
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Other workshops
| Name of workshop | Frequency and times | What it covers |
|---|
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Physiotherapy antenatal class
This is a workshop for women only.
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Last two Wednesdays of the month 6-8pm. The class is held at the Education room within the Antenatal clinic.
This is on the 8th floor of the North (Green) Wing.
Please bring your Antenatal book.
Ideal time to attend is between 12 and 30 weeks of your pregnancy.
How to book
Contact the physiotherapist directly on 020 7188 5084 Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm.
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A physiotherapist runs the workshop and offers advice about:
- safe exercise in pregnancy
- pelvic floor muscle exercises
- care of your back and pelvis
- returning to fitness after birth
- optimal foetal positioning and Perineal massage
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Multiple pregnancies
2017 dates for twins classes (Word 139Kb)
2018 dates for twins classes (Word 141Kb)
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Drop-in workshops. One Monday a month, 9am-12 noon.
Ideal time to attend isetween 24 and 32 weeks of your pregnancy.
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We can usually arrange a visit to the neonatal unit during the workshop. |
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Talk on pain relief by one of our anaesthetists
2017 dates of pain relief in labour talks (Word 135Kb)
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Drop-in workshop held once a month on Tuesdays, 5-6pm. |
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Home birth workshop
2017 dates of home birth workshops (Word 174Kb)
2018 dates of home birth workshops (219Kb)
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Drop-in workshop held once a month on Fridays, 6pm-8pm. |
Information is given by community midwives about birthing at home. |
| Online education from NHS Choices |
Pregnancy information available on the NHS Choices website |
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| Virtual tour of our maternity unit |
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The virtual tour video includes photographs of access to hospital, labour rooms, birthing pool, garden room, operating theatre and postnatal areas. |