Antenatal classes
Maternity: care during pregnancy
Antenatal classes update
All of our antenatal classes and workshops are being run online. There are no face-to-face antenatal classes at St Thomas' Hospital at the moment.
Online video groups run regular daytime, evening and Saturday antenatal classes.
How to book
You can book on the Eventbrite website for day, evening and Saturday antenatal classes.
Once booked we will email you a link to join the online class about 1 week before. You will receive the link again on the week of the class.
Please remember to book a space for your partner too.
We recommend that you open all Eventbrite links in Google Chrome.
Weekday antenatal classes take place every Tuesday from 9.30am to 1.30pm. They also take place on the first Thursday of every month:
- Thursday 9 June
- Thursday 7 July
- Thursday 4 August
- Thursday 1 September
- Thursday 6 October
- Thursday 3 November
- Thursday 1 December
- Thursday 8 December
Sets of evening antenatal classes are split into 2 short classes.
They take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on the 1st 2 Wednesdays of the month or last 2 Thursdays of the month.
Part 1 is about stages of labour and coping methods.
Part 2 is about breastfeeding and 1st days with your baby.
You can book both or only 1. Classes can be booked book on the Eventbrite website.
2022 dates:
- Thursday 19 May (part 1) and Thursday 26 May (part 2)
- Wednesday 1 June (part 1) and Wednesday 8 June (part 2)
- Thursday 23 June (part 1) and Thursday 30 June (part 2)
- Wednesday 6 July (part 1) and Wednesday 13 July (part 2)
- Thursday 21 July (part 1) and Thursday 28 July (part 2)
- Wednesday 3 August (part 1) and Wednesday 10 August (part 2)
- Thursday 18 August (part 1) and Thursday 25 August (part 2)
- Wednesday 7 September (part 1) and Wednesday 14 September (part 2)
- Thursday 22 September (part 1) and Thursday 29 September (part 2)
- Wednesday 5 October (part 1) and Wednesday 12 October (part 2)
- Thursday 20 October (part 1) and Thursday 27 October (part 2)
- Wednesday 2 November (part 1) and Wednesday 9 November (part 2)
- Thursday 17 November (part 1) and Thursday 24 November (part 2)
- Wednesday 7 December (part 1) and Wednesday 14 December (part 2)
- Thursday 22 December (part 1) and Thursday 29 December (part 2)
2022 dates
All Saturday antenatal classes are from 9.30am to 1.30pm:
- Saturday 21 May
- Saturday 18 June
- Saturday 16 July
- Saturday 20 August
- Saturday 17 September
- Saturday 15 October
- Saturday 19 November
- Saturday 17 December
Join one of our anaesthetists for a presentation about pain relief options during labour. This is followed by a question-and-answer session. This class usually takes place on the 1st or 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
You do not need to book, just join the session on the day.
- Tuesday 7 June, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 5 July, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 2 August, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 6 September, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 4 October, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 1 November, join on Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 6 December, join on Microsoft Teams
You can attend our online twins or multiple pregnancies antenatal classes from 28 weeks of pregnancy. There is no need to book a place, just drop in.
- Wednesday 8 June, 9.30am to 12.30pm, join on Microsoft Teams
- Wednesday 20 July, 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Wednesday 31 August, 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Wednesday 12 October, 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Wednesday 23 November, 9.30am to 12.30pm
For more information, please email [email protected].
Please remember to also book a place on the regular antenatal classes on the Eventbrite website.
These classes are temporarily cancelled due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
There are 2 different physiotherapy antenatal classes. Both are informal and fun.
The aim is to:
- improve your ability to manage any back or pelvic pain during pregnancy
- educate about the importance of pelvic floor muscle exercises
The classes run on alternate Mondays from 10am to midday. They take place in the antenatal education room at the antenatal clinic, St Thomas' Hospital.
You don't need to have back or pelvic pain to attend. All pregnant women are welcome. You only need to attend these classes once.
Back and pelvic pain class
The class includes a talk and chair-based exercise session led by a specialist physiotherapist.
The talk will cover the changes to your body during pregnancy and how this can cause muscle and joint pain. You'll learn:
- the knowledge and skills to manage or prevent back and pelvic pain at home
- how to recognise the signs that mean you should see a pelvic health physiotherapist
If you are experiencing severe back and pelvic pain, you are still welcome to attend. Please also ask for a referral to the pelvic health physiotherapy department from your midwife, obstetrician or GP.
You should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for exercise.
Pelvic floor class
This class covers pelvic floor muscle training during pregnancy and beyond. The aim is to prevent common pelvic floor problems after the delivery of your baby.
It includes a talk about what pelvic floor muscles are, how they work and the effect on them from pregnancy and delivery.
You'll learn:
- how pelvic floor muscle training can help different pelvic floor problems
- how to do pelvic floor muscle training
- when to start exercising following the delivery of your baby
- the signs that mean you should see a pelvic health physiotherapist
If you are experiencing pelvic floor problems, you can still attend the class. Please also ask for a referral to the pelvic health physiotherapy department and named obstetrician.
How to book
Please email [email protected] to book your place.
If you have any questions, please call 020 7188 5084 for further guidance.
These classes are temporarily cancelled due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our birth interventions sessions explain the process of induction and why a birth may need to be assisted with a ventouse (suction cup) or forceps.
Join us on Microsoft teams for a presentation followed by a question and answer session. You do not need to book, just join the session on the date