Antenatal Education

Bonding Before Birth

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Research shows that the experiences and relationships we have in the earliest years of our lives, including before birth, impact on the development of our brains. Stress and adversity experienced during pregnancy can have a negative impact on babies’ physical and mental health as they grow, but this doesn’t have to be the case.  The services in place to support mothers, birthing people, partners and families in pregnancy can make a huge difference.

Antenatal Education

Antenatal education can help you prepare for your baby’s birth as well as supporting you on how to look after your baby and feed your baby.

It can help you to keep yourself fit and well during pregnancy and give you confidence as well as information. It is a great opportunity to be able to talk over any worries and discuss your plans, not just with professionals but with other women and their partners as well. Classes are also a really good way to make friends with other parents expecting babies at around the same time as you. Classes are usually informal and fun.

Community midwives will discuss the local Antenatal/Parentcraft sessions at your booking appointment.  Here at the Northern Trust we facilitate the Getting Ready for Baby Programme which is an evidence based Solihull approach to parenting.

If you have any queries about the classes contact GRFB@northerntrust.hscni.net

Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshops

Breastfeeding has many proven health benefits for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is also not just for nutrition as it provides your baby with love, comfort, and security, helping them make the transition between life inside the womb and the world outside.

The infant feeding coordinators are hosting breastfeeding workshops to assist you in your breastfeeding journey. You and your partner can attend from 36 weeks gestation.

This is a two-hour, group-based class delivered via virtual platform (MS Teams) or face to face. Partners are welcome to attend.

The workshop includes information on:

• Getting to know your baby and relationship building
• The benefits of breastfeeding
• How breastfeeding works – ‘Getting off to a good start’
• Positioning and attachment
• Skin to skin contact
• Feeding cues, responsive feeding, importance 1st feed and rooming in
• How can I tell breastfeeding is going well
• Expressing your milk or Colostrum harvesting
• Breastfeeding challenges
• Support available

Online dates and times

• 19 March 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 23 April 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 21 May 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 18 June 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 23 July 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 20 August 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 17 September 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 22 October 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 19 November 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 17 December 2024, 11:00am – 1:00pm

Join antenatal breastfeeding workshop

Meeting ID: 314 424 181 186
Passcode: TkKQ6m

Face-to-face workshops will be held in Maternity Outpatients 4 (OPD4), Level A, Antrim Area Hospital. You will need to book your place on these classes, as spaces are limited.  Please send your name, due date and hospital number to BreastFeedingWorkshop@northerntrust.hscni.net.

Scheduled dates for 2024 are:

• 29 April 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
• 24 June 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
• 2 September 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
• 28 October 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
• 23 December 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

If these dates and times are not suitable for you please use this link to avail of a Breastfeeding Workshop kindly shared by Dorset Healthcare which you can watch at your own convenience: dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/breastfeedingcourse

We hope you find this resource helpful prior to and throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Antenatal Education Classes

Virtual Midwife-led Hypnobirthing programme

Join our ‘Calm and Confident’ Hypnobirthing Zoom programme, suitable between 27-33 weeks of pregnancy (applications must be made after week 20 of pregnancy).

**This course is delivered via a virtual platform and consists of 4 x 2 hour sessions. You need to be able to commit to all 4 sessions to become fully trained in the evidence based KGH method (Katherine Graves Hypnobirthing).

Hypnobirthing techniques encourage deep relaxation to help a pregnant woman feel physically, mentally and spiritually prepared for the birth of their baby. It is an evidence-based form of antenatal education designed to help facilitate a more positive birth experience.

To book your place please email hypnobirthing@northerntrust.hscni.net and include your;

• Full name/partners name
• Due date
• Mobile number
• Number of previous births
• Causeway/Antrim hospital number

Antenatal Midwife-led Yoga classes

Pregnancy Yoga can benefit pregnant women in many different ways. Classes are now available in both Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals, for those who have booked their birth at Northern Trust Maternity Services.

It is a six-week course facilitated by midwives specially trained in pregnancy yoga. The classes are on a Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 8.30pm. You do not need to be experienced at yoga to attend.

Please try to register before 22 weeks of pregnancy as spaces are limited and on a ‘First come, first served’ basis. Early registration will also help us to assign you to a group that is closer to your place of residence.

To book your place, please send your name, hospital number, due date and contact number by email to: antenatal.yoga@northerntrust.hscni.net.

Multiples Support

If you are expecting Twins, Triplets or more the Twins support groups meet 3 monthly in Antrim. These sessions are currently being held via a virtual platform.

For more information, dates and times please speak to your Midwife at the Multiples clinic or email and register your interest at grfb@northerntrust.hscni.net

Useful resources

Twins Trust
Twins Trust Facebook NI
Multiple pregnancy – care checklist
TinyLife

Young Parent Education Classes

The NHSCT have a dedicated Young Parent’s Midwife, who specialises in the care of young mums/parents aged 19 and under.

The Midwife will organise to see the expectant parent/parents;

• Causeway area – At home and at the clinic in the Causeway Hospital.
• Ballymena or Antrim – At home or at the antenatal clinic in Ballymena Health and Care Centre.
• Trust wide – For all young parents in the NHSCT, the Midwife is available for advice and support through a texting service.

For more information please email denise.bennett@northerntrust.hscni.net

Surestart

Aquanatal classes are offered in conjunction with Surestart so any Young mum or mums within the Surestart area can avail of these classes.  Aquanatal are currently cancelled due to COVID-19.

More information is available at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/sure-start-services.