I provide small, informal and friendly groups for pregnant women and their partners. As well as receiving practical information, parents-to-be will learn coping strategies to deal with labour, an understanding of the normal birth process and coping with life with a newborn baby. The techniques taught include breathing,relaxation, massage etc. as well as information on the benefits and disadvantages of medical assistance. The course will help participants discover their own personal strengths and weaknesses and empower them with knowledge to focus on the normality of birth. Classes are aimed to be nonjudgmental, multi-sensory, effective and fun!
The content of the classes will vary depending upon your needs, but include some of the following:
- Information about the process of labour and childbirth
- some details of medical procedures and interventions
- The latest research on physical preparations for labour and childbirth
- Advice on breathing and relaxation techniques
- The opportunity to learn about different birth positions
- A guide to pain relief choices
- The chance to learn and try out massage skills and breathing techniques
- The time to ask questions and rehearse the possible decisions you may have to make during the course of your labour
- Some indication of the changes you might experience after the birth and in early parenthood.
- An introduction to breastfeeding.
Whatever the class, the idea is that both you and your partner will acquire the skills and confidence needed to make birth a positive experience.
EXERCISE CLASSES
I also offer exercise classes both in a group or one-to-one setting. These can be on land in a clients own home or in a gym or even in water. I have been teaching Aquaerobics classes for the past 14 years and am very keen to promote exercise in water during pregnancy due to its many benefits.
Post natal exercise can also be catered to individuals' needs depending on previous fitness levels and type of birth experienced.This will be either in a group setting or as private personal training. In these classes the baby can be involved in the exercises and even used as a weight to increase the intensity.
I also teach an aqua-natal class at Woking's Pool in the Park on fridays during term-time from 12.30-1.15pm.Babies are also welcome in buggies or car seats on poolside but it is advisable to strip them well down as it does get very hot in there! Please phone 01483 771122 for more details.
Classes in Ascot, Berks
I teach a combined ante-natal and post-natal exercise class on tuesdays at 11.30-12.30 at the South Ascot Church Hall, Church road, South Ascot. This is an exercise to music class designed to improve cardio-vascular fitness and focus on those areas weakened by pregnancy and birth. Babies in buggies or carseats are very welcome and can even be used during the class instead of handweights !
Classes can be taken right throughout pregnancy up until the birth as everyone works at their own pace. Post-natally its best to wait 4-6 weeks after a normal birth and at least 8 weeks after a C.Section. Email me at mandy-mole@hotmail.com for a health questionnaire to be completed prior to your first class. Or you can ring me for more details 07878 549 941
COST
Individual classes cost £5 but you can buy a course of 6 classes for only £25 (getting one free class) These don't need to be taken consecutively, I'll just keep a record of how many you've taken.