PREPARATION FOR BIRTH CLASS AT HEATHERWOOD
(Not to be confused with the Fit for Birth and Beyond class run by the Physios ! phone 01344 877400 to book )
Couples intending to deliver at Wexham Park Hospital and living in the Ascot, Sunninghill, Sunningdale, Bracknell and Windsor area are entitled to free NHS classes at Heatherwood Hospital 2 months before their baby is due. They vary between 2 tuesday evening classes from 7-9.15pm or an all day session on a saturday from 10-2.30pm. These sessions are for 1st time expectant couples.
Please note that if you have already enrolled in NCT classes or HypnoBirthing classes then there is no need to take these NHS classes as all topics will have already been covered. If you are booked to deliver at Frimley Park or St Peters, Chertsey or the Royal Berks, Reading then these hospitals also hold classes which would be more appropriate for you. Just type the hospital and the word parentcraft into google and it should lead you to the appropriate page of their websites for more details. If however their classes are full then there MAY be space on the classes at Heatherwood.
The classes at Heatherwood are for Bracknell/ Ascot/ Windsor couples booked to deliver at Wexham. If you are booked for the Ascot Birth Centre then you would benefit more by coming to the FREE HypnoBirthing classes (see separate page on this website, classes normally would cost £300-400 ! )
All classes are held on the Ascot Birth Centre on the second floor Heatherwood. Enter from the main hospital entrance, turn right and come up 2 flights of stairs. You'll need to press the buzzer and wait to be let in. You may wish to bring some cushions as the chairs aren't all that comfy ! Or you may wish to bring a 'Fitball' to sit on- it is important to get the right size for your height. Amazon and Argos have a good selection. I have several in the room to try out. I also have some balls for purchase in the classroom.
If you are coming to the saturday class you will both need to bring a packed lunch, or food that can be microwaved. Hot and cold drinks are provided at all classes. There is a charge for the carpark but it is acceptable to buy the minimum ticket and leave a note on your windscreen explaining that you are attending classes until 30mins after the class ends. It is ofcourse free to park outside on the road so long as there is no racing on.
Please check the dates and times below and then either email with a mobile contact number or text your choice to my work mobile which is 07887 650 044. I will email/ text you back once I have checked availability. Book early as these classes tend to get full quite early. I may take up to a week to reply as I am often teaching or driving and therefore unable to answer messages. For this reason please DO NOT leave me a voice mail.
FREE HYPNOBIRTHING CLASSES
If you are booked to deliver at Heatherwood or at home, then you are now entitled to a free HypnoBirthing course whether it is your first or subsequent child. The course involves 12 hours of classes and are instead of the ones described above. There are 2 courses per month and are run on 3 weds evenings and 1 or 2 weekend sessions. For more details please click on the HypnoBirthing page and then send me an email to mandy_mole@hotmail.com
If it's your first baby then you still ought to come to the class described below.
BRINGING BABY HOME CLASS
I run a follow-up class just for Expectant Mums on an afternoon 2-4pm a month later. This should be when you have given up work and covers all aspects of life with a newborn baby, recovering from the birth, breastfeeding, ways of reducing the risk of cotdeath, postnatal depression etc and all the dates are listed below.
This class has become extremely popular so there are usually 2 per month to choose from. This is a women only class but You may like to bring one of the baby's future Grandmothers with you for company. They find this very beneficial especially as it is an opportunity for them to focus on the baby and learn up to date information on feeding and babycare directly from a professional. Why not make a day of it and have lunch out together first?!
Just text your choice of class to my work mobile 07887 650 044. Or you can book this class when you come to the labour class or HB course the month before.
BREAST FEEDING DROP-IN CLINIC
It is also worth remembering that at Heatherwood we now run a breast feeding drop in clinic for new Mums on a wednesday from 3-6pm for any mums in the area needing extra help with breast feeding, irrespective of where they gave birth. There is no need to book this.
POST-NATAL SUPPORT COURSE
I have recently set up a Post-natal support group at the South Ascot Childrens centre. This is for new mothers with babies from 2 weeks old and is run as a rolling 6 week course. Again it is open to anyone living in our catchment area, not just south Ascot. For more details visit www.southascotchildrenscentre.co.uk and contact Laura the centre manager on 07512 850387 to book a place.
NHS PREPARATION FOR LABOUR CLASSES AND BRINGING BABY HOME CLASS
FOR BABIES DUE IN SEPT or earlier
- BRINGING BABY HOME FRI 13TH AUGUST 2-4PM
FOR BABIES DUE IN OCT or earlier
- TUES 3RD & 10TH AUGUST 7-9.15PM
- BRINGING BABY HOME tues 14th SEPT 1.30-3.30pm
FOR BABIES DUE IN NOV or earlier
- SAT 11TH SEPT 10AM-2.30PM
- BRINGING BABY HOME TUES 12TH OCT 1.30-3.30PM
FOR BABIES DUE IN DEC or earlier
- SAT 16TH OCT 10AM-2.30PM
- BRINGING BABY HOME TUES 16TH NOV 1.30-3.30PM
FOR BABIES DUE JAN 2011
- sat 6th Nov 10am-2.30pm
- BRINGING BABY HOME TUES 14TH DEC 1.30-3.30PM
FOR BABIES DUE FEB 2011
- SAT 4TH DEC 10AM-2.30PM