Does anyone know of psychological/emotional antenatal classes?

[Lesparents]

Hi,

Expecting our first in mid 2023. We have had a look online and seen lots about the nhs, nct, etc antenatal classes, they all seem to begin in week 30 or later and are all focused on the child birth and birth process.

Does anyone know of anywhere there is individual or group classes for expectant parents to attend where they can be informed of things like the feelings and emotions of pregnancy, the transition to parenthood and how that can be effectively managed, and how to manage your emotions in pregnancy as a couple to ensure the baby’s development is at its best?

We both just feel there is a huge amount on the birth process (which is v imp) but not a lot on how to emotionally manage the pregnancy and how to strengthen our relationship before baby comes along.

Maybe it’s just us looking in the wrong place, but it seems to be hard to find any group type classes led by an expert where the above is discussed, and also from earlier in the pregnancy than 30 weeks?

Let us know anyway!

Les Parents

Have you looked at Blossom antenatal? Online they are really good

This is a really good point and something many parents don’t really think about. I’m not aware of classes, but you could maybe look for a local therapist who might specialise in this area and see about having a few sessions?

I've heard of religious groups offering this kind of thing. If you're religious then I'd ask the appropriate person in your community.

I think this is also the job of an antenatal doula.

Possably a family therapist might be able to offer something.

Hey, yes we have, it is all completely focused on the child birth and breastfeeding.
It looks a great offering but we are much earlier in our pregnancy than all of the content on there is relevant for.
We would have no issues joining those classes closer to the birth.

Many parents dont seem to think about it because there doesn’t seem to be anyone offering the services … my partner won’t go to a therapist as she said there is nothing ‘wrong’, but I dont think that’s the sole purpose of therapists. It would make more sense if there was some curated psychological/emotional sessions much earlier in the pregnancy that you could join. Individual sessions would be very expensive also. It’s a real pity as it seems to be quite important for the baby’s development.

We are in no way religious (not married either). We have spoken with an antenatal doula who has said that she doesn’t have as in depth an understanding of the issues we were hoping to cover, she said she was focused on childbirth and support around labour. Whereas we are really looking for education on the feelings and emotions of pregnancy and parenthood, what we can do to strengthen our relationship and then how to create the best environment for our child to be raised in. Doesn’t seem to be covered anywhere and with books you can’t ask questions etc. Therapy is expensive for an individual session and my partner wont go as she said therapists are for people who have issues etc. That is why I was looking for group sessions in the educational or coaching realm.

@Lesparents I'm sorry I've found this months after you asked; I haven't been monitoring this site for a while. I realise this might be too late to help with what you wanted.

I am an antenatal educator and I'm currently in the process of devising an online course that focuses on the emotional journey of labour and birth, alongside the "what's happening?" info side of things. It's taking me ages, but is slowly taking shape. I want to be able to offer it for free or very low-cost once it's done.

I'm also a qualified counsellor, which is why I want to combine and value the important emotional side of things with the usual info-giving and/or practical/physical approach. I appreciate you were asking about pregnancy and the adjustment to parenthood (rather than birth) and the emotional impact of this on you individually and as a couple, so it may not be quite what you're after. It's possible that self-calming/self-regulation techniques and/or some hypnobirthing might also be of use to you (I offer all this and more). Please feel free to get in touch if you want to bounce some ideas around. My real name is Zana and I own Birthing with Confidence - look for the swirly pink logo (not sure if I'm allowed to post my own links here!) 😊