Antenatal Yoga

Gentle yoga for expectant mothers that builds strength, relaxation, and inner calm, helping you feel prepared for labour and early parenting.

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Antenatal Yoga (Yogacise) supports mothers throughout pregnancy by promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. As your baby grows, the practice helps to:

• Strengthen and tone the body

• Increase relaxation and inner balance

• Make more space and comfort for your growing baby

Benefits include:

• Reducing stress and promoting calm

• Preparing for labour and birth

• Supporting infant mental health through lower maternal stress

• Can be continued postnatally to aid relaxation and recovery

All programmes are FREE for mothers living in SureStart wards and registered with GOLD Community Partnership.

For more information, contact Midwife Helen on 028 8676 9994.

What antenatal mums say:

“I already recommended this programme to my friends and other pregnant mothers.”
“I loved it. Extremely relaxing and friendly environment. Made me feel like I had more energy after it.”
“Always leave feeling better and refreshed.”

Aquanatal Yoga

Gentle, pregnancy-safe water exercise that strengthens the body, reduces stress, and prepares you for labour, while providing a relaxing and supportive environment.

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Aquanatal Yoga is a specially designed exercise programme for expectant mothers, taking advantage of the supportive properties of water. The class focuses on:

• Building endurance and strength to prepare for labour and delivery

• Non-weight-bearing exercises that reduce risk of injury

• Maintaining or improving abdominal tone

• Promoting overall physical fitness and wellbeing

Benefits include:

• Reduced stress, supporting both mother and baby’s mental health

• Enhanced exercise benefits in a gentle, safe environment

• Improved comfort and confidence for labour and delivery

Bumps to Babies Evening

Join us for an informative and welcoming evening for expectant parents. Learn about SureStart services, baby brain development, infant feeding, and preparing for life with your newborn.

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Congratulations on your pregnancy!

SureStart warmly invites you to our Bumps to Babies Evening, a friendly introduction to our services and support for expectant parents. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner along.

During the evening, you will:

• Meet the SureStart Midwife, Speech Therapist, and MUMs Breastfeeding Peer Support

• Hear practical tips on preparation for labour, infant feeding, and communication with your newborn

• Receive lots of other useful information about parenting and local support

This session is held one evening each quarter — check our programme planner on the website for upcoming dates.

Booking & Eligibility:

• Open to all antenatal parents

• You do not need to live within SureStart wards to attend

• Contact the GOLD office on 028 8676 9994 to book your place or request more information

• What antenatal mums say:

  “Felt great after the gentle exercise, helped improve mood and also the social aspect of meeting others.”
  “Sleep better – eases muscle tension, improves overall fitness; absolutely loved these classes.”
  “Gave me more energy and helped relax me for the evening.”
  “I feel fitter, positive and happy from the sessions and looked forward to them each week. I think it helped my baby get into a good foetal position.”
  “Helen is a brilliant facilitator and makes the classes very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend these classes.”

   

  Infant Feeding Workshop
  Are you pregnant? Join our friendly workshop for expectant parents to learn about feeding, positioning, and baby cues - partners are welcome too.
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  Our Infant Feeding Workshop is designed for pregnant parents who want to learn more about breastfeeding and infant nutrition. Partners are encouraged to attend.

  During the workshop, you will explore:

  • Health benefits for both mother and baby

  • How breastfeeding hormones work

  • Recognising feeding cues and knowing if your baby is getting enough

  • Positioning, attachment, and skin-to-skin contact

  • Expressing breast milk

  • Questions and answers with our experienced facilitators

• Hypnobirthing

  
  A 4-week programme for expectant parents to reduce fear and anxiety, promote relaxation, and prepare mentally and physically for labour. Partners learn how to be effective supporters during birth.
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  Hypnobirthing is a gentle, evidence-based 4-week programme designed to help expectant parents manage stress, reduce anxiety, and prepare the body for labour.

  Fear and anxiety can increase stress hormones like adrenaline, which may block natural pain-relieving hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins. Hypnobirthing teaches relaxation techniques, breathing, and mental preparation to support a calmer, more confident birth experience.

  Benefits include:

  • Reduces or may eliminate the need for chemical pain relief

  • Keeps the mother alert, energetic, and able to bond with her baby immediately after birth

  • Promotes oxygen flow to the baby during labour

  Partners are actively involved, learning how to provide practical and emotional support during labour, helping them feel engaged in the birthing process.

Booking & Eligibility:

• For more information, contact Midwife Helen on 028 8676 9994

• Must live within SureStart wards and be registered with GOLD Community Partnership to access FREE programmes

What mums say:

“It was wonderful – it taught me breathing techniques, coping skills, and visualisation. My mindset was so positive approaching labour, and this helped both me and my husband.”
“I managed without pain relief for a period of time, and the hypnobirthing techniques allowed me to progress further into labour naturally than I would have without attending the class.”