NOVEMBER Group Antenatal Course Ayrshire | Birth Balance

4-Week Group Antenatal Course

*this booking is for NOVEMBER dates only!*

Feel informed, prepared and confident for birth and those first few weeks with your baby.

The Birth Balance 4-week antenatal course is a relaxed, evidence-based course led by an experienced midwife.

We’ll prepare you for straightforward labour and birth and the times when things take a different turn, alongside feeding, newborn care and the realities of the fourth trimester.

There’s no “right” way to give birth here. The aim is for you to understand your options, know what questions to ask and feel confident making informed decisions about your care.

Classes are small, friendly and interactive, with plenty of time for questions. No awkward icebreakers, and snacks and drinks are always provided!

Dates & Location:

Venue and dates TBC - Will be in Dunlop, Ayrshire.

Week 1 — Labour, Birth & Birth Planning

We’ll start with how labour and birth actually work before exploring the different ways you might give birth. We’ll cover vaginal and planned caesarean birth, pain relief and how to create flexible birth preferences that reflect what matters to you.

• Signs of labour & when to contact maternity services
• Physiology and hormones of labour
• Positions, movement & birth environment
• Medical and non-medical pain relief
• Vaginal & planned/elective caesarean birth
• Birth partners and how they can help
• Birth planning, choices & informed decision-making

Week 2 — When Birth Takes a Different Turn

Birth doesn’t always follow the original plan. We’ll talk honestly and calmly about induction, interventions and emergencies so that if things change, you and your birth partner have a better understanding of what is happening and why.

• Induction of labour
• Monitoring & common interventions
• Assisted vaginal birth — forceps & ventouse
• Unplanned & emergency caesarean birth
• Common obstetric emergencies and how they are managed
• Consent, communication & informed decision-making
• How your birth partner can support you when plans change

The aim is simple: prepared, not scared.

Week 3 — Feeding & Your Newborn

Now for what happens when your baby is actually here! We’ll look at normal newborn behaviour, practical baby care and feeding without judgement — whether you plan to breastfeed, formula feed, combination feed or simply want to understand all of your options.

• What to expect from your newborn
• Breastfeeding & establishing milk supply
• Expressing, formula & combination feeding
• How to know whether your baby is getting enough milk
• Nappies, bathing & dressing your baby
• Normal newborn sleep & crying
• Safe sleep
• When and where to ask for help

Week 4 — The Fourth Trimester & Life After Birth

Antenatal preparation shouldn’t stop at birth. Our final week is about what those first few weeks can actually look like, and helping you feel prepared for the transition into parenthood.

• The fourth trimester & realistic expectations
• Recovery after vaginal and caesarean birth
• Postnatal hormones & the baby blues
• Postnatal depression & anxiety
• Emotional wellbeing for both parents
• Relationships & adjusting to life with a baby
• Looking after yourselves as well as your newborn
• Recognising when you need additional support

You'll also receive practical baby safety education from Little Lifesavers, including infant CPR and choking.

Why Birth Balance?

Birth Balance isn't about telling you how you should give birth or parent your baby.

It’s about giving you realistic, evidence-based information so you understand your choices and feel better equipped for whatever your birth and early postnatal experience brings.

Come as you are, ask absolutely anything and leave feeling much more prepared for what’s ahead.

One booking covers you and one birth partner.