Frequently Asked Questions
Your FAQs Answered
Q. When should we book Antenatal Academy classes?
We would recommend you to book onto a class after your 20 week scan and to start Antenatal Academy classes anytime from your mid-20 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
If you can, it is definitely worth starting classes early on during your pregnancy so that you have time to practise the tools and techniques you will learn on the course. The more time you have to practise, the more effective the techniques will be come the birth.
Q. Where are Antenatal Academy classes in Bury St Edmunds?
We mainly teach our group classes at the Freedom Church in Great Barton with its comfy sofas and lots of space. If we have a class smaller in numbers then we may find an equally comfy alternative venue, which will still be in Bury St Edmunds or on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds.
Q. What makes Antenatal Academy different from other antenatal classes like NCT in Bury St Edmunds?
Antenatal Academy is an independent modern course which means the course evolves with the latest evidence-based information, providing:
- Practical information and emotional support to feel truly prepared.
- The foundation to make informed, evidence-based choices for you and your baby.
- A positive AND realistic mindset for birth and parenting.
There are two course facilitators, not just one, and both have many years of experience supporting couples in the birth room, and with newborn baby care and postnatal support.
Benefit from two optional bespoke one-to-one coaching sessions:
- A private hypnobirthing session or birth coaching session with seasoned practitioner Debbie Willis during your pregnancy, designed to answer all your mindset and hypnosis for birth questions, or to support you with decision making in a consultant-led pregnany/birth.
- A private postnatal and babycare doula session with the very knowledgeable Helen Fortes to guide and support you in your early days as a parent.
Our classes are interactive, practical, and down-to-earth, no awkward role play, though you might see a few example scenarios from Debbie and Helen for laughs and learning!
Q. What is included in the Antenatal Academy course?
Our Antenatal Course Includes:
- Group In-Person Antenatal Classes covering everything you need to know about labour and birth, postnatal recovery and life looking after a newborn baby
- PLUS a full Hypnobirthing Course
- PLUS Tailored 1:1 Birth Coaching Session
- PLUS Personalised 1:1 Postnatal Support
Find a detailed breakdown of the 6 classes we teach here including the extras.
Access ongoing guidance and evidence-based information through our extensive Members Area and your class WhatsApp Group throughout your pregnancy and once your baby arrives, so you’ll feel heard and supported throughout your journey.
Q. Does Antenatal Academy offer Hypnobirthing and is it Worth Doing?
One of your course facilitators is Debbie Willis, a highly experienced Hypnobirthing Practitioner. With Debbie you will learn how to trust in your body and stay in control with effective hypnobirthing techniques designed to support a calm, positive birth experience:
- As well as hypnobirthing content within our taught classes, we also have an exclusive self-study 3 and a half hour course, led by your experienced Hypnobirthing Practitioner and Birth Coach Debbie Willis, is designed specifically for Antenatal Academy members.
- It’s divided into three easy-to-follow steps, offering bite-sized lessons for you and your birth partner. You'll learn proven self-hypnosis techniques to help you stay calm, focused, and in control during birth, even if things don’t go as planned.
- The course also includes 5 hypnobirthing audio downloads to deepen your practice and support you through your birth journey.
Hypnobirthing is most definitely worth learning as we frequently see those using hypnobirthing techniques having positive birth experiences. You'll find that using hypnobirthing helps you to:
- Stay calm, in control, and empowered: Equip yourself with the techniques to remain centered and empowered during labour, birth, and beyond.
- Work with your body and mind: Increase the chances of a smoother, more physiological birth by learning techniques that complement your body’s natural rhythms.
Q. Who runs Antenatal Academy and what experience do the facilitators have?
With two highly experienced practitioners and five births between them, you get a truly rich learning experience, where other courses offer only one facilitator, we double the expertise!
With many years of experience supporting pregnant couples during pregnancy, birth and parenthood both Debbie and Helen know exactly what you need to know to have a positive birth and parenting experience!
Find out more about your Antenatal Academy course facilitators Debbie and Helen here.
Q. What topics does Antenatal Academy cover?
See all the class topics and everything that's included when you become an Antenatal Academy member here!
Q. Can I attend classes if I'm planning an Induction or Cesarean Birth?
Yes, we cover induction of labour and cesarean birth in detail on the Antenatal Academy course.
Furthermore, the hypnobirthing and the tools and techniques we will go through will help you no matter what type of birth you are planning or what type of birth happens on the day.
Q. Do Partners attend Antenatal Academy classes?
Yes, your booking for Antenatal Academy includes your Birth Partner and it is important that they attend the group course. The topics we cover in our classes are for both Pregnant Women/Pregnant People and their Birth Partner.
Q. Will antenatal classes teach my partner how to advocate for me during birth?
Our course covers a number of effective communication tools and techniques that Birth Partners can use. It is important that they are able to advocate for you, that they understand your wishes and know how to support you throughout labour, birth and postnatally.
Q. What if my birth partner is nervous about labour and birth?
We often have nervous Birth Partners on our courses and find that they are much less nervous by the end of the course. We welcome both nervous pregnant folks and nervous partners, we approach sensitive topics gently and we never push attendees to answer questions or get involved in role-play.
Q. What happens if myself or my partner cannot attend one of the antenatal classes?
If you cannot attend one of the classes during your course - for whatever reason - you can watch the session live online wherever you are, or we can record the session for you, so you wont miss out!
Q. Can I try an Antenatal Academy class before booking?
Our free Taster sessions are a relaxed and informative 1 hr class giving you a chance to meet your course facilitators and experience a sample of what our full antenatal course has to offer. You’ll get a feel for our teaching style, the topics we cover, and how we support you both for birth and beyond. Perfect if you're considering joining us but want to explore before committing. Email us for dates and to book in now.
Q. Do Antenatal Academy classes include support after the baby is born?
As part of your Antenatal Academy course you can book in a 1-1 postnatal support session with your course facilitator Helen Fortes. You will also have access to the group WhatsApp chat and our free regular Bumps and Baby's meet ups in central Bury St Edmunds. We do love to keep in contact and support our couples once baby has arrived!
We will also organise a class baby reunion once all the babies in your group course have arrived.
Q. What do you teach about pain relief options at Antenatal Academy classes?
During Antenatal Academy classes we cover medical pain relief options, hypnobirthing, relaxation techniques and physical comfort measures that can help you manage strong contractions and reduce pain levels.
Q. Do Antenatal Academy classes cover feeding, newborn care and recovery after birth?
Yes our classes cover newborn baby care such as feeding, nappy changing, bathing, understanding your baby, sleep patterns, baby wearing, weaning.
Find a detailed breakdown of the class topics here.
Q. Are Antenatal Academy classes appropriate for women who are consultant-led or pregnancy is labelled as high-risk?
We have many pregnant couples who are under consultant-led care (rather than midwifery care) and/or have been labelled as having a high-risk pregnancy or birth.
Our Antenatal Academy course helps to support any type of pregnancy or birth and our classes are an ideal space to ask questions to help you to have a positive experience, no matter what type of birth you are planning or happens on the day.
Join us for a course that’s more than just learning. Prepare for an empowered birth experience and join a community that’s here for you every step of the way. It really does 'take a village'!!
Our in-person group antenatal classes are for parents in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Newmarket, Thetford, Needham Market, Diss, Eye, Ipswich, Haverhill, or Cambridge and anywhere in between!
You may be planning on a home birth or at a hospital labour suite or midwifery led birthing unit at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, or The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in Norwich, Ipswich Hospital or RAF Lakenheath (plus any of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS locations).
