What is a Birth Preparation Workshop?

So many fathers-to-be or birth partners have told us that they are worried that they won’t know what to do during labour, and will end up ‘like lemons in the corner’. Our Birth Preparation Workshop aims to show both pregnant women and their birth companions useful and practical ways that can help with labour and birth.

The workshop provides time to explore how the labouring woman might want to move, position herself and breathe, and how her birth partner can make that easier and more comfortable for her.  Women and their birth partners are taught practical ‘tools’ for working with pain in labour including breathing, touch, movement and massage.

The facilitators draw upon well respected research and knowledge about birth and teach a range of approaches to meet the intensity of labour, using simple equipment available to all, such as birth balls, pillows and chairs.

How will the workshop benefit me and my birth partner?

The Birth Preparation workshop is particularly valuable for women and partners planning or considering as straight forward a birth as possible. Many women are worried that they might not be able to cope with the intensity of labour and many partners are worried that they will find this very difficult. The aim of the day is to help everyone feel more positive about birth and confident in their abilities to cope with labour.

Our facilitators are highly experienced and knowledgeable birth educators, having worked with women and their birth partners for many years.  More information about the workshop leaders, their qualifications and experience can be found at the bottom of this page.

What to Expect

The workshop, which is designed for women and their birth partners, takes place over a whole day, from 10am until 4pm either on a Saturday or Sunday.  This includes a break for lunch (which is not provided).  Tea, coffee, water and biscuits will be available throughout the workshop.

Groups are kept to a maximum of five couples, and have a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.  The day is loosely structured, but is kept flexible to ensure there is plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

All are welcome. Women come with male and/or female birth partners, mothers, sisters, friends and doulas.

Women and their birth partners are welcome at any stage in their pregnancy but often come between 30-40 weeks of their pregnancies.

More Information and How to Book

Next workshop dates:    Saturday 19th May, Sunday 24th June, Saturday 7th July

Facilitators:      Lee Seekings Norman and Nadine Edwards

Price:                    £85 (£63.75, £50 concession) for each couple.

£100 (£75 concession) for woman and two birth partners.

To book a space, please email info@pregnancyandparents.org.uk or call us on 0131 229 3667.

What participants thought of the workshop:   

“The workshops and the support of the PPC helped take the fear out of birth, and changed it into something we could own as an experience.” 

 Father expecting second baby