FAQs

What sets this courses apart from NHS antenatal courses? The Complete Birth Prep Package is more personalised with only 6-8 couples per course allowing me to focus on your individual concerns, unlike larger NHS groups. We cover factual, emotional, and practical aspects of labour, birth and parenting including hypnobirthing techniques and postnatal topics, which NHS courses may not offer. These are explored in a hands-on, discursive way rather than by powerpoint.

I recommend starting the course after 20 weeks of pregnancy so that you are able to complete the course before your due date and have time to practice using hypnobirthing techniques if you choose to use them.

Hypnobirthing is a technique that uses antenatal education, relaxation, visualisation, and self-hypnosis to help manage pain and reduce anxiety during childbirth. It teaches you to stay calm and focused, creating a more positive birth experience and the techniques can be used however you choose to birth your baby. Hypnobirthing can't guarantee a pain-free labour, but it can help you feel more in control. Some mum's find that they can use the techniques and coping strategies all the way through labour. Others might use them for as long as they're comfortable before considering other options. There's no one-size-fits-all approach – it's about what works best for you! Do not use hypnobirthing downloads or practice the techniques or exercises contained within the course downloads whilst driving or operating machinery.

This course is for everyone. It's not just for mums, but also for birth partners, partners, and parents-to-be. Everyone is important, and you're all included.

Absolutely! Approaching the material with fresh insights can be very beneficial. I often support parents looking for a refresher course, especially those new to the area who want to learn about local maternity services and meet other local parents. A refresher course can also help you prepare for birth differently this time, especially if your circumstances have changed.

The course is inclusive and welcomes both solo parents and those with partners whether for an entire course or if one of you cannot make an evening session. If you miss a session, a quick catch-up chat can be arranged, and the comprehensive course resources will help you cover any missed material at home.

No. I am not able to provide individual medical advice and would always ask that you refer specific medical concerns to your midwife or doctor.

I want you to feel confident in your choice. If you have any questions, please get in touch. After you sign up, I'll reach out to welcome you and provide course details. I'll also ask if there's anything important I should know to tailor the course to your needs. Any information you share is held in strict confidence and is not shared with other course members. If needed, I can make adaptations to the course to better support your learning.

With nearly 20 years of experience supporting parents through labour, birth, and early parenthood, I offer comprehensive guidance grounded in rigorous qualifications, including a Diploma in Antenatal Education from The University of Bedfordshire and a Degree in Pastoral Care and Counselling from the University of Glasgow. My holistic approach ensures courses are interactive and adaptable to individual needs, while my commitment to continuous learning keeps me updated on the latest advancements in midwifery care. I provide evidence-based information, support inclusivity for all backgrounds, and offer continuous support until your baby is born. Plus, expect biscuits, tea, and laughter—because I'm British, and that's what we do!

Labour & Birth - Preparing for a positive birth - Going into labour - Role of birth partner - Hypnobirthing 101 - suitable for caesarean birth & induction - Breathing & massage skills - suitable for caesarean & induction - Pain management - Caesarean birth - Induction of labour Postnatal Healing - Physical & mental recovery - Coping with your new routine - Postnatal plan - Getting support Caring for your Newborn - Newborn behaviours - Baby bonding - Baby-wearing - Nappy know-how - Safer sleep - Bathing babies Feeding your Newborn - How to recognise when you baby is hungry and full - Typical feeding patterns including how often and how long feeding lasts - Breastfeeding basics including positions, attachment, expressing and troubleshooting - Formula and bottle feeding Bonus Extras - Hypnobirthing workbook - 6 hypobirthing MP3 scripts - Caesarean birth relaxations - Tailored hypnobirthing scripts - MP3 relaxation tracks for feeding - Online resources hub - 1:1 support when needed - Course goodie bag

A 50% deposit of £92.50 can be paid to reserve your place on the course. The remainder is due 3 weeks before the start of the course. You will be emailed a payment invoice. Your place is not guaranteed until full payment has been made.

If your baby is born before 37 weeks and you have not started the course, Birth Prep with Joy will issue a full refund. If your baby arrives before 37 weeks while you are partway through the course, please contact us at info@birthprepwithjoy.com

- A full refund if cancellation is notified 31 days or more prior to the commencement of the course. - A full refund if your baby is born before 37 weeks and you have not started the course. - Refunds are not available after course commencement. - Refunds under any other circumstance are at sole discretion of Birth Prep with Joy. Please contact me at info@birthprepwtihjoy.com

By signing up to, purchasing or accessing any in person or online course, or online content (website and social media) from Birth Prep with Joy, you are agreeing to the following: PAYMENT TERMS Your space on any course will be confirmed on receipt of full payment. REFUNDS - IF YOU WISH TO CANCEL YOUR PLACE - A full refund if a cancellation is notified 31 days or more prior to the commencement of the course. - Refunds are not available after course commencement. - Refunds under any other circumstance are at sole discretion of Birth Prep with Joy. Please contact me at info@birthprepwtihjoy.com RESCHEDULING OF DATES / CHANGES OF VENUE For online courses, every effort will be made to rearrange sessions to suit you if required. Once sessions have been confirmed, we may not be able to rearrange them. Birth Prep with Joy reserve the right to cancel, change or alter the dates and venues of any course at any time. If the course changes from the advertised description and you are no longer able to attend, you will be offered a full refund or alternative time or course to suit you at no extra cost. IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE: The information shared by Birth Prep with Joy in courses, online or in correspondence is not there to replace medical advice. We are unable to comment or advise on any personal medical circumstances. If you have any concerns about your or your baby’s health or wellbeing, you should always contact your midwife or health care provider. Birth Prep with Joy accepts no responsibility for any of the decisions you make in regards to your pregnancy and birth. - Taking part in any physical exercises, positions or movements provided by the course should only be done when deemed safe by your midwife or healthcare team. - When taking part in any physical activity on the course, you are responsible for ensuring your space and equipment are safe to use. - Birth Prep with Joy accepts no responsibility for injury caused by taking part in any physical activity on the courses. -If you have any concerns, (including but not exclusively) bleeding, pain, reduced movement, feeling of light headedness, sickness, nausea or any unusual feeling- stop, and contact your midwife immediately. DISCLAIMER Using Hypnobirthing techniques and other birth prep ideas discussed during an antenatal course are not a substitute for the advice of or the presence during birth or any part of pregnancy or labour of a qualified medical practitioner, midwife or obstetrician. Any questions or doubts that you have about the use of Hypnobirthing or the safety or appropriateness of this programme by you or any third party in any part should be discussed by you with your medical caregiver before the commencement of a course. Birth Prep with Joy accepts no responsibility for the inappropriate use of Hypnobirthing techniques or other birth prep ideas discussed during an antenatal course. Hypnobirthing is intended solely as an 'aid' to 'help' increase the comfort of labour and birth and is not in any way a guarantee or promise of expected, imagined or actual outcome of the labour or birth in any way shape or form. Participation in Antenatal and Hypnobirthing classes in any part or in total by any person is undertaken with the understanding by any persons that no litigation or legal action whatsoever will be initiated or that no form of compensation or reimbursement or refund will be claimed or applied for at any time now or in the future against Birth Prep with Joy. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Any recording or written material included as part of this course and all rights worldwide (including Intellectual Property Rights) relating thereto respectively are the sole property of Birth Prep with Joy or others from whom such rights may be derived (whether or not protected by trademark and copyright laws) and may not be used other than for the personal use of the participant without obtaining prior written permission. GDPR The participant also agrees that Birth Prep with Joy shall hold your details on file and on computer and, in accordance with the GDPR Act 2018, you have the right to view, amend or delete your individual file by giving not less than seven days' written notice. We treat your personal data with the utmost care and keep only relevant information to process your booking. We will not sell or give your information to a 3rd party. By engaging in any content, purchases or otherwise, from Birth Prep with Joy, you are agreeing to the above terms and conditions. If at any time you have any questions regarding the above, you can contact Birth Prep with Joy at info@birthprepwithjoy.com