Antenatal Courses in Cornwall
Personalised antenatal classes that give you what you need to be ready for this…
Antenatal done differently…
When it comes to the birth of your baby, no one matters more than you: your body, your mind and your instincts, all take center stage…
Which is why preparing for birth and baby life is better done on a 1-2-1 basis.
As a doula, I know how personal and individual birth journeys are.
It is far more than a physical process: it’s emotional, logistical and cultural. This combination is what makes your journey to parenthood totally unique... and which is so often overlooked by generic antenatal courses.
“It’s like meeting a stranger and never wanting them to leave! The activities were prepared in the BEST way. Getting us to do basic things like prepping formula really gets you thinking about those tasks that you assume are going to be easy but haven’t really given much thought to.”
Each one of my full antenatal courses follow your lead, and meet your needs.
When it’s just us you get all of my time, energy and skill as we navigate the world of antenatal education, allowing me to adapt our content and change our focus as and when needed.
Believe me: this makes all the difference to your level of calm, control and confidence as you approach the birth of your baby…
“Gemma has this gift for turning big, overwhelming topics into easy, engaging conversations. She uses brilliant resources and breaks everything down into manageable, digestible pieces making sure it’s tailored exactly to your needs and situation.
Her support has been absolutely pivotal for us, and I honestly can’t imagine going through this journey without her.”
Your antenatal class, from start to finish…
As a working birth doula, I know how important you are in your birth experience:
your knowledge
your skills
your confidence
It all has has the power to influence your birth experience.
My mission is to give you all of this, in a way that really works for you…
“Absolutely brilliant, we loved working with you. We were always so excited for our next session and gutted on our last, that we weren’t going to see you again. I would 100% recommend your classes to anyone.
You are awesome at working in a way which suited us, the activities allowed us to get a deeper understanding in all topics... I couldn’t honestly pick a particular bit because we enjoyed it all!”
Years of experience delivering antenatal courses and supporting birth & postpartum around Cornwall has given me a deep understanding of birthing community here.
That’s why each of my antenatal courses have a different focus, time frame and price point.
Each course lays its own specific foundations for an antenatal education that gets you feeling truly ready and confident to meet your baby, while being delivered in a way that compliments your own unique pace of life.
All of the full antenatal courses below are…
delivered in the comfort of your own home, anywhere within Cornwall.
scheduled at times and dates to suit your diary
include a private Whatsapp space with me to access further support
can be managed using flexible payment plans, time allowing.
For first-time parents…
Each birth happens once & your first baby’s arrival is not a practice run.
Each of these antenatal courses are tailored to your needs & priorities, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to go beyond the basic, and do birth your way.
Core Essentials: Birth Preparation Workshops
Building your confidence and sharpening your skills by focusing on what matters most for this birth with a single three-hour workshop and extended personal support.
These workshops are for you if you…
have done other antenatal courses, or have good knowledge of the mechanics of birth
have a clear idea of what you want to learn & how I can help you
would like in-person sessions supported by WhatsApp access
are available for your session between 20 & 35 weeks of pregnancy
The Workshops
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Creating positive births from confident choices.
In this 3 hour workshop, you’ll work together to:
explore how home & hospital birth works in Cornwall.
understand the differences between induction, assisted delivery, caesareans and different forms of pain relief, and how each works at Treliske.
consider the pros and cons of different birth places in Cornwall.
learn how to create a birth plan that works for, rather than against you.
-
Know what to do when it matters most.
Over the course of our three hour workshop, together you will…
understand the emotional side of birth hormones
explore emotional cues and how to support oxytocin release
build a practical toolkit for pain management, including massage, counter pressure, positioning, environment, & hypnobirthing approaches.
develop advocacy skills to help navigate policy & pressure within NHS supported home and hospital births
-
Navigating life after birth with confidence.
In this 3 hour workshop, together you will:
Explore your hopes, fears and priorities for the fourth trimester (the first three months after birth).
Understand what postpartum recovery is and needs
Learn the basics of baby-care (hygiene, sleep & the principles of feeding)
Explore common challenges in postpartum journeys & how to overcome them
Each workshop includes printed & online antenatal and birth planning resources, as well as ongoing private Whatsapp access to me for questions, signposting and doula insights, until the day you go into labour.
Total cost: £105 per workshop
Flexible payment plans are available
“I was worried that I wouldn’t know what to do when baby arrived... you’ve given me the confidence to trust my own decisions and instincts!”
Strong Foundations Antenatal Course
Building your knowledge and inner strength for a confident birth and baby journey with three personalised sessions and extended support
This course is for you if you:
are first-time parent
have some experience of birth & babies
are balancing depth with time / budget
are happy to do continue to research and prepare independently
are available for sessions between 28 & 37 weeks of pregnancy
“A fantastic, bespoke way to feel much more prepared for the adventure ahead, making the daunting yet exciting chapter familiar and allow us to journey with confidence.”
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Over the course of two hours, we explore…
how the birthing body works
the importance of hormones and emotions in birth
how birth partners can support the process
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
medicalised birth pathways, including induction, assisted delivery, caesareans and pain relief.
birth skills: positioning, massage, breathwork & mindset
advocacy: navigating the maternity system on your terms
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
postpartum recovery, including ways for partners to support it.
baby-care basics: sleeping, hygiene, nappies & the principles of feeding.
relationships & the mental load: navigating baby-life smoothly.
Total cost: £330
Flexible payment plans are available
This course includes printed & online antenatal and birth planning resources, as well as 10 weeks of private Whatsapp access to me for questions, signposting and doula insights.
Complete Confidence Antenatal Course
Developing your confidence, self—trust & self-belief to do birth and baby life your way through six tailored, detailed sessions with extended personal support
This course is for you if you:
are a first-time parent
have no experience of birth or babies
want detailed, in-depth preparation
would prefer support with all aspects of antenatal & birth planning
are available for sessions between 28 & 38 weeks of pregnancy
“More than anything, Gemma helped us feel empowered. Each session left us feeling more confident in our choices, more prepared for birth, and more connected as a couple. Her support has been absolutely pivotal for us, and I honestly can’t imagine going through this journey without her. ”
-
Over the course of two hours, we explore…
how the birthing body works
the importance of hormones and emotions in birth
how birth partners can support the process
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
medicalised birth pathways, including induction, assisted delivery, caesareans and pain relief.
advocacy: navigating the maternity system on your terms
going over: exploring and understanding due dates.
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
Your birth space: creating a positive environment, wherever you are.
Birth partner skills: support with breath work, movement, massage & counter pressure
Developing a strong mindset: hopes, fears, goals and focus
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
The science & importance of the Golden Hour
First parental decisions, including cord clamping, Vitamin K & baby-checks
Creating a positive start to your feeding journey
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
Postpartum bodies & recovery
Baby-care basics: safe sleep, hygiene & nappies
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
Finding balance: priorities, boundaries and mental health
Your home environment: making your space work for you and your family
New relationships: with your baby, your partner & yourself.
Total cost: £550
Flexible payment plans are available
This course includes printed & online antenatal and birth planning resources, as well as 10 weeks of private Whatsapp access to me for questions, signposting and doula insights.
For expanding families…
You’ve done this before and know what’s ahead, only this time you want it to be different
Birth preparation is different when you’ve already lived it. This antenatal course is specifically designed to help you reflect, rest and rebuilt as you approach your next birth & baby experience.
Core Essentials: Birth Preparation Workshops
Renewing your confidence and sharpening your skills by focusing on what matters most for this birth with a single three-hour workshop and extended personal support.
These workshops are for you if you…
have previously experienced birth (or have a good grounding in the mechanics!)
have a clear idea of what you want to learn & how I can help you
would like in-person sessions supported by WhatsApp access
are available for your session between 20 & 35 weeks of pregnancy
Birth Preparation Workshops
-
Creating positive births from confident choices.
In this 3 hour workshop, you’ll work together to:
explore how home & hospital birth works in Cornwall.
understand the differences between induction, assisted delivery, caesareans and different forms of pain relief, and how each works at Treliske.
consider the pros and cons of different birth places in Cornwall.
learn how to create a birth plan that works for, rather than against you.
-
Know what to do when it matters most.
Over the course of our three hour workshop, together you will…
understand the emotional side of birth hormones
explore emotional cues and how to support oxytocin release
build a practical toolkit for pain management, including massage, counter pressure, positioning, environment, & hypnobirthing approaches.
develop advocacy skills to help navigate policy & pressure within NHS supported home and hospital births
-
Navigating life after birth with confidence.
In this 3 hour workshop, together you will:
Explore your hopes, fears and priorities for the fourth trimester (the first three months after birth).
Understand what postpartum recovery is and needs
Learn the basics of baby-care (hygiene, sleep & the principles of feeding)
Explore common challenges in postpartum journeys & how to overcome them
Each workshop includes printed & online antenatal and birth planning resources, as well as ongoing private Whatsapp access to me for questions, signposting and doula insights, until the day you go into labour.
Total cost: £105 per workshop
Flexible payment plans are available
“We feel so confident and calm going forwards; we came to feel prepared for life with a newborn and now feel totally ready, but also okay about navigating the unknown.”
‘Second Time Around’ Antenatal Course
Creating a sense of calm, control and confidence around your next birth & baby journey with three stages of reflective & personalised preparation and extended personal support.
This course is for you if you are…
have previously experienced birth
want to build on your previous experiences towards a better one
would like support navigating the maternity system on your terms
are available for sessions between 28 & 38 weeks of pregnancy
“I Instantly felt comfortable and like I’d known her for a long time. We explored all my concerns and now me and my partner feel well prepped for my final stages of pregnancy.
We were especially grateful for the relaxed atmosphere Gemma created to discuss important things with my toddler running around!”
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Through a series of prompts, both you and your partner will be encouraged to explore your previous birth experience(s), and to consider…
positive moments
moments you’d like to avoid this time around
NB: this stage is done confidentially via Google Forms in the style of a journal.
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Over the course of our two hour in-person session, we’ll explore…
your hopes for your upcoming birth, and ways to make them a reality.
your fears for your upcoming birth, and ways to avoid them becoming a reality.
ways to do things differently to help you achieve your goals for your upcoming birth
-
Over the course of our two hour in-person session, we’ll explore…
your hopes for your upcoming postpartum period, and ways to make them a reality.
your fears for your upcoming postpartum period, and ways to avoid them becoming a reality.
ways to positively manage your lifestyle with an additional baby included in the mix.
Total cost: £250
Flexible payment plans are available
This course includes printed & online antenatal and birth planning resources, as well as 10 weeks of private Whatsapp access to me for questions, signposting and doula insights.
You don’t have to do this alone
Looking for the people who get it?
Pregnancy and postpartum are so much easier when you have people around you who understand exactly what life is like for you right now.
That’s why I created two community spaces for parents & parents-to-be in Cornwall to find their feet, their friends and the confidence to move forwards.
Antenatal Courses in Cornwall: Availability & Booking
These antenatal courses are delivered around you: I come to your home, at times and dates that work for your schedule to give you the knowledge, skills and confidence that make a difference to birth.
If you’re interested in booking one of these courses, here’s what you have to do:
Email me: let me know whether you’d like a discovery call, or whether you have a clear course you’d like to book, along with your estimated due date & preferred dates/times for sessions.
I’ll check my diary: in my reply, I’ll let you know the available diary dates for either your discovery call or your antenatal course.
Confirm: let me know what dates & options you’d like to go ahead with, and I’ll send out the paperwork and invoices you need to get your course confirmed.