Antenatal Courses in Cornwall
Personalised antenatal classes & birth preparation that give you what you need to be really ready.
“Gemma is THE BEST! She helped us open up to each other about how we see labour which bought us so much closer. We asked questions we probably wouldn’t have done in a group setting and we feel much more prepared! ”
Antenatal Done Differently
I know that preparing for birth is best done 1-2-1.
Over the years, I’ve taught antenatal courses in groups and privately across Cornwall. Experience has taught me that it really does work better when it’s just us, in your home, putting your priorities first.
Birth & baby journeys are personal and unique: as a doula, I support the uniqueness of this every single day, and see the benefits of that approach.
I bring this same philosophy and approach to your antenatal and birth preparation: every antenatal course follows your lead & meets your needs to help you feel calm, in control and full of confidence as you approach the birth of your baby.
“Gemma guided us through the entire process, helping us create a clear birth plan that aligned with our hopes and values. She equipped me with practical tools and techniques to support my partner during labour. For the first time, I felt confident that I could truly contribute and be a source of strength for her!”
Your antenatal class, from start to finish.
Believe me, the knowledge, skills and confidence you have as you enter the birth space WILL transform your birth & baby experience.
As a doula, I know that the standard approach doesn’t work here.
Preparing you for that positive experience depends entirely on where you’re starting from, what your dream scenario is and how you want to go about your birth preparation.
From the timing of our sessions, to the balance of discussion & practical tasks, and whether we focus more on hypnobirthing strategies or feeding: every aspect of your antenatal course will be tailored to answer your questions and build your confidence.
“Gemma’s support has been absolutely pivotal for us, and I honestly can’t imagine going through this journey without her. She uses brilliant resources and breaks everything down into manageable, digestible pieces making sure it’s tailored exactly to your needs and situation. ”
First-Time Parents
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.
“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!”
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 or hypnobirthing courses
have a specific idea of what you want to learn & develop skills in
would like in-person sessions supported by WhatsApp access
are available for sessions between 20 & 35 weeks of pregnancy
-
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
Total cost: £105 per workshop
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.
Flexible payment plans are available.
“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.”
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
-
Over the course of two hours, we explore…
how the birthing body works
the importance of hormones and emotions in birth
medicalised routes through birth (induction, assisted delivery & caesareans)
how birth partners can support the process
-
Over the course of two hours, we’ll explore…
pain relief options (drug based & holistic)
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
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.
Flexible payment plans are available.
“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. ”
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, personalised, in-depth information & perspectives
want support with all aspects of birth & baby preparations
are available for sessions between 28 & 38 weeks of pregnancy
-
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
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.
Flexible payment plans are available.
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. These antenatal courses will help you reflect, rest and rebuild as you approach your next birth & baby experience.
“We feel so confident and calm going forwards; we came to feel prepared and now feel totally ready, but also okay about navigating the unknown.”
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 or hypnobirthing courses
have a specific idea of what you want to learn & develop skills in
would like in-person sessions supported by WhatsApp access
are available for sessions between 20 & 35 weeks of pregnancy
-
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
Total cost: £105 per workshop
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.
Flexible payment plans are available.
“Now my daughter is 7 months old and we have had time to reflect, I can wholeheartedly say that we would NOT have had the birth experience that we had if it hadn’t been for taking the antenatal course. I will be forever grateful to Gemma for this.”
‘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:
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
-
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
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.
Flexible payment plans are available.
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
All of my antenatal courses are:
delivered in your home.
scheduled around your availability.
tailored to your needs.
To book, simply email me with the course you’d like and your availability and I’ll get you booked in.
Your pregnant and postpartum brain is in adrenaline mode for a reason; working with it, and using tools to calm your nervous system will create a more positive experience.