Our 3 Essential Tips for Being Heard in the Birth Room

Antenatal Academy • January 13, 2025
Cesarean Recovery tips

Navigating the birth room with confidence is essential for a positive birth experience. At Antenatal Academy, we emphasize the importance of informed, evidence-based decision-making to empower you during this pivotal time. Here are our top three tips to ensure your voice is heard and respected during the birth:


1. Embrace Your Autonomy: It's Your Body and Your Baby


Remember, you have the ultimate authority over your body and birth choices. Healthcare providers are there to support and guide you, but the final decisions rest with you. Understanding this autonomy allows you to advocate effectively for your preferences and ensures that your birth experience aligns with your values.


2. Ask Questions and Seek Clarity


Don't hesitate to ask questions about any procedures, interventions, or recommendations presented to you. Gaining a clear understanding of the risks, benefits, and alternatives enables you to make informed choices that are best for you and your baby. If you need time to consider your options, it's entirely appropriate to request it. Taking this time ensures that your decisions are well-informed and aligned with your birth plan.


3. Use Evidence-Based Tools and Frameworks


Equip yourself with evidence-based tools and frameworks to navigate decision-making during birth. Our antenatal courses provide comprehensive information on various aspects of pregnancy and birth, including understanding your options and making informed decisions. By familiarizing yourself with these resources, you can approach your birth with confidence and clarity.


By embracing your autonomy, asking questions, and using evidence-based tools, you can ensure that your voice is heard in the birth room. At Antenatal Academy, we're dedicated to providing you with the knowledge and support needed to make empowered decisions for a positive birth experience.



Debbie and Helen

Antenatal Academy


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What makes our course different to other courses? Simply put, our antenatal courses are modern, fun, educational and unique. But if you want to delve deeper.... our classes are right for you if you want.. to feel like you have been listened to during your pregnancy and birth; to feel in control and calm during labour, birth and postnatally; to know how to work with your body and mind to increase the likelihood of a straightforward, physiological birth; to know that your birth partner has a role during the birth, knows how to be your advocate and knows exactly what to do to support you no matter what happens; two experienced and knowledgeable course facilitators who have been supporting couples during pregnancy, in the birth room and post birth for many years, and have birthed 5 babies between them; so lots of real-life expertise and knowledge to pass on to expectant couples. Most other antenatal courses only have one teacher! a course packed with practical information, plus guidance on how to support your emotional needs ; interactive, modern, fun and engaging classes , but no role play (we promise!!); your birth partner to have a role during the birth, to know how to support you, helping you cope with birth and be your advocate with the medical team; to meet other like-minded soon-to-be parents - many couples will form friendships for life!; regular classes , once a week for 3 or 6 weeks, to build up knowledge and friendship, and ask all those burning questions as they crop up! peer support, and birth and postnatal support outside of class time and after your baby has been born; a course that changes with the times, so is modern and regularly updated with the latest evidence based science and information; to know your options and how to make evidenced-based decisions for you and your baby; a course that is down to earth, realistic and yet helps you to develop a positive mindset for birth and parenting. 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 or Ipswich Hospital (or any of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS locations). Helen & Debbie Antenatal Academy
By Antenatal Academy November 8, 2023
We are really pleased to find the perfect new venue for our meet ups!
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