Our FREE Pregnancy Support Group in Bury St Edmunds - NEW VENUE!

Antenatal Academy • Nov 08, 2023

We are really pleased to find the perfect new venue for our meet ups!

  • Joy Connection Pregnancy Support Group

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  • Upstairs at Joy Connection

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  • Upstairs at Joy Connection

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We run a free community support group for pregnancy, birth and beyond. This group is a community of local pregnant folks, parents and birth professionals. We share positive stories and support women in birth in a positive way - helping them to have a positive birth and parenting journey.


The purpose of the group is to link with others locally - both virtually and in person through our facebook group, and our local meet ups - to share information, articles, knowledge and birth stories that help to inspire and support local pregnant folks in a positive way.


We have regular meet ups at Joy Connection, a new family-focused cafe and creative hub on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds. 


Starting on Wednesday 8th November 2023 our meet ups will be every other week on a Wednesday from 10.00 to 12.00 midday in the cafe at Joy Connection.


PLUS most weeks we will have a guest appearance from a local pregnancy, birth or baby professional!


We are often found chatting about topics such as your options during labour, pros and cons of home birth, measuring the size of your baby, how to have a positive induction, natural pain relief techniques, decision making re cesareans, etc. 


We would love to meet you at our group, whether you are 4 weeks or 40 weeks pregnant, a mum with a positive birth story, first time or fifth time pregnant, or a birth partner... EVERYONE (including your toddler!) is welcome!


Please link into our Facebook Group too, we share lots of info around your pregnancy and birth choices, who our guest will be at our next meet up and friendly reminders of when we are meeting.


And so that we can keep an eye on the numbers attending we would appreciate all attendees to book onto the meet up via the following link, you can check the dates of the next meet up too:

https://joyconnection.as.me/pregnancysupportgroup.


By Antenatal Academy 08 May, 2024
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 27 Jul, 2023
At Antenatal Academy, we believe wholeheartedly in your right to autonomy throughout your pregnancy and birth. It is your body and your baby. In order to support you to step into this power with confidence, we want to make sure you have everything you need to make informed, evidence-based decisions for you and your baby. We hear a lot of 'I've been told I'm not allowed to.....' and 'they won't let me...', but the truth is that you always have a choice and having an understanding of all the risks, benefits and alternatives, will make you feel far happier with your decisions and the birth experience that you have. Key points to remember: ๐Ÿงก It is your body, your baby, your birth ๐Ÿ’š You can ask for time to consider the options once you have been given all the information ๐Ÿ’™ You do not have to justify your decisions to anyone - 'No.' can be a complete sentence โค๏ธ Our course will give you the tools and knowledge to navigate your way to a really positive birth experience Helen & Debbie Antenatal Academy
By Antenatal Academy 08 Jun, 2023
Well it is difficult to choose just 3 things I wish I’d known as a new parent! There are so many things I have learned, some the hard way in my own parenting, and lots more by supporting so many new parents as a postnatal doula. In our Antenatal Academy classes, we cover a whole range of knowledge and practical skills to take into looking after newborns and your parenting journey. Most importantly, we want you to know you aren’t alone; parenting can be hard, whilst also being wonderful. Attending our group course will give you the opportunity to begin to build a support network and friendships with other parents-to-be. Helen Fortes Antenatal Academy
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