Testimonials
What our antenatal course attendees say:
"What a whirlwind 24hrs but I wouldn't change a thing.
Carly was absolutely amazing and managed to birth Teddy in the pool as she wanted...and only took on gas and air at the point where she was 6cm dilated. It all happened really quickly. Her waters broke at home at 11:20pm Friday night. We went into Hospital at 6am where she was 3cm dilated...and we were sent off for a walk. Came back an hour later and it all started happening.
Just want to say a massive thank you to the both of you for helping us both have confidence in the decisions that we had to make. The classes were so helpful and informative. Can't wait to meet up with everyone when all the babies are here!"
George, Stowmarket
"Debbie and Helen are amazing!! I cannot rate The Antenatal Academy enough!
I'm a serial "over thinker" and had so many questions throughout my pregnancy, these guys really did put my mind at ease as no question was too small or silly to ask. They were always happy to answer and if they didn't know the answer, they'd take the time to find out and let me know.
It was great for my partner too as it gave him the building blocks for him to help me throughout my labour! We also met some fantastic couples who we've stayed in touch with and met up with since, it's really lovely to meet people going through the same thing.
If you're wondering whether to book this, then don't hesitate any longer! Do it!!
I attended Debbie's hypnobirthing course which was wonderful for me, especially as I ended up being in labour for nearly two days! I was also on the phone to Helen the night before I went for my induction, she was absolutely incredible and made me feel so much more confident about going through with it.
These ladies are amazing and I can't rate them highly enough, 5 stars isn't enough!
Thank you both so much for making my pregnancy even more enjoyable than it already was!
Book the course, you won't be sorry!!"
Steph, Elmswell
"Brilliant course with two very enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers.
As a first time mum, preparing for birth and the latter stages of pregnancy was a daunting idea but both Debbie and Helen were informative, understanding and knowledgeable. Not only teaching me to be empowered and informed but also that I am able to make my own decisions about what I want from birth and what is best for me and my baby.
Highly recommend!"
Kizzy, Stowmarket
"We can't speak highly enough of the Antenatal Academy! As well as being highly knowledgeable, Debbie and Helen are fun and engaging teachers. The course is delivered in a relaxed setting and provides a host of useful information and practical tips, which we certainly employed during our pregnancy and birth journeys. We would not hesitate to recommend!"
Simon, Bury St Edmunds
"Baby Ella was born HER way and in her own time. As we approached 39 weeks, she was breech. She flipped head down shortly before her estimated due date but then at 39 weeks I was told that Ella was a “big baby” and it was recommended that I be induced. I had learned all about the different induction methods during my Antenatal Academy class and I knew an induction was not a route I was interested in. I had been planning for a home birth the entire time I was pregnant but now the hospital no longer recommended it based on their guess that she was going to be big and the potential for shoulder dystocia. In my gut I knew that an induction was the wrong answer for me and Ella.
So, I decided to listen to my instinct and go against what the hospital recommended. This was the biggest lesson I learned from Debbie and Helen at the Antenatal Academy: it is always your choice! And I am so thankful I was fortunate enough to learn this simple, but important, lesson from them. The next “issue” we faced was that Ella wouldn’t engage for some reason. I wanted to give her as much time as she needed to see if maybe she would drop into my pelvis.
I learned during our AA class that estimated due dates are often inaccurate and that the majority of babies are born within the 2 weeks before or after their actual due date. So, I waited as long as I could bear but unfortunately my labor never started.
Instead of going forward with an induction, I opted for a caesarean. If Ella wasn’t engaged, forcing her to do it through an induction felt like the wrong answer for us. So, at 41 weeks and 5 days (I would have gone longer if C-sections were offered on the weekend), we finally met our perfect little girl.
Because it was planned, it was calm and absolutely beautiful. I had Debbie’s hypnobirthing soundtrack playing in my headphones as I received the spinal which helped me to relax. And then 10 minutes later, the drapes were lowered so I could watch as my daughter was born. She was immediately placed on my chest for skin to skin and she stayed there as the doctors finished the procedure. Ella ended up weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces (3.88 kg) so she was actually much bigger than I anticipated!
In the end, I felt confident in my decisions because I had learned about all of my options from the Antenatal Academy. Honestly worth every last penny!
Thank you, Debbie and Helen! "
Shelby, Bury St Edmunds
"Great antenatal course run by the very knowledgeable and caring, Debbie and Helen. As experts in two different fields, the course is holistic and based on up to date statistics and research. I felt empowered to challenge and question the medical route offered to me in hospital." (Louise)
"Great course and supportive course leaders. Really helped build our confidence for when our son was born and in the world." (Mark)
Louise & Mark, Elmswell
See our Google Reviews here.
Best Part of the Course?
Some comments from our course attendees:
"each session was as beneficial as the other"
"feeling like I can be the one in control during birth"
"meeting other people in a similar situation"
"Felt so welcomed, no question has been too big, or small and communication and education has been supportive and non-judgmental'
"the amount of useful knowledge"
"the course teachers, very friendly and enthusiastic"
"knowing that my worries were the same as other mums"
"laid back nature, and tea and biscuits!"
"meeting new people in similar situation"
Comments about the Teachers/Trainers
Some comments from our course attendees:
"Both of you have been great to get to know, informative, supportive and friendly, which eases the pre-baby anxiety"
"Very good course - will 100% recommend to friends/family when it's their turn!"
"Both extremely informative and welcoming"
"LOVE both Helen and Debbie, very approachable and knowledgeable"
"Really like Debbie and Helen and found both approachable"
"Really informative, friendly and enthusiastic"
"Really knowledgeable, easy to engage with and lovely and friendly"
Most Important things You Learnt?
Some comments from our course attendees:
"How birth works, the hormones.. my birth rights, confidence in making choices"
"The stages of labour, the understanding of making my own decisions and how the body works"
"Induction information - types of induction, you can make your own decisions!"
"What I can do to help as the birth partner, and different options for the mum during labour"
"Being able to have the confidence to say yes or no to things I feel I need to"
"How birth works"
"How to keep calm in labour, the benefits of keeping calm and the amount of choices you have and the option of saying no"
"Generally feeling how to manage the birth and what to expect during labour"
"Post birth care"
"Birth planning, what to expect, and to ask questions"
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