Why you should question everything!

Antenatal Academy • February 10, 2022

When  your health care provider starts mentioning statistics, or conveying broad statements about risks of waiting versus induction for example, always ask for the evidence and research. How your options are presented to you can often be biased and can influence your decisions.


When a health care provider says to you "if you go over 41 weeks the chance of stillbirth increases by 50%" what they aren't telling you is that increase in risk (or 'chance') goes up from 0.04% to 0.06%.


Navigating the facts can be really difficult when you are birthing in a system where they are looking after sick people, when you are not sick, birth is a normal physical function.  It means that having the tools to help you to impartially navigate this system and knowing where to go to for research and reliable information is invaluable.


That’s where we can help. Our antenatal course will help you to navigate the system with tools and questions that help you to have a positive birth experience no matter what kind of intervention is being discussed or birth journey you have.


Debbie & 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
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