Antenatal Education & Preparation Classes

The Antenatal Education Team provide classes and resources to women and their partners to support them on their pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.

We provide classes both online via Webex app and in person. Details on all of our classes are in the drop down menus below.

In person classes are held in 65 Lower Mount Street D02NX40. 

To book our classes e-mail classes@nmh.ie or call Susan (01) 637 3499. When emailing, please include the following information:

  • Name you have registered to the hospital under.
  • When you are due (Estimated Delivery Date - EDD)
  • Date of birth
  • Your Hospital number 
  • Whether it is your first baby
  • If there is anything in particular we need to know about you

If you do not receive a reply from us, please check your spam folder as there is sometimes an issue with hotmail, yahoo and gmail. 

The NMH eLearning Hub

To complement and support your antenatal education needs our multidisciplinary team have developed an eLearning Hub. Each module is designed help you on your journey through pregnancy and beyond. The eLearning Hub will be referenced throughout your classes with us. We recommend that you review the relevant eLearning Hub module prior to your class.

Wellbeing in pregnancy classes

This is a series of four live online classes focussing on promoting wellness and maintaining good health in pregnancy and beyond. Ideally, women should come as early as possible in the pregnancy, however you are welcome at any stage.

Each class starts at 9am and will last approximately 1.5 hours.

  • 1st Friday of the month: 'Healthy Pregnancy and Medication Safety' led by a Midwife and Pharmacist.
  • 2nd Friday of the month: Healthy Bodies' led by a Physiotherapist.
  • 3rd Friday of the month: 'Healthy eating' led by a Dietitian.
  • 4th Friday of the month:Healthy Minds' led by the Mental Health Team.

These classes are a great opportunity to meet a midwife, physiotherapist, dietitian, pharamacist and mental health midwife early in your pregnancy, and can help lay the foundation for a positive experience for you. 

For more information and to book the Wellbeing in Pregnancy Classes, please e-mail classes@nmh.ie or call Susan on (01) 637 3499. When emailing, please include the following information:

  • The name you are registered to the hospital under.
  • When you are due (Estimated Delivery Date - EDD)
  • Date of birth
  • Your Hospital number 
  • Whether it is your first baby
  • If there is anything in particular we need to know about you

If you do not receive a reply from us, please check your spam folder as there is sometimes an issue with hotmail, yahoo and gmail. 

You will be sent one meeting link for all four classes. You are free to pick and choose classes to attend.

To get the most from this set of classes, we recommend that you take time to go through the 'Guide to Keeping Well in Pregnancy' on our eLearning Hub 

Classes for First Time Parents

We provide a set of three classes for first time parents. You have the option to do these classes either online or in-person. Online classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, while in-person classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

We suggest you inquire about enrolling into your classes at about 25 weeks pregnant, with a view to starting them at about 30 weeks. This will give you time to practice the excercises and strategies you will learn in class one.

Numbers for the in-person classes are strictly capped so please don't book in for these classes if you don't feel you can attend the full set.

  • Class one will cover preparation for labour and childbirth, and the first, second and third stage of labour. We know that a positive birthing experience can positively affect a woman’s long term wellbeing, and aim to empower women and their partners to believe in themselves through a partnership approach. 

  • Class two will cover interventions such as instrumental delivery, emergency c section and induction of labour. It will also start the postnatal journey of the mother.

  • Class three will focus on the baby with practical babycare demonstrations, and a focus on infant mental health.

For an overview of the programme content please click here.

All classes are designed to complement and build on the information in the eLearning hub and you will find them more beneficial if you have reviewed the relevant modules before your classes. 

The NMH Guide to Labour and Delivery:

The NMH Guide to Caring for Yourself and Your Baby after Birth:

To book your set of three classes email: classes@nmh.ie or call Susan (01) 637 3499.

When emailing, please include the following information:

  • The name you used to register with the hospital
  • When you are due (Estimated Delivery Date - EDD)
  • Date of birth
  • Your Hospital number 
  • Whether it is your first baby
  • If there is anything in particular we need to know about you

If you do not receive a reply from us, please check your spam folder as there is sometimes an issue with hotmail, yahoo and gmail. 

Virtual "Partners" class

This is an online class for partners only. It is designed to give partners the opportunity to ask questions and clarify information. It is open to partners who have attended other antenatal education classes, and those who were unable to attend classes. The format is flexible and will be guided by the questions and interactions that occur within each class.

It is held once a month 17.00-19.00 hrs. 

Young Mums and Dads

These are classes aimed at the younger mother and father (late teens to approximately 21 years of age).

They are small, in person, interactive classes facilitated by a midwife. The aim is that you will come to two classes; the first will focus on labour and the second will focus on babycare.

Feel free to bring a friend/support person if your partner can't come.

Each class lasts approximately 2 hours. Its a great opportunity to ask questions and meet other young parents.

For further information: email Susan classes@nmh.ie

When enquiring, please include:

  • Name you are registered under.
  • DOB.
  • Expected date of delivery.
  • Hospital number (if you have it).

Refresher class for women who have a child already

This class is designed for women and partner/support person: who have had a previous vaginal delivery and aims to help prepare for this pregnancy's labour and delivery. It is a three hour interactive class and can be done online or in person. It is run twice a month alternating the online and in person (face to face) option. It is facilitated by a midwife.

When booking the session, please include the following:

  • Name you are registered to the hospital under.
  • Hospital number.
  • Estimated date of delivery
  • Is there anything significant we need to know about your previous/current pregnacy?

We offer a stand alone babycare class for those who would like a babycare refresher.

VBAC class: Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section class

This class is designed to support women and partners who have had a previous caesarean section and are hoping for a vaginal delivery in this pregnancy. This is known as a VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Caesarean section.

It is a three hour class which aims to empower women to maximise their chances of a vaginal delivery, and is facilitated by a midwife.

It is held approximately twice a month and you have the option to attend either an online or in person (face to face) class. We aim to alternate the in-person class with the online class to facilitate choice.

Partners/support person welcome.

When booking into the class please include:

  • Name you are registered to the hospital under.
  • Hospital number.
  • DOB.
  • Estimated date of delivery
  • Is there anything significant we need to know about your previous/current pregnacy?
Preparation for an elective caesarean section

This class is designed for women and their partner/support person where it has been decided that an elective caesarean section is the most likely delivery method.

It is facilitated by a midwife and aims to prepare women for their Caesarean Section. It is a three hour online class, and is held once a month.

Partners are welcome.

When booking the class, please include.

  • Name you are registered to the hospital under.
  • Hospital number.
  • DOB.
  • Estimated date of delivery
  • Is there anything significant we need to know about your previous/current pregnacy?
Introduction to Hypnobirthing

This is a four hour, interactive, online class, designed to introduce women and their partners to the principles of hypnobirthing. It builds on the skills you will have learnt about in the "preperation for childbirth" "refresher" or "VBAC" classes, and aims to instill a greater confidence in you in preperation for your birthing journey.

It is recommended that first time parents do the "Preperation for labour and childbirth" class before the Introduction to Hypnobirthing, however this is not essential.

Partners are encouraged to attend. It is held once a month.

Twins class

This class is designed to help a woman and her partner who are expecting twins, navigate pregnancy and childbirth. It is a three hour, online class and runs approximately once a month. 

Preparation for breastfeeding class

This class is facilitated by lactation consultants and will help start a positive breastfeeding journey. Further information is available on the Breastfeeding page.

  • In person: On the first Friday of every month. It takes place in the Lecture Theatre in 65/66 Mount St from 12.30-14.30.
  • Virtual class: On the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Via Webex from 18.00-20.00.

Partners are encouraged to attend. 

Colostrum Harvesting Information Session

An Information Session on Colostrum Harvesting is held from 9.30 - 10.30am every Friday, in the Boardroom* at The National Maternity Hospital.

*Except for the following Fridays: 1st March, 10th May, 21st June, 11th October and 22nd November. On those dates, the Information Session on Colostrum Harvesting will be held in the Outpatients Department (OPD).

No booking is required.

Free Colostrum Harvesting Kits are available at this session.

Mental wellbeing classes

Our Perinatal Mental Team have developed two classes focussing on mental wellbeing in pregnancy and beyond.

  • 'Healthy Minds in Pregnancy' 

    This is a practical class where you will have the opportunity to participate and practice anxiety management tools. To get the most from this class please log on from a comfortable, private space. This class takes place on the 4th Friday of each month.

  • 'Supporting your Postnatal Emotional Wellbeing" (participants are invited to  join this class during pregnancy, and also in the postnatal period). This class is on once a month on a Wednesday morning.

Email classes@nmh.ie for more details and an invite.

"Healthy Bodies After Birth" class

The "Healthy Bodies After Birth" class is facilitated by a chartered physiotherapist. It is held online, via webex, every Friday morning 11.00-12.30. It is suitable for all women towards the end of  pregnancy or in the first three months after birth.

Physiotherapy page : https://www.nmh.ie/support-services/physiotherapy.13642.html

To book: email njordan@nmh.ie

Dietitian class

Our "Tus Maith" ("Good Start") iclass is held once a month. This class is provided for women with a BMI of over 25 and is facilitated by a midwife and dietitian. 

To book: email dietitian@nmh.ie

Antenatal videos in conjunction with whatsupmum

Antenatal videos in conjunction with Whatsupmum

We have been working with Whatsupmum to bring you short, focused, educational videos, which you can watch in your own time. We hope that you will find them helpful and would love to hear your feedback.

For Pregnancy related videos, please visit  https://whatsupmum.ie/pregnancy-videos/pregnancy-videos/

For Parent Craft videos, please visit https://whatsupmum.ie/parentcraft-classes/parentcraft-class/

Information for patients on blood group and transfusions

Information for patients on blood group and transfusions
If Your Blood Group is RhD-negative

A leaflet is available to explain the standard of care given to pregnant women who have been identified as having an RhD-negative blood group.

Blood Transfusion Information for Patients

Leaflets are also available to help explain blood transfusions for mothers and babies and why you may need one.