Antenatal Education & Preparation

In response to the current covid 19 pandemic, the antenatal education team has had to dramatically change the way antenatal education classes are provided. A multidisciplinary team have developed an eLearning Hub, which is located on this site.  We recommend all women to access this educational hub and would appreciate your feedback.

Webinars

We are providing interactive online antenatal classes via webex.

These include:

• Early pregnancy class
• First time mothers/parents preperation for labour and delivery class
• Babycare and postnatal classes
• Refresher class
• VBAC (vaginal delivery after c section) class
• Elective section class (for women who know they will be having a planned c section)
• Introduction to hypnobirthing class
• Partners class
• Twins class
• Young mum’s classes (women aged 18-21yrs)
• Preparation for Breastfeeding class (led by lactation consultant)

We  respond to women’s and their partners' feedback; adapting and reviewing this new service on an ongoing basis. 

We suggest that approximately 30 weeks is a good time to do your labour antenatal education webinar, and the babycare/postanatal class can be done later in the pregnancy. 

To enhance your learning experience, we suggest you review the material on our eLearning Hub prior to the classes. It is also helpful if you download the webex app before the class.

To book your place, please email classes@nmh.ie 

When emailing, please include:

• When you are due (EDD)
• Hospital number
• Is it your first baby?
• Is there anything in particular we need to know about you?

Other online classes available to you:

• Healthy bodies after birth class- led by a physiotherapist; please email njordan@nmh.ie to book
• Tus Mhaith (good start) - healthy eating  for women with a BMI over 25, please email dietitian@nmh.ie

The focus of this class is on promoting wellness and maintaining good health in pregnancy and beyond. It is aimed at women up to approximately twenty weeks gestation, however all pregnant women are welcome.

We strongly advise you to attend this class as it is an opportunity to meet a midwife, physiotherapist, dietitian and pharamacist early in your pregnancy, and can help lay the foundation for a positive experience for you and your nominated support person. 

To get the most out of this class, we recommend that you take time to go through the material available on The NMH guide to keeping well in pregnancy. 

https://rise.articulate.com/share/Yr_wlHG_80oigSWQyyddGTth_T4kJvBv#/

We currently run sets of live, virtual classes for first time parents/  women and their support partners weekly.

Classes currently consist of a "preperation for labour and childbirth" class which is best done at about 30 weeks and a "babycare/postnatal care" class which is ideal to attend later in the pregnancy. 

You can however choose to do this set of classes over one day, or split it up over two days. 

The 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 class. 

The NMH guide to Labour and delivery:

 https://rise.articulate.com/share/zMU4l-dkONipTjMMY0z3HF8NRv5EPY3u#/

The NMH guide to caring for yourself and your baby after birth:

 https://rise.articulate.com/share/rxZXr_ehil0Dh5Bh2Vc4Oo3mFJnFj_Nc#/

Please click on links below for outline of first time parents classes.

Class one:  "Labour and Delivery"

Class two: "Baby care and Postnatal care"

This is a class aimed at the younger mother and father (late teens to approximately 21 years of age).

It is a small, interactive class, facilitated by a midwife. Where possible this is done in person.

Partner/ support person encouraged  to attend.

Last approximately two-three hours. 

For further information: email Susan classes@nmh.ie

This class is designed for women who have had a previous vaginal delivery and aims to help prepare for this pregnancy's labour and delivery.

It is facilitated by a midwife 

Partners welcome.

This class is designed to support women 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.

The class aims to empower women to maximise their chances of a vaginal delivery.

It is facilitated by a midwife 

Partners welcome.

This class is designed for women 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. 

Partners are welcome.

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

this virtual class is held on the first Friday of every month at 12.45hrs 

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
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.