Why should you choose
The Village Midwife
antenatal course?

Antenatal classes with a difference, taught by real midwives.

Find your village

  • Our antenatal course covers what your choices are in pregnancy, labour and as a new parent from the perspective of an honest, friendly midwife. Plus, you’ll make a group of local friends who are also preparing to meet their baby!

    Our reviews speak for themselves - this really is an antenatal course with a difference

    Making a group of local friends during an antenatal course is a given, but you deserve to come away feeling informed and positive about your birth experience too!

    • It’s written, developed and taught by a midwife, unlike lots of antenatal courses out there. We believe that it’s important that you know how to navigate the maternity system and what actually helps during labour as most people give birth within the NHS! Someone with experience in the maternity system is best placed to help you with this and can help prepare you for whatever happens.

    • It’s 50% focused on giving birth and different birth experiences and 50% focused on postnatal, feeding and baby care as we believe preparation for the postnatal period is equally as important!

    • You know who your antenatal teacher is before you sign up! An important part of the course is the support you get from the midwife running your course so this is important! Check out the about me sections for our locations around the UK to get to know who’s in your area!

    • The antenatal course helps you know what all of your choices are around birth, the postnatal period and feeding your baby. We believe that decisions should be presented in a non-judgemental way and that you deserve all of the information! All births are different but you deserve to feel in control and supported whatever you decide and whatever happens.

    • You get a fab group of friends expecting a baby at the same time as you in your area which is important, especially during maternity leave!

    • Our course is super inclusive! All types of family are welcome and there are no old-fashioned patriarchal messages here! Birth partners are prepared just as much for birth and the postnatal period and given important tools to help!

      If you want to find out more about parents’ experience of the antenatal & postnatal course though, check out our reviews over on our Facebook page, our Trustpilot page and on Google!

    • All types of birth experience, including what happens during vaginal, caesarean and assisted births, how to prepare for giving birth to your baby, and how to write preferences for every birth. Our aim is that you are aware of all of your options in every scenario and also what it may feel like for you and your birth partner

    • How to make your labour as comfortable as possible and how to optimise it to get the birth you want. We cover how to keep active during labour, including using a birth ball and rebozo scarf plus massage techniques for pregnancy and labour - equipping your birth partner as well as you!

    • The many choices you will most likely come across during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period and how to effectively navigate the current NHS maternity system for the most positive birth and postnatal experience possible. We understand the busy system, having worked in it - and can give tips on how to get the best out of your experience

    • The birth partner’s vital role throughout the labour process and the postnatal period with lots of tips and tricks to help you in this all important role. We encourage birth partners to come to every session and be actively involved, and solo mums are encouraged to bring along whoever will be supporting them during labour and the first few weeks

    • Postnatal recovery after vaginal and caesarean births and how to prepare for the postnatal period, including writing a postnatal plan to support your own recovery. We discuss what might be happening physically and emotionally and share lots of midwife tips for caring for yourself in this period of recovery post birth

    • Different methods of feeding your baby, including how to establish breastfeeding and common issues that can occur in the first few weeks e.g. tongue tie, milk supply issues, pain when feeding, weight loss in newborns and more. We also discuss formula feeding, how to bottle feed and using breast pumps to express milk for your baby and how to figure out a plan that works best for you with feeding

    • We cover all aspects of newborn baby care - including bathing baby, a rundown on the latest evidence surrounding skin care, using nappies in a way that avoids leaks, how to dress your baby in different temperatures, safe use of a stretchy sling with a newborn, caring for their umbilical cord stump and what checks will be offered in the first few weeks of their life

    • Plus- you get ongoing support via WhatsApp from a midwife as well as a thorough handout with all of the information in to refer back to which is invaluable! We also have online videos, lots of follow up links and info as well as a very handy TVM cotton tote bag!

  • Check your local page (see below) for the price of your local antenatal course as they vary slightly by area. Most people just pay a deposit when booking their local course which secures their place. The remaining course fee is due closer to your antenatal course starting.

    If you would like to do the antenatal course but finances are an issue- please don’t hesitate to message us as we have The Village Midwife Accessibility fund which you can access, no questions asked.

    You can also pay by instalments of your choosing - just email admin@thevillagemidwife.co.uk for more info!

    We also have a 35% single parent discount (our founder Sophie was a single parent and you would be more than welcome on a course on your own as well as in a couple) and a £25 discount for NHS staff

  • You can contact me (Sophie) on Instagram or drop me an email at sophie@thevillagemidwife.co.uk

    You can also drop us an email, our team is made up of Rebecca who can be reached at admin@thevillagemidwife.co.uk and Robyn who can either be reached at robyn@thevillagemidwife.co.uk or using our contact form!

  • Scroll down for our locations and scroll through our reviews below for recent experiences of local parents to you. If you need help finding your closest course. drop us a message using our contact form

Find your village

Our antenatal course covers what your choices are
in pregnancy and labour.

  • "The course was excellent - Jenni was a wonderful teacher and an endless source of wisdom and encouragement. She put everyone at ease and delivered the course in a very relaxed and accessible way, always making it engaging."

    Genny - Oxfordshire

  • "The course content was extremely informative without being too over powering and Lisa delivered in a really interactive way with a mixture of practical exercises and listening. We came away feeling very well prepared - would highly recommend anyone thinking about this to book now!"

    CR - Worcester

  • "I cannot recommend the Village Midwife enough. Not only has it introduced me to a community of amazing parents, but it armed me with all the knowledge I needed during my pregnancy. Unlike other courses like NCT, it helps to empower woman and know their rights. When to fight back if the care you are receiving isn't good enough, and helps to quantify what is normal in a time which can be completely bamboozling as a new parent"

    Kate - Somerset

  • "Sophie's antenatal group sessions were brilliant. She created a warm environment, shared her expertise and left us feeling empowered heading into the birth of our baby. We also really valued the baby care information too, such as how to use a sling and different feeding options."

    Michaela - Buckinghamshire

  • "My husband and I attended the course with Nikki in North Hants in her cosy barn conversion. She was incredibly knowledgeable, you could tell she was passionate about supporting expecting mums and found a perfect balance between focusing on more "natural" births and offering all the info needed on all types of medications and being prepared. Each session has a distinct theme and we had 2 visitors as well. She setup a Whatsapp group with other mums and to offer advice going forward which is appreciated. Highly recommended!"

    R Seddon - Hampshire

  • "Highly recommend! We took The Village Midwife course in Old Dalby with Laura and cannot recommend it enough to any parents-to-be. We took so much away from the course. Laura was extremely approachable, welcomed questions and shared such a wealth of knowledge (both in the classes and extensive information and links were provided via email to refer back on as well). We are feeling so much more informed and prepared for the birth experience and arrival of our first baby. Thank you so much Laura!"

    Poppy - Melton Mowbray

  • "My husband and I attended Nikki’s classes in North Hampshire (Kingsclere). We found the course really informative and now feel well prepared for both the birth and postnatal period. Nikki was also able to give us invaluable insights into what to expect at the hospital as she is an experienced midwife herself. The course is held in a lovely relaxed setting with tea and lovely cakes! We’re really pleased that we chose this course and that we got to have Nikki leading it"

    Lou - Hampshire

  • "A massive thank you to Lisa. We have just finished our antenatal classes with her and we have learnt so much. Her wealth of knowledge from years of experience working as a midwife meant that she was able to answer all questions and give us honest advice on our future births. Lisa extends her support outside of the group sessions and it was fabulous to have a chat when things started to get slightly complicated in my pregnancy. You can tell that Lisa is passionate about the work she does and that makes the sessions interesting and informative."

    Amelia - Worcester

  • "My husband and I attended the course run by Nikki (North Hants) and it was excellent. She ran the course in a lovely and relaxed setting and the small group size made it so much more intimate. She gave us reams of information but without it being overwhelming. We came away feeling very informed (and I felt much calmer for it). The sessions involved interactive activities and there was always time for questions. We have nothing but positive things to say about the course content and Nikki and we would absolutely recommend this course to anyone."

    Alee - North Hants

  • "Incredible course! We found the course absolutely invaluable. Sophie was relaxed, fun, informative and so generous with her time. Every question we had was answered, the course booklet is a phenomenal resource covering everything you could wish to know about pregnancy, labour and beyond, and Sophie’s passion for midwifery is present in everything she says and does."

    Rebecca - Buckinghamshire

  • "Booking myself onto a course with The Village Midwife was one of the best decisions I've made. The course was so comprehensive and so well delivered. I will forever be grateful to Jenni, who delivered the course, for her words of encouragement in a difficult moment in my pregnancy. The best thing has been the connections with the other mums. The support I got through the WhatsApp group and in person meet ups has been so invaluable! I have already recommended this course to a pregnant colleague and I would recommend it to anyone!"

    Francesca - Oxfordshire

  • "A fantastic course that I would recommend to everyone. Sophie is absolutely amazing and informative. She also comes with a winning personality. If you’re thinking about booking, just book. You won’t regret it."

    Jake - Buckinghamshire

  • "My partner and I took part in Taunton Village Midwife and have enjoyed every part of it. Thank you to Kate for guiding us through this amazing adventure. We have learned so much and are now feeling ready and excited for our due date. Kate is passionate in what she does and it is a joy to hear her transfer her knowledge and experience to us new parents. The Village Midwife is also a great way to meet new parents. I would recommend an antenatal class with Kate to any new parents"

    Rebecca - Somerset

  • "We’re soon to be first time parents and were feeling very anxious on labour and the first few weeks after birth but we’ve come away from the classes feeling so much more relaxed and confident! Each session was informative and interactive and Nikki was a brilliant teacher! She encouraged us to ask questions and share any worries or concerns we had. Even after our sessions have finished, Nikki followed up with emails with lots of information regarding each session, with links to review. I can't recommend these sessions enough!"

    Paris - North Hants

  • "Jenni was an absolute superstar - she was incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, supportive and fun! We learnt so much more than we thought we were going to, and have come away feeling 10 times more confident about our choices, the journey we're embarking on and what to do if (when!) things don't go to plan. Thank you Jenni!"

    Steffi & Ben - Oxfordshire

  • "Our midwife Lisa was AMAZING and we could not have wished for more from this course! She always went above and beyond to help us all and the sessions were so informative and enjoyable. It was a perfect mix of practical and non-practical activities with time to answer the questions on our mind. Lisa is one of those people you are lucky to meet, so kind, caring, experienced and passionate about what she does. Thank you for everything."

    C - Worcester

  • "We had a course in Northchurch with Aimee Lennox. The course was really well run and had lots of valuable information, which answered so many questions we had in the run up to the birth. It was also a lovely way to meet other couples who were expecting. Would definitely recommend!!"

    Maggie - Berkhamsted

  • "Both my husband and I found the course extremely informative and it gave us a realistic but optimistic view of labor. Sophie is highly knowledgeable and has loads of experience as a midwife. She delivered the information in an easy to understand format with a good sense of humour that kept the sessions enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, Sophie. We would highly recommend this course to any new parents."

    Samantha - High Wycombe

  • "I cannot recommend Sophie, The Village Midwife enough. The prenatal course has left my partner and I feeling really confident when it comes to giving birth to our first child. Sophie is realistic, honest but extremely positive and empowering and our whole group felt the same way. We are looking forward to attending the postnatal course once our baby arrives. My parents have even booked onto the course for Grandparents!"

    Emma - High Wycombe

  • "Having a baby wouldn’t have been this easy without The Village Midwife. We felt happy & confident after everything we learned. We were always very relaxed about how the birth would end up being but Sophie prepared us with advice and knowledge for every possible outcome. We also booked in for a 1-1 hypnobirthing session which was super helpful! When we had our baby girl, it wasn’t the way we had dreamed but it all worked out and we felt empowered with knowledge throughout!"

    Alice - Amersham. Bucks

  • "I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Aimee who ran our Village Midwife course in Berkhamsted. She was so approachable and made the course interactive, fun and full of information. I was so worried about finding a course that would be welcoming and not judgemental. I come with an enormous medical history. Aimee was nothing but kind, she listened and made everyone feel included and unique. I am so grateful that we found her. Although still nervous I feel informed and excited for the months ahead. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

    Sam and Sarah - Berkhamsted

  • "Fantastic experience. I'm heading into birth more confident than when I started and I've acquired knowledge to take forward into early parenthood. Aimee is a super knowledgeable and experienced midwife."

    Emma - Leighton Buzzard

  • "My wife and I had our antenatal and postnatal class with Kate in Taunton. Kate's knowledge of the subject is very deep and she has great enthusiasm for all things to do with birth. She helped us with our many questions and the content of the course was invaluable in helping us to prepare our birth plan. Moreover, we were well prepared for all of the different scenarios that can occur with a birth. I particularly recommend this course because Kate is a practicing midwife and has first hand experience."

    John - Taunton