Parent education

Please note this service is currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We apologise but hope you understand why we are unable to provide this at this time. Please click the yellow banner above for Covid-19 information.

Please note this service is currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are currently reviewing this. Please check our Maternity Facebook page (https://en-gb.facebook.com/Harrogatematernity/) for regular updates or discuss with your community midwife.

Antenatal education is an important and valued element of our maternity services at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. Preparation for birth can positively impact birth outcomes and experiences, enhancing the transition to parenthood.

Mums and Partners Day – a discussion for preparing for becoming parents (click to download)

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we currently have our Parent Education video classes online.

Parent Education Classes

We offer midwife-led educational and preparation classes for parents. We welcome and encourage birth partners to attend; however, due to space restrictions we ask that this is limited to one birth partner per woman.

Antenatal Classes

Our Antenatal Classes run on Satrudays or Sundays from 10am to 4pm Although you can attend antenatal classes at any time during your pregnancy, we recommend that it is best to attend between 28-34 weeks.

Classes take place on the first and third Saturday and second Sunday of the month and take place in the Education Centre, 3rd Floor, Strayside Wing, harrogate District Hospital.

Due to the popularity of our classes, we recommend booking online as soon as possible.  Booking is available online, you will  receive a confirmation email when you book and a reminder the week before your class.

Our classes aim to be informative, fun and interactive. We also believe that the social element of classes is very important and we hope that it will provide the perfect opportunity for you to meet other local parents-to-be.

Active Birth

Our Active Birth Classes discuss the stages of labour, and how you can manage both at home and in hospital:

  • Learn about key hormones and how your birthing body works
  • Find out more about the benefits of remaining upright and active in labour
  • Discover the benefits of massage, relaxation and the use of warm water
  • Explore your expectations about labour and discuss the role of the birth partner

Pain Relief & When Nature Needs a Hand

  • Discover more about your pain relief options both at home and in hospital
  • This course also aims to offer you information for the times when nature may need a hand, for example learn about the induction of labour and assisted births

Meeting Your Baby & The Early Days

Discover what to expect from your new baby and how to care for him or her:

  • Find out all about attachment and bonding, and how this affects your baby’s development
  • Learn about the importance of Breastfeeding
  • Receive practical advice including bathing your baby, feeding, winding and keeping your baby safe
  • Explore how relationships may change during the transition to parenthood

Classes are free but we ask for a small donation for refreshments to help us buy additional resources for the classes.

Saturday Workshop

Our Saturday Workshop incorporates the above three classes into one day. The workshop takes place from 9.30am-4pm with a break for lunch (not provided). The Saturday Workshop is available at both Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital.

Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop

Breastfeeding workshops are available at any point in pregnancy to suit you. Please feel free to attend with your partner or a family member or friend so that they may learn to support you and your baby. The workshops are held on one Tuesday (6-8pm) and one Wednesday (7-9pm) a month. Women only classes are available from Ripon Community Hospital once a month on a Friday. To book please call in office hours or 01423 553051 or e mail [email protected].

Key staff

Parent Education Midwife: Rachel Robson
Infant Feeding Coordinator: Jo Orgles

Email us: [email protected]