As expectant parents you will benefit from thorough antenatal classes – which run as small group or 1:1 sessions and which will also be available as an online course this year. As a professionally-trained and experienced antenatal teacher, my sessions are about working with all parents so this includes getting you better prepared for induction, for a caesarean, as well as for birth after loss.
My antenatal sessions are not only about knowledge and skills – they are also about assertiveness, confidence, having realistic expectations and feeling equipped to cope with the challenges. I aim to better prepare you with your options for straight-forward birth as well as the questions to ask so you know more about your options if you need additional monitoring, an induction or a caesarean when your options could be different.
WHO DO I WORK WITH?
FIRST-TIME PARENTS – I have designed thorough sessions and resources for parents who are preparing for labour & birth for the first time. This is about gathering knowledge, practical skills and knowing more about options, what can make a difference in labour and realistic preparation.
SECOND-TIME PARENTS – In addition to first time parents, I also work with a lot of parents who are pregnant again. Some parents book onto the antenatal course or they book a combination of Relax & Breathe and 1:1 sessions – it can be about refreshing your knowledge, knowing your options, talking through your previous birth and focusing on your individual need for information, support and reassurance.
PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BABYLOSS – I specialise in providing birth preparation for parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or babyloss. Some parents book onto an antenatal course, knowing I run small groups and sensitive sessions, while other parents prefer private 1:1 sessions.
MY PREGNANCY & BIRTH SERVICES…
The Antenatal Course – a thorough and informal course to provide you with knowledge, practical skills, discussion, a chance to ask questions and ongoing support as you need it…
about everything from early labour to life with your new baby | 5 sessions | ideal for all expectant parents
Relax & Breathe for Pregnancy & Birth – to focus on using and developing effective relaxation and breathing techniques for you to…
stay calm and to have more control in labour | work with your contractions | manage your energy | stay focused | get your head ready for labour & birth | manage any anxiety or panic
for all expectant parents and for all births
1:1 Birth Preparation – private sessions to focus on your need for information, support and reassurance for…
labour and birth | birth after loss | birth again | complicated birth | induction | caesarean | a birth peptalk
for all expectant parents
Beyond Birth – private sessions to better prepare you for life with your new baby…
what to expect from your new baby, what your baby needs and what you need in those early days and weeks
My antenatal classes and 1:1 sessions are held in the centre of North Shields and they are attended by expectant parents from across Tyneside, Newcastle and Northumberland.
Booking onto any of these antenatal sessions also includes:
*the Practical Guides To Labour & Birth
*a toolkit of resources to use at home and in labour
*ongoing information/support
*email/phone support in labour and during the first week with
your new baby
With Janine Smith
A specialist in pregnancy & birth, early parenting and parent wellbeing
I have worked with parents since 2002 and, as a practitioner with professional training and experience, I am trusted to provide a balance of reliable knowledge, non-judgemental support and much needed reassurance.
My approach is not to tell you what to do – it is to listen, to provide you with the opportunity to ask questions, it is about providing ideas and information, helping you to formulate plans and to find what works for you and for your family.
The focus is on your wellbeing in pregnancy, for birth, as a parent and as you, the person behind the parent and I have created informal but effective small group and 1:1 sessions to benefit you.