NCT Relax, Stretch and Breathe classes

What we do is based on very gentle yoga techniques, and although we call it Relax, Stretch and Breathe the emphasis is on the relaxation and the breathing, with a bit of stretching thrown in! The format is generally a 15 minute chat to start with on some topic relevant to pregnancy or birth, then a short-ish relaxation, then 15 minutes each of lying poses, sitting poses, kneeling poses and standing poses, integrating a lot of breathing exercises. We always then discuss positions for birth, I read a positive birth story and we have another, longer relaxation. There is time for 15-20 minutes coffee and informal chat at the end, and sometimes we use this time for former class attendees to bring in their babies and tell their stories.

The classes are held on a Thursday from 7-9pm the the Sports Centre at Blessed George Napier school in Addison Road, Banbury OX16 9DG. The classes cost £8 each. You're welcome to come along to try one out, but after that we ask that women who are less than 36 weeks pregnant pay in four week blocks, of £32. If you can't make a session, let me know and I can carry over payment to the next week. Ask me for the NCT's concessions policy if you feel you may be eligible: this brings the minimium payment to 80p per session!

Please wear stretchy trousers and bring a pillow. Booking is direct through me, by email.

NCT classic antenatal classes

The course aims to help parents-to-be in their preparation for parenthood, while never losing site of the fact that many people are also here to meet others in the same situation! We aim to be as relevant to fathers as we are to mothers, while acknowledging that in some cases the mother-to-be may prefer to have someone other than her baby’s father accompany her to the course – this is absolutely fine!

Each individual group determines the emphasis placed on particular course content, although topics that are usually covered include:

· What happens in a normal labour and birth

· Options for different birth places and environments

· Relaxation, breathing and massage

· Positions for labour and birth

· Pain relief – both natural and medical methods

· Interventions during birth, including induction and caesareans

· The role of the birthing partner

· Newborn behaviour

· Feeding your baby (concentrating largely on breastfeeding)

· Feelings about becoming a family


Your NCT teacher’s role is to offer support, information, practical skills and resources to help you make your own informed choices for yourself and your baby. She is not there to tell you what to do or how to do it!

Although we will be focussing on several different topics during each session, there are a number of themes that recur, and you will get the most out of the course if you are able to attend every session. If you anticipate not being able to attend, and tell the teacher in advance, alternative arrangements may be able to be made for you.

Please note that our teachers and breastfeeding counsellors undergo a thorough training with the NCT, although they are not normally medically qualified. All teachers and counsellors are expected to keep up to date with research and developments in their fields and they are registered annually with the Trust. They do not offer medical advice and parents are asked to take questions about medical care of mother and baby to their midwife, health visitor or doctor.

Booking is through our local NCT parent services administrator, by email.