How are birth contractions working?
The balloon and the ping pong ball

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How are birth contractions working?
The balloon and the ping pong ball
WHAT WILL I LEARN
This Lushtums comprehensive antenatal course is fully accredited through FEDANT, the UK’s antenatal education body. It is delivered by FEDANT accredited teacher Kelly McDonald.
Antenatal classes take place in two formats.
1 - over 4 weeks 6.30-8.30pm.
2 - Saturday 10-3pm with lunch included.
My classes are small groups and tailored to your individual needs to ensure that you're questions are answered..
Every week we have time for refreshments and a check in with everyone. Support and advice is available inbetween classes and after the course is complete via a friendly whattssap group.
We cover EVERYTHING that you need to know to prepare for birth, including preparing for the 4th trimester.
The signs labour is starting
The stages of labour, how things typically progress
What is a contraction?
The science behind what your body is doing and techniques to help you cope
The role of hormones and the importance of the positive feedback loop The effects of fear on the process
Using the breath, yoga positions and mindfulness as a toolkit for labour (complements the Hypno-Birthing approach)
Clear explanations of all possible medical interventions and pain relief options - and why these sometimes have a much needed place
How to make decisions and give meaningful informed consent in the moment - and why it is this that goes towards creating a more positive experience
How long things might take, when to call, what to pack in your bag
Where to birth choices - home, midwife led unit or hospital
Essential birth partner tips - what to do, when
The 4th trimester - early days with your newborn, what to expect - feeding, sleeping, baby care, mum’s self care and returning safely to exercise.
Once you reach 12 weeks, it is recommended that you sign up for an Antenatal Education Course to learn all about labour, birth and preparing for life with a newborn. Education is key and knowledge is power. Plan to attend a course ideally between 24-34 weeks as this gives you plenty of time to learn everything, prepare fully and practice the techniques that you can use throughout labour. Don't worry if you have left it later than this - we will do our best to squeeze you in!
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
What happens at a baby massage class
By the end of the 5 week programme you will be able to provide your baby with:
Full body massage
Sleep routine
Cold relief routine
Colic / Wind / Constipation routine
Teething routine
Our baby massage sequences are research based and combine baby massage, acupressure and reflexology. Baby massage may:
Help babies to relax and sleep better
Provide relief from colic
Help with digestive issues such as constipation
Alleviate pain (such as that caused by teething)
Positively impact the mood of the parent
Promote weight gain in pre-term infants
After the massage we have time for a cuppa and chat! Classes are alternated between Belfast and Greenisland.
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
Kelly McDonald
I live in Greenisland, Co Antrim with my husband and 3 kids. I have been working with parents and parents-to-be since 2014. I regularly provide support and facilitate peer support groups for these families. My passion is pregnancy and birth and giving support to woman during these times. This is what encouraged me to begin antenatal teaching with LushTums. I provide independent, small group antenatal classes to expectant parents in Belfast and surrounding areas.
More recently in Autumn 2021 I qualified as a Baby massage instructor with Settled Petals Academy.
It is amazing to be able to work with so many expectant parents and parents of new babies.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and I hope to see you at a class soon.
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
What have other mums said
'Getting time to bond with my baby! Enjoyed to chat at the start and end of the class with other mums.'
' Nice atmosphere for babies and mums. Enjoyed the time to chat and have a cuppa at the end.'
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
Upcoming dates
4 week courses
Wednesday 9 March - Wednesday 30 March 2022 incl if you are due in April, May or June 2022.
Wednesday 20 April - Wednesday 11 May 2022 incl if you are due in June, July or August 2022.
Wednesday 8 June - Wednesday 29 June 2022 incl if you are due July, August or September 2022.
1 day Saturday courses
Saturday 26 February 2022 (1 day class) if you are due in March, April or May 2022.
Saturday 2 April 2022 (1 day class) if you are due end April, May or June 2022.
Saturday 21 May (1 day class) if you are due in June, July or August 2022.
Saturday 2 July (1day class) if you are due in late July, August, September or early October 2022.
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
Antenatal | Birth preparation classes
Prepare for the most important journey in your life by booking a place on an upcoming antenatal classes .
Little Socks NI classes are run by an independent, accredited antenatal education teacher.
An antenatal class will help you and your partner to get ready for labour, birth, and caring for a newborn baby.
Most people say going to classes helps them feel more confident as the birth approaches.
With our friendly WhatsApp group and a coffee meet up when babies are born, you can get continued support and chat.
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/
WHAT WILL I LEARN
We cover EVERYTHING that you need to know to prepare for birth, including preparing for the 4th trimester.
The signs labour is starting
The stages of labour, how things typically progress
What is a contraction?
The science behind what your body is doing and techniques to help you cope
The role of hormones and the importance of the positive feedback loop The effects of fear on the process
Using the breath, yoga positions and mindfulness as a toolkit for labour (complements the Hypno-Birthing approach)
Clear explanations of all possible medical interventions and pain relief options - and why these sometimes have a much needed place
How to make decisions and give meaningful informed consent in the moment - and why it is this that goes towards creating a more positive experience
How long things might take, when to call, what to pack in your bag
Where to birth choices - home, midwife led unit or hospital
Essential birth partner tips - what to do, when
The 4th trimester - early days with your newborn, what to expect - feeding, sleeping, baby care, mum’s self care and returning safely to exercise.
https://littlesocksni.co.uk/