Antenatal education: Preparing for birth, preparing for a life
Introducing the Solihull Approach and raising emotional health from pregnancy
Our antenatal education supports parents to build an attuned and connected relationship with their baby, giving them the best start for life. Â
Evidence-based, research-informed teaching and resources prepare parents for labour, birth and early parenting, building their confidence. The Solihull Approach also recognises and supports practitioner wellbeing.Â
‘97% of expectant parents who followed our antenatal classes felt more confident about giving birth.’
According to our recent study of 2600 parents following antenatal classes in Northern Ireland
Training for antenatal and perinatal teams
Tailored foundation training to introduce early brain development, emotional health, parent bonding and relationships.
Online antenatal courses for parents, carers and grandparents
Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby: online courses on our e-learning platform inourplace for expectant parents and families to prepare with confidence.
Deliver antenatal classes that make a difference
Training and resources to deliver face-to-face or ‘live virtual’ antenatal education to expectant parents.
‘Solihull Approach antenatal education is proven to improve parent wellbeing, build confidence and reduce anxiety as well as positively influencing intentions to breastfeed, give up smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. Critically these courses support relationships and introduce ideas about parenting that help get the best outcomes for children.‘
Dr Hazel Douglas, Clinical Psychologist, Child Psychotherapist and Director of the Solihull ApproachÂ
Solihull Approach antenatal education brings together practical ideas with information about brain development and psychoanalytic theory to support emotional wellbeing of both parent and baby. Focussed on supporting the parent-infant relationship, learning is designed to help build foundations for emotional wellbeing for life. We’re here for mums, dads, grandparents and all family carers but also to equip professionals with the tools they need to raise the emotional health of parent and child.Â
‘I’m stronger than I knew and understand the support I have now.‘
Expectant mother attending antenatal groupÂ
‘I understand more about parenthood, about baby’s growth, what I need to do as a Dad.‘
Expectant father attending antenatal groupÂ
Training for antenatal and perinatal teams
Solihull Approach Foundation training is tailored for antenatal and neonatal teams. Two days of facilitated group learning focuses on:Â
- Antenatal brain development
- The Solihull Approach model of containment, reciprocity and behaviour
- Practitioner wellbeing and the parallel process
- Relationships and foundations of emotional health
Find out more about 2 Day Foundation Training for Antenatal Teams
Find out more about 2 Day Foundation Training for Perinatal Teams
Find out more about Combined 2 Day Antenatal Foundation and Parenting Facilitator Training (to deliver to antenatal group)
Deliver antenatal classes that make a difference
Solihull Approach-trained practitioners have been delivering antenatal classes in the community across the UK for more than a decade. The well-established, evidence-based course designed as a 10-week group has been described as life-changing for families; building confidence and enhancing relationships. Â
Having trained in the Solihull Approach 2-Day Foundation, practitioners can follow further short training to deliver antenatal groups for parents. A comprehensive resource pack is provided for all trained practitioners delivering the groups to share the Solihull Approach model and the antenatal education is informed by experienced health practitioners. Resources are regularly updated and enhanced to include relevant NHS guidance and support. Â
Find out more about the Antenatal group for parents
Find out more about the Postnatal group for parents
Order an Antenatal bag: everything you need to deliver an antenatal course Â