In this lesson we will discuss the following topics: 

• Packing your birth bags 
• Choosing where to give birth
• Communicating your birth preferences effectively
• Your health and wellbeing in the 3rd trimester

There are a number of tools to support you, including: 

• Pregnancy checklist
• Birth bags packing list
• Choosing where to give birth tool
• Birth environment checklist
• Birth preferences template

Unless you have been advised differently by your midwife or doctor, generally the best place for you during early labour is at home. It can be frustrating to turn up at your chosen birthplace, only to be told 'you're not in established labour' and be sent home. This lesson will explore what early labour is, coping strategies to help you stay at home and when to go to your chosen birth unit (or call the midwives to come to your home).  

• Practical tips for the latent phase of labour
• The role of your birth partner
• Natural coping strategies and medication options for labour
• When to call your midwife 

There are a number of tools to support you, including: 

• Birth positions booklet
• Birth partners strengths exercise
• Birth positions video
• Massage techniques for labour video

In this lesson, we explore physiological labour and the birth of your baby. Expanding on some of the topics already covered in the first two lessons. 

• What to expect in each stage of labour: your body and your care
• The role of your birth partner
• The first few hours with your baby
• Monitoring offered during labour

We refer back to a number of tools introduced in modules one and two, such as the birth preferences template. 

This is often the module people want to avoid, but it is one of the most important ones on the course! Whilst the majority of people will have a spontaneous, vaginal birth, the statistics show that many will need medical support to birth their babies. This lesson will enable you to make informed choices if you are offered any medical interventions. It will help you create a flexible set of birth preferences for all scenarios and prepare coping strategies for all these scenarios ahead of time.

• Induction of labour, assisted births and caesarean sections
• Coping strategies for managing change
• Why babies may need a neonatal unit
• Your birth partner's role and coping strategies

We refer back to a number of tools introduced in modules one and two, such as the birth preferences template. Additional tools to support this lesson include: 

• B.R.A.I.N decision-making tool

The babies have arrived and they're hungry! There is a lot to consider, and it can be tough for new parents. Whether you've chosen to breast or bottle feed your baby, this lesson will help you build strong foundations for your feeding journey, and empower you to seek help when needed. 

• The early weeks of feeding a newborn
• Managing common feeding problems effectively, including coping strategies
• Expressing, formula and combination feeding 
• The role of your support network

There are a number of tools to support you, including:

• Breastfeeding goals template
• Feeding checklist

Having a baby brings one of the biggest periods of change we experience in life. Change isn't always easy - no matter how positive the reason! In this module we encourage you to explore how this may impact you, your life, your relationships. Discussing these topics early empowers you to implement coping strategies as you manage the transition to parenthood!

• Tools to support your emotional health and wellbeing as a new parent
• Preparation for the transition to parenthood 
• Relationship changes: partner, family and friends
• Communication and working as a team

Our final module explores how to care for your newborn in the early weeks. We explore how to get to know them as an individual and understand their unique needs.  

• Responding to your baby's needs and the benefits of responsive parenting
• Why babies cry and how to support them
• Newborn health, sleep and SIDS prevention
• Keeping your baby clean, including nappies and bathtime

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