✓ Small, interactive, empowering courses.
✓ Share your experiences with other expectant parents.
✓ Run by licenced, university-qualified, experienced antenatal teachers in venues around Dublin.

So much information is thrown at you during pregnancy that it can be really hard to know what suits you.  Cuidiú antenatal courses help parents work out how they would like to approach labour and birth, rather than telling them the‘right’ way. 
Course can be undertaken from 26 to 38 weeks of pregnancy.

There are different types of group courses available:
✓ One-day and/or two-day Saturday and/or weekend courses.
✓ Weekly evening courses of 4, 6 or 8 sessions. 
✓ Two-day Saturday format including a 2-hour evening session on breastfeeding & a 2-hour evening session on Relax Stretch & Breathe (women only).
✓ Refresher courses
Private, one-to-one, tailored sessions for individual mothers and/or mothers with partners at our venues or in your own home can also be arranged.

Our courses focus on providing you with the evidence-based information and the skills you need to make decisions about your labour and birth. All our teachers facilitate through the principals of adult education.
Classes are interactive and participative with lots of time for questions and for practicing skills needed for labour and early babyhood. Participants help set the agenda at the beginning of each course so what's covered reflects what YOU want covered.

Some of the topics we cover include*:
✓ Practical skills for labour, including breathing, massage and birth positions.
✓ Your pain relief choices and what to expect for a hospital birth.
✓ Realistic information on what happens during birth.
✓ What partners need to know.
✓ Early days with your baby – caring for your newborn and the emotional side of having a baby. 
✓ Getting breastfeeding off to a good start. (Most courses include a session with a qualified breastfeeding counsellor either during the course or separately at a breastfeeding morning.)
✓ Time to ask questions, get to know to others in group sizes of 3 – 6 couples only (max 8 couples).

*Contact your nearest teacher for detailed information.

“I was really impressed with the range of information. She knew her stuff and how to pass it on too. Never boring. Feel much more prepared for birth now, not so fearful!” - Jill

“I wasn’t too sure about going to the class. We did the hospital classes too but this was no comparison. If you’re first time dad, this class should be mandatory! Learned lot more than I expected. Thanks.”- Paul

Courses are open to mothers to attend on their own or with whoever they choose–their partner, birth companion, friend or family member.  Some teachers facilitate their courses in their own homes.

Course fee includes membership of Cuidiú for a year, a class reunion and a comprehensive information pack. In some areas, labour ward tours are arranged and lunch may be provided or a shared lunch on full-day courses. Health Insurance Providers may reimburse some cost depending on plan.
Postnatal support with Cuidiú for breastfeeding and parenting is always available. All Cuidiú events are open to
non-breastfeeding parents also.