Comprehensive Antenatal Course

“I would highly recommend this course. It felt really comprehensive and in depth. It really allowed us to prepare for birth and know what to expect in the days afterwards.” Rebecca A, first baby born July 2024

“My partner and I did the Comprehensive Antenatal Course run by Sarah and I have to say it was the best thing we did to prepare ourselves! Even though we have babies in our family, there was so much we were completely unaware of. The course covers so much and each session was invaluable to us, to have the knowledge and confidence when the time came was so comforting. I was actually impressed with my partner during labour because he had everything under control for me, meanwhile I purely focused on a safe delivery of our beautiful baby girl. I have since recommended to everyone I know, it really does teach you all you need to know! Thank you Sarah :)”. Leah G, first baby born November 2023

“Sarah was fantastic, incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and professional when presenting the information. I came away amazed by what I had learnt and very much reassured in my ability to give birth/ parent. We also bonded as a whole group, and we enjoyed sharing this learning experience with other parents-to-be (and have carried on meeting since). Cannot recommend enough!” Jess C, first baby born November 2022

“Sarah was fantastic in so many ways; extremely knowledgeable, friendly, approachable, professional and made us all feel very much at ease and able to talk about all the different areas we wanted to cover with confidence. We had many laughs too! We are both feeling a lot more confident and relaxed overall and we have indeed made lots of friends and are already actively supporting one another which is really lovely! The cost of the course was very similar to the cost I was given for NCT classes, but from what I can tell, way more informative, more in person sessions, added benefits and for us much more convenient timing. The single sex session is such a great idea! The girls’ WhatsApp group was in full swing rather quickly and we started organising socials and supporting each other very quickly, however Tom felt that this session particularly helped to ‘break the ice’ for the boys”. Jess S, first baby due September 2022

“Thank you for the classes. They set us up to be confident going into the birth process and this helped us remain calm and enjoy rather than fear the experience.” Mel F, first baby born June 2022

“Absolutely nothing went to plan right from the off due to meconium in my waters but I remained calm, used my breathing and was so prepared about all options that I have no regrets with any choices I made” Pippa B, first baby born June 2022

“Thanks for all your help and advice leading up to the birth. It has been incredibly helpful at every stage.” Emily C, first baby born May 2022

“Although the birth wasn’t what we initially hoped for, the knowledge gained at BBB really helped us stay calm, make informed decisions and I was able to use the breathing techniques you taught us. We can’t thank you enough.” Alessandra P, first baby born January 2022

“We absolutely loved our 2.5 hour weekly sessions with Sarah and the other couples. The course exceeded our needs. The sessions were informative and enjoyable, the delivery was varied and we still had light hearted moments which can sometimes be difficult over Zoom!. We came into them not knowing what to expect but we were so pleasantly surprised by how much we took away from each week. It is really clear that Sarah is very experienced and passionate about all topics covered, she welcomed and encouraged questions and the end of course handouts were so detailed and thorough they have provided the perfect refresher materials. Sarah’s knowledge of the JR was particularly useful. You could really tell how experienced she is. She really made us feel at ease and despite the fact it was over Zoom rather than face to face, it didn’t feel like the course was impacted at all. Even on Zoom we have got to know other couples in the same situation as us and Sarah helped with this by setting up end of course breakouts. Thank you very much Sarah!” Jason and Olivia A, first baby born April 2021

“Sarah was brilliant at taking the course – she really managed to cover a huge breadth of different topics and was both great fun and really made me think differently (in a positive way!) about a lot of things.” Lydia L, first baby born March 2021

“The course was excellent from start to finish – brilliant facilitation; engaging and informative; open and inclusive to different approaches to labour, birth and parenting and it worked well on Zoom”. Kate C, first baby born March 2021

“We had a very positive birth experience helped hugely by all of your tips and advice. I gave birth to Oscar in the pool as I’d hoped to and managed to get through labour with just gas and air by staying focused on my breathing. Thank you so much, the antenatal classes we had with you really made all the difference in preparing us for labour.” Cerie P, mum to Oscar, born December 2020

“I listened to your visualisations for labour for large sections of birth and managed the whole thing on gas and air. I also had the confidence based on information from your classes to request a new midwife part way through my labour based on some things that had gone wrong in the morning which turned out to be a game changer!!” Vicky B, mum to Vinnie, born November 2020

“I had the most amazing birth in the pool at The Spires. I felt like Superwoman! We want to say a huge thank you for all the classes - they gave us so much confidence and helped me feel in control throughout the whole birth knowing what was happening in my body. I also visualised being in a breathing for labour class during early labour. It was so relaxing!” Emma and Nikul Patel, baby born July 2020

“We attended the introduction to pregnancy class that Sarah runs. She was absolutely lovely and really informative so we decided to book onto the full course (starting the following night!). We were really glad that we did, Sarah gave us lots of very clear information, we both felt a lot more prepapred for what would/could happen during the birth and immediately afterwards. We also made some new friends too. I still talk with the other mums from the group almost daily in our WhatsApp group, a year on from the course and it is still providing help, support and guidance.” Katherine and Andy Buxton, parents to Rupert, born February 2020

“Thank you for all you taught us in your classes, we refer to your teachings all the time!” Helen and Kurt S, baby born October 2019

“We had a wonderful birth and so much of that was down to the brilliant antenatal classes and balls & breathing workshops, so wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you taught us. I did mostly controlled breathing (and ‘ahh’ vocalisation) with TENS at home with keywords ‘relax’, ‘soften’ and ultimately - at the very end for pushing - ‘come on baby!’ in my head. I did a bit of movement - ball at first at home and then swaying before we got in the car. I was 8cm when we got to the Spires and went straight in the pool, which was lovely. Not quite a pool birth, as I had to get out for an episiotomy, but otherwise very straightforward and I was calm and in control. My breathing was so effective I didn’t even need gas and air! Thanks so much again for helping us to have such a brilliant experience!” Nicola M, baby born August 2019

“Our amazing girl was born on 15th August, and I wanted to thank you so much for running such an informative and enjoyable course. The labour was long and I had barely slept beforehand, so after around 16 hours I was totally exhausted and chose to transfer from Chipping Norton to the JR for an epidural so I could get some rest. The birth ended with forceps as baby's heart rate was dropping and she passed meconium, but I actually felt really in control and empowered throughout the birth and like I was an active participant in all the decisions that were made. Our baby was not too far off being born when forceps were introduced as I had been pushing for around 2.5 hours, and the doctor made it clear that it was a 'two woman job' birthing her, so I still felt really active and like my birth was my own. For both me and Will, having an understanding of different types of intervention (for example knowing that choosing an epidural might make an instrumental birth more likely so it was less of a shock when it became necessary) made the whole experience much more positive, and the knowledge you shared was a big part of that.” Pippa M, baby born August 2019

“The visualizations that we did in the balls and breathing class really helped and John was absolutely amazing and a huge support. He knew exactly what I needed and what to expect when the going got tough. The classes were invaluable to us, they really improved our experience of a challenging labour and our journey into the start of parenthood. We would both like to thank you for your support and the knowledge you imparted.” Laura L, induced May 2019

“Thank you so much for your classes - we both felt so well prepared having done the antenatal classes, and the bumps and breathing undoubtably helped me get through the first half of my labour. Thank you!!” Rebecca H, induced November 2018

"Just to say Anthony and I really enjoyed the class last night.  Thank you for making it interesting, informative and fun!" Caroline N, due August 2018, writing about the first session in the 6 week course.

"I wanted to say from Simon and myself that we found your help and information throughout the course (and the bumps balls and breathing classes) invaluable. It was great to feel so prepared and definitely meant that we could both stay calm and reassured throughout the whole event. We feel lucky to have had such a great birth: there were absolutely no surprises." Lucy G, baby born April 2018

"Thank you for a fantastic and really comprehensive course! We're currently attending NCT classes too and I feel that BBB covers the important stuff in a lot more depth". Becky P, due March 2018

"I took so much from the classes that helped me - the importance of staying relaxed, working through the stages, breathing exercises, useful things to take with us, and I listened to the Visualisation CD in the earlier stages too. Thank you so much for helping us both feel really well prepared". Becky P, baby born March 2018

"Even though everything went the way it did, and completely the opposite to what I was hoping, I still feel like it was a positive labour. I felt very empowered and thoroughly felt like I was in decision making control throughout. I don't think I would have realised and felt like that if we hadn't have had you as a mentor!" Carla B, mum to Aria, born February 2018

"Our birth was the most magical positive experience we have both been through. Robin was absolutely amazing and even though nothing... literally nothing went to plan, thanks to your incredible advice, what to expect, the techniques you showed us, all of these made Robin so relaxed knowing we were prepared, that our Little Maggy came out so perfectly. Such a positive magical experience that we can’t wait to go through again. We really can’t thank you enough. We had the most magical journey!!!"   Neil B, dad to Maggy, born December 2017

"Although we didn't have the calm, relaxed water birth we planned, we were given everything we needed from your classes, even with it being as traumatic as it was. Thank you for all that you taught us, to help us through the entire experience and be able to enjoy from pregnancy to parenthood - it's been invaluable."  Matt W, dad to Freddie, born November 2017

"Thanks for everything. I truly believe your advice and classes made my labour not only manageable but also enjoyable."   Linzi B. mum to Oliver, born Nov. 2017

"I don't think I could have gone through this experience if it wasn't for the advice and knowledge that you had shared with us. I went into labour knowing that whatever happens, my body will and can do whatever is needed and it did just that. Words can't even come close to thank you for everything Sarah."      Vikki B, mum to Poppy, born November 2017

"Thanks so much for giving such an informative course, it would have been a very different birth experience without the knowledge you gave us."  Lucie, mum to Harriet, born September 2017

"The classes have been excellent and made us both feel a lot more ready and prepared for our new adventure! The course has made me worry less about things and it has been nice to share stories/experiences/worries/changes with other people. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and answering all our questions .... you have certainly made me feel more positive about the labour so fingers crossed!!"  Emma C, baby due May 2017

"Thank you for a very helpful and incredibly informative experience. The course exceeded my expectations in every way, by being informative and non-judgemental. I now feel much more secure and confident about labour, birth and early parenthood."  Tom B, baby due May 2017

"Thank you very much for your lovely antenatal classes. The tools you've offered in them have been such a help during my pregnancy.  And thank you for sharing your wide knowledge and creative ideas with such warmth and positive energy. I learned so much more than I thought I would.  I enjoyed the content and delivery.  You are extremely knowledgeable about birth, we couldn't have been in safer hands.  You're a brilliant person to do what you do."  Jenn K, mum to Cara, born July 2015

"I just wanted to extend a huge thank you for running the course.  When I started out, you may remember my desires from the course were (among others) to be able to walk away knowing that I could support my wife through the labour process. Thanks to you and the information provided, I not only went into it with a better understanding, but it also gave me the confidence to speak out during the latter stages of labour when I felt it was the right thing for my wife.  Having the knowledge about more effective birth positions definitely made a difference after a seemingly never-ending 28hrs, and at a critical time, potentially prevented a more assisted labour...I (we) can only thank you for that."  Michael N-K, dad to Sidney, born December 2015

"An informative course which enabled me to understand how to support my wife throughout the later stages of pregnancy, labour and once our baby was born.  When labour started we both remained calm and enjoyed going through this special time together."  Jamie D, dad to Martha, born November 2015

"Sarah provided a very encouraging, unbiased and objective sounding board where I felt I didn’t have to hold back my questions. Would definitely recommend."  Laura S, mum to Isla, born August 2014

Men only Antenatal Class

"This was my favourite session - I liked that we could talk frankly to each other. "  Sean, Oct 2014

"This was an important session, as we managed to discuss issues we have away from our partners. As well as having a beer!" Jon, Oct 2014

"The men only class is a good idea. Men generally relax more in this type of environment."  Phil, July 2014