PANDAS Free Antenatal Course
Join us for our incredible 5 week Perinatal mental health antenatal course spread throughout the duration of your pregnancy and beyond. Each session will touch on a different stage of pregnancy, birth and beyond.
WEEK 1
Perinatal mental health (Gestation 14-18 weeks)
- What perinatal means:
- What perinatal mental health is and why it matters
- Why anxiety can increase in pregnancy
- Understanding your needs and how these shift in the perinatal period
- How your brain and nervous system change during pregnancy and postpartum
- Recognising common stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn
- Identifying your own stress triggers and what helps relieve them
- The 5 steps to mental wellbeing
- Simple grounding techniques to manage anxiety and overwhelm
- Where and how to reach out for support
WEEK 2
Relationships (Gestation 22-26 weeks)
- What affects our ability to communicate effectively during the perinatal period
- Understanding emotional intimacy
- Building physical intimacy
- Experiential intimacy
- Preparing for the realities of parenthood – the highs and the challenges
- How becoming parents can shift identity, priorities, and relationships
- Recognising changes in dynamics
- Learning how to advocate for your needs and support each other
- Exploring support tools and resources to help navigate these changes
WEEK 3
Labour & Birth (Gestation 30-34 weeks)
- Thinking about birth preferences
- Tools to help you stay grounded in labour
- Understanding how staying calm supports your body
- Tools to help you make informed decisions
- Feeling empowered to ask questions and take an active role in your care
- Processing birth experiences
- Gentle ways to support bonding
- The importance of rest, support, and sharing your feelings after birth
- Simple grounding techniques to support recovery and emotional wellbeing
WEEK 4
Postpartum (Gestation 34-38 weeks)
- Understanding the difference between “the baby blues” a perinatal mental illness
- Knowing where to go for help
- Understanding intrusive thoughts
- Exploring ways to manage the difficult emotions
- Letting go of perfection
- The importance and benefits of skin-to-skin contact for you and your baby
- Feeding your baby and exploring options
- Preparing for sleep deprivation
- Practical ways to divide responsibilities and support each other as parents
- Finding support for feeding and sleep challenges when you need it
WEEK 5
The next chapter (baby’s age 1-4 weeks)
- Why asking for help matters
- Understanding the importance of your “village” and building support around you
- Finding connection with other parents
- Creating your circle of support
- Exploring what self-care really looks like
- Why self-care supports recovery
- Identifying your personal triggers
- Understanding yourself and others better
- Building healthier communications and deeper connections
- Reflecting on your priorities and coping strategies moving forward
- Leaving the course with practical tools to support your mental wellbeing
This is a small, online group course and is aimed at the birthing & non-birthing parents and their support networks.
The course will then repeat each month with new cohorts. Please complete the booking form here to apply
If you need urgent help….
If you need urgent help or are worried about a loved one, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or the emergency services on 999.
Other ways we can support you
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