NMH

NMH | 2024 75 Maternity & Obstetrics Antenatal Education E leanor Durkin and Theresa Barry, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, continue to develop and create resources and supports which promote improvements in the health and wellbeing of babies, pregnant women, and their partners throughout the antenatal and postnatal periods. We continue to revise the suite of antenatal education classes using a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to parenthood education. A comprehensive, inclusive, interactive programme of in-person and virtual antenatal education classes using this approach is used to teach, reassure and empower women and partners. It is a key part of our antenatal education vision for all: to improve parent's knowledge and understanding of preparation for childbirth and parenthood. We continue to provide a broad range of midwifery led and multidisciplinary online classes, and have resumed in-person classes since Spring 2023. We receive referrals from colleagues in Medical Social Work, Perinatal Mental Health, Ultrasound Department, Bereavement Services and Clinics to provide specialist and individual classes for vulnerable women. Classes include: • A set of four 'Pregnancy Wellbeing' classes facilitated by the multidisciplinary team. This is open to women at any stage of their pregnancy but ideally the earlier the better. • A set of three classes for first time parents (online or in-person). • A refresher class (online or in-person) for women/partners who have had previous vaginal births • A VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) class (online or in-person) for women who wish to have a vaginal birth this time. • A 'Preparation for Elective Caesarean Birth' online class for women with a booked elective caesarean section. • A Twins online class, for women/ partners expecting twins. • ' Young Mums and Dads' in-person classes which include 'hands on' baby care. • 'Partners Only' online class once a month. • 'An Introduction to Hypnobirthing' online class. • 'Mental Wellbeing in Pregnancy and Beyond' and 'Postnatal Mental Wellbeing' classes-facilitated by mental health midwives • 'Healthy Bodies After Birth' classes- facilitated by physiotherapists. • Individual classes for vulnerable women/couples antenatal education audit. The NMH was consistently found to be demonstrating a 'commitment towards developing a quality service'. Both educators are members of the National Antenatal Education Forum and attend national meetings. This year Theresa Barry completed Hypnobirthing for Midwives: A Practitioner Training Programme. The vision is to provide a Hypnobirthing programme which will further complement the Introduction to Hypnobirthing that currently exists. Services are developed beyond antenatal education. Theresa is part of the Basic Life Support teaching team within the hospital and both educators are members of many multidisciplinary meeting groups. We plan to recommence providing in-person evening classes shortly. • 72% of expectant mothers attended classes, • 43% of expectant mothers attended the Pregnancy Wellbeing Class. An initiative is in place to increase awareness of this class. • 30% of first time expectant mothers attended in-person classes and 70% attended online classes. Further plans are in place to expand the staff resources and availability of in-person classes in 2025. • 16% attended the refresher classes. • Attendance varies at other classes for 2024: Hypnobirthing (430), VBAC (171), Preparation for Elective Section (165), Partners (80), Our service could not run without the administration support of Susan Doyle and Nicola Jordan. They provide invaluable support to staff and parents. Theresa Barry and Eleanor Durkin, Antenatal Education Facilitators. Antenatal education and the delivery of information has dramatically changed over the past few years, and The NMH eLearning Hub is integral to our classes. Whilst innovations enhance our service, they require development and monitoring, all of which takes time and expertise. We continue to develop resources to meet parent expectations. National antenatal education standards now guide our service and the development of resources. In 2024, Theresa and Eleanor completed part two of the National Antenatal Educator's Programme. As part of this programme, a new national antenatal education curriculum was unveiled providing an opportunity to review all class material and structure provided in the NMH. In 2023 and 2024 we took part in a national A comprehensive, inclusive, interactive programme of in-person and virtual antenatal education classes using this approach is used to teach, reassure and empower women and partners."

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