Live antenatal classes and workshops, developed and taught by registered midwives, will now be available online via Boots’ Health Hub for the first time. Midwife-founded brand, My Expert Midwife will offer evidence-based, practical pregnancy classes and workshops about labour, birth and the journey into parenthood.
The classes teach parents-to-be the reality and variety of childbirth and early parenting with no fluff. Classes go on sale from Wednesday 10th August with the first midwife-led course due to start on 11th October.
For the first time, pregnant women and parents-to-be can access live antenatal classes and workshops, developed and taught by registered midwives online via Boots’ Health Hub.
Midwife-founded brand, My Expert Midwife, will offer evidence-based, practical pregnancy classes and workshops about labour, birth and the journey into parenthood. Four-week antenatal courses will be delivered in live, engaging, interactive sessions by a registered midwife.
What the Course will Cover
- Planning: Making a birth plan, decision making & packing your hospital bag
- Labour: How does labour start, key hormones, all stages of labour, birth & what to expect with the induction of labour
- Birth: Natural and medical pain relief, caesarean birth & birth environment
- Recovery: Delivery of the placenta, the golden hour & preparation for postnatal recovery.
The classes will be grouped and timed so parents-to-be will be attending sessions with others who are at a similar stage on their pregnancy journey. The same registered midwife will teach each class each week.
As well as access to the classes, parents-to-be will receive a digital Pregnancy & Birth Journey Handbook which will contain an overview of each of the topics taught as well as birth preparation must-haves such as a hospital bag checklist, guides to perineal massage and choosing the right pain relief and a birth plan template, and more.
In addition to the antenatal course, three workshops will be on offer, each giving a two-hour deep dive into topics such as breastfeeding, c-section and recovery, and vaginal birth and recovery.
Lesley Gilchrist, registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife said: “No one knows pregnancy, birth and new babies like midwives, and that is why we are delighted to offer live online antenatal classes and workshops via the Boots Health Hub.
“Planning and preparing for birth and recovery allows pregnant women and their partners feel more confident and in control of their experience. As well as giving parents-to-be the information needed to create their birth plan, we’ll also give them the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions if their planned birth changes or they need to undergo interventions.
“We’re passionate about informing and educating parents-to-be about the realities of pregnancy, childbirth and recovery and providing evidence-based information so they make choices that are best for them and their family.”
My Expert Midwife was founded by registered midwife, Lesley Gilchrist and massage therapist Claire Charlton in 2017. Drawing from their personal experience and professional expertise the brand launched a range of no-nonsense products and services developed to tackle taboos around pregnancy and childbirth for new and expectant mums and new babies.
At the heart of the business is a team of expert midwives with over 140+ years of combined expertise. Alongside pregnancy products, such as Spritz for Bits, the company produces midwife-developed webinars, antenatal classes and e-books.
Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer, Boots.com said: “The Boots Health Hub is excited to announce our new arrival ‘My Expert Midwife,’ joining our platform providing virtual antenatal classes, content and advice to support our ongoing mission to be there for our customers throughout their lives.
“Becoming a parent is a life-changing event and Boots have been supporting families for over 170 years, including more recently through our parenting club.
“The Boots Health Hub platform provides a network of specialised healthcare services, expert advice and content curated around real health needs enabling our customers to personalise their own healthcare journeys. Being able to offer virtual antenatal classes for parents-to-be is something I am particularly proud of.”
Parents-to-be will be able to book live antenatal classes via the Boots Health Hub from 10th August and classes will begin from 11th October. The eight-hour, four-week antenatal course will cost £98 and the individual two-hour workshops will cost £29.50.
For more information visit myexpertmidwife.com/antenatal-class-boots-health-hub or boots.com/healthhub from 10th August 2022.
