Pregnant, and just moved back to Oxford. Could I find a good antenatal class?
NOPE
In fact, when I was pregnant all I could find were postnatal classes.
And by the time I had my baby (thank you Oxford Spires – the birth pool was amazing!) I’d forgotten where I’d found the postnatal classes and could only find the darn pregnancy classes.
So as an Oxford mummy.
I’m writing this list to shine a light on the gorgeous pregnancy classes in Oxford that you might otherwise miss.
The one woman. Small businesses.
The Niche. The Boutique.
And the “why have I never heard of that before?!”
CLASSES
That are making a difference to people like you and me.
So keep reading to find everything from Antenatal Classes in Oxford to Pregnancy Pilates and Hypnobirthing near you.
Plus a few not-a-class goodies that are too good not to include.
Find your favourite Pregnancy Classes in Oxford!
Just click the link to skip straight to the pregnancy classes that interest you most!
Disclaimer:
This article may contain affiliate links that will not affect you in anyway, the feelings expressed here are mine alone and of the pregnancy classes I have used, my experiences are my own.
1. Antenatal Classes
You don’t have to pay for antenatal classes in Oxford. The NHS do them for free. But the boutique style of Oxford’s independent antenatal classes are irresistible!
Mama Flow’s Birth Preparation
Sara Barker’s Mama Flow is a favourite of pregnant women in Oxford.
Her facebook pages are active and she’s endlessly generous in her sharing of other antenatal teachers work.
So simply put.
Follow Sara’s Facebook page and you rather follow everyone!
Birth Preparation Workshop:
- One off class
- Just 2.5hrs
- Saturdays
- Women only option
- Partners welcome option
Mama Flow’s antenatal class is short, accessible and affordable.
The class includes breath work, relaxation, yoga moves and positions for childbirth.
I don’t know how she fits it in!
But it makes a perfect addition to any other antenatal courses you might be doing. Especially if you’re finding the “mainstream” stuff lacking in heart & soul.
Virgil Clarke Antenatal
Virgil has been teaching antenatal classes in Oxford for over 30 years and has even taught within the NHS.
Set in Jericho. These are what I’d call good and FULL Oxford Antenatal Classes!
Virgil’s independent antenatal classes are perfect if you’re looking for something less obvious than NCT.
And at 5-6 classes plus an additional class just for the mothers/birthers this really does give mainstream big dogs a run for their money!
2. Aquanatal Classes
We don’t live by the sea but aquanatal exercise feel so good? We may as well be.
Aqua natal Oxford
Katja Shipp’s Aquanatal classes come highly recommend by my Hypnobirthing clients.
- Barton Leisure Centre
- Tuesdays 1.30-2.30pm
- Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm
I’m told there’s a chance to talk to Katja after class (she’s a midwife which is handy). And pre booking is recommended…
I emailed Katja about classes in my third trimester and was told the waiting list would be a couple of months. So delay & get emailing today!!!
3. Belly Dancing
Belly Dancing is probably not the first activity you think about in pregnancy.
But it helps build muscle strength, confidence and much much more.
Pregnancy Belly Dancing
Ooh this is AKWARD
This was the exercise that gave the idea to write this list…
And you don’t know if you don’t know – right!
But Mary. Oxfordshire’s finest independent Antenatal Belly Dancing teacher.
Has moved out of town. Way out of town!
And whilst I have seen another teacher on Facebook recently.
Can I remember her name?
4. Breastfeeding Classes
They say that birth is like breathing. But breastfeeding is like learning to walk.
So while everyone is preparing for birth. Put a little time aside to prepare for Breastfeeding as well.
Oxford LLL Breastfeeding Class
I LOVE Oxford’s La Leche League. It’s like the Positive Birth Movement for Breasts – but LLL has been around since the 1950s and they still have meetings!
They have friendly & supportive groups for any stage of breastfeeding plus:
- Book library
- Maternity clothes swap shop
- CAKES to die for
- Breastfeeding support
And if you haven’t had your baby yet?
Oxford La Leche League run a free Antenatal Breastfeeding Class. It’s one hour long and online, which is handy! And you just sign up via their website.
What could be easier?
Mindful Breastfeeding
- Mind
- Body
- Connect
Do you want to feel more informed, confident and deliciously mindful through the rest of your pregnancy and into your breastfeeding journey?
OBS Antenatal Session
Oxford is spoilt for choice with yet another Antenatal Breastfeeding Class!
- One hour
- Online
- 10.30am
- FREE
- Plus low-cost breast pump loans
- Closed Facebook Group
Postnatally you can access their support in Donnington, Kidlington, Barton & Didcot.
Drop-in breastfeeding support sessions facilitated by specialist IBCLCs & volunteers.
Or book a private 1:1.
“Breastfeeding reminds us of the universal truth of abundance; the more we give out, the more we are filled up” – Sarah Buckley
5. Hypnobirthing
In labour with my first baby. Using hypnosis for birth. Fully aware. I felt nothing but the movement of my body.
And gave birth an hour after arriving at the Cotswold Maternity unit.
Hypnobirthing gave me that.
Autonomous Hypnobirthing
Taught by me. Steph McGee Hypnotherapy at Oxford Hypnobirthing. I’m an independent Hypnobirthing teacher with a passion for pain, brain & birth science.
Based in Horspath, East Oxford.
My classes are a reassuring combination of hypnosis for birth & antenatal hypnobirthing.
And I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist
So with the history of birth hypnosis & hypnosis for pain?
Autonomous Hypnobirthing is HypnoBirthing!
- 4 week group or private course
- 2 week courses
- Birth hypnosis AND relaxations
- Ongoing support included
- Free online tips & resources
- Plus self hypnosis for birth
Oxford group classes are in person or online.
Private courses available in your own home or online.
Free Hypnobirthing
Originally in Horspath. These have been online since covid.
- Once a month
- Free class
- Partners welcome
- Sign up for invites & tips
Perfect if you’re early in pregnancy but want to start Hypnobirthing ASAP.
6. Antenatal Mindfulness
Mindfulness has been around for as long as hypnosis. Two ways to create the send end goal!
Antenatal Mindful Birth Course
Run by the NHS. This course is taught by midwives and teachers trained in Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP).
- Currently online
- 4 weeks
- £20 per person
- Concessions available if in receipt of benefits
Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting
If you love Mindfulness and want to do more than just dip your toes in?
This Mindfulness Marathon could be just the thing.
- 9 weeks
- Birth & parenting preparation
- Closed until Spring 2023
Run by Guinevere Webster in Florence Park. Guin is so well known in Oxford for her work with the NCT…I’ll eat my hat if you haven’t heard of her already!
“Mindfulness is the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” – Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD
7. Pregnancy Pilates
To me Prenatal Pilates feels like yoga with more muscle work.
It’s gentle and serene and WOW do you feel virtuous afterwards!
Self & Body Fitness
Alex Druce is a doll. Based in Abingdon rather than Oxford I’m including her because:
- It would be cruel not to tell you about her
- Her Boars Hill classes count her as Oxford
- She’s one of my hypnobirthing mamas!
Suitable for prenatal & postnatal – babies welcome!
Alex adapts exercises to your own individual needs.
These are a little slice of self love and healthy pregnancy exercise.
- Suitable for all abilities
- Mummy Fit in Albert Park, Abingdon
- Mondays 10.30-11.30am
- Mumma & Me Pilates at Chandlings School, Boars Hill
- Wednesdays 11-12.15pm
Alex gives fabulous tips throughout her classes and quietly keeps a watchful eye to help you stay on track.
She had her work cut out with me!
Visit Alex’s booking site here.
“There is no force equal to that of a determined woman” – Unknown
8. Postnatal Classes
But I haven’t had my baby yet?
I know. I know.
But the postnatal period is a big deal (take it from a mum who didn’t prepare!) And as the saying goes – forewarned is forearmed.
9 months and 40 days
Emily Carson offers a soulful 5 week online course to prepare you for the postnatal period.
Advanced booking advised. Ludicrously cheap for the number of classes, these must me super popular to even run at all.
Emily is not someone I’ve met yet. But she’s one of those people who exudes something wonderful where she goes.
My hypnobirthing clients delight in telling me what they’ve learnt with Emily.
And if there was one thing I could step back in pregnancy time to do?
It would be Emily Carson’s forth trimester preparation course.
“Our female bodies need us now more than ever, and we too need the wisdom, the wildness, the passion, the joy, the vitality and the authenticity that we can gain through this most intimate of reconciliations” – Sarah Buckley
9. Singing
Are Pregnancy Singing Classes really a thing?
You betcha!
Singing promotes happy hormones, calmness and helps to build confidence in using your voice.
And using your voice in labour is a thing too!
Because all those instinctive tonal noises stimulate the para-sympathetic nervous system and actually reduces pain ya’ll!
Sing our Beings
Our gorgeous city is lucky enough to have our very own internationally recognised – fabulous – SINGER!
Namvula Rennie
A woman full of kindness, light and a voice that could make angels weep.
And during her second pregnancy she brought her love of singing to pregnant people from all over Oxford!
Who says teaching Hypnobirthing doesn’t make an income – the friends I make bring me all the richest I need!
And relax.
Namvula assures me – you don’t need to be a ‘singer’ to sing.
Drop Namvula a message about classes on instagram.
“Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life” – Maya Angelou
10. Pregnancy Yoga Classes
With my Hypnobirthing lot loving prenatal yoga nd one even saying “Pregnancy Yoga is a right of passage!”
I feel like the only person pregnant in Oxford who didn’t do it!
Mama Flow Yoga
I LOVE Sara Barker.
Wherever she goes she spreads joy, compassion and loving care. And boy does she have a lot to offer!
So among her Mama Flow offerings is pregnancy yoga.
Check Mama Flow’s website for details but at time of writing, her classes are run in Littlemore Village Hall on a Monday evening.
Felicity Wood Yoga
The moment I thought of antenatal yoga in Oxford my mind flew to Felicity Wood Yoga.
Based in North Oxford. I’ve not used her myself…
With a limit willingness to spend money I plumbed for Hypnobirthing & a massage instead
But my clients?
They RAVE about Felicity’s Pregnancy Yoga!
- Currently online
- Start from 14 weeks
- £10 a session
- Wednesdays 7.15-8.15pm
Felicity also does pregnancy yoga, postnatal yoga, children’s yoga, hatha & vinyasa.
And last thing I heard? She had a friendly client FB group
So there’s something on offer wherever you’re at!
“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down” – Jigar Gor
11. Prenatal Zumba
What’s not to love?
Fun, giggles & exercise.
And no one minds if you’re moving your left when everyone’s moving their right.
I’m in!
MM Dance & Fitness
One of my Hypnobirthing mums invited me to Zumba and first I said no, but then I said yes!
RIGHT CHOICE
Maz has an infectious joy and endless passion:
Zumba Gold is traditionally marketed to older people. But these lower impact classes come with Maz’s massive recommendation for pregnancy too.
- Zuma Gold
- Thursdays 10.45-11.45am
- Yarnton Village Hall
- Other classes in Blackbird leys, Kennington, Berinsfield & Wheatley!
Find Maz on Facebook & drop her a message for details & availability! Her reply will be lovely!
“”What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly?” – Erin Hanson
12. Pregnancy Reflexology
Now this shows my ignorance. Because I thought there was only ONE reason people book reflexology in pregnancy! But a mooch around these websites will tell you all the benefits (with little mention of the 42 weeks+ I was thinking off!)
Caroline Dearlove
I thought I was calm. In fact people TELL me I’m calm…all the time
But then I met Caroline…
And next to her Calm?
Mine look’s like Billy Whizz.
So aside from being the house where calm lives?
Based in Wantage.
Caroline offers a tempting array of therapies to help the stress ebb away.
- Maternity Reflexology
- Maternity Reiki
Plus:
- Chrystal Healing
- Sound Alchemy
- Human Design
- Abdominal-Sacral Massage
- Meditation
What’s not to like?!
“There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation” – Pamela S Nadav
13. Pregnancy Massage
Is heaven on a stick. So rather than sitting and fretting when your ‘due date’ comes and goes?
Give yourself a treat!
Mama Flow Massage
Yep. It’s Sara again. Cos this lady’s got it going on!
Pregnancy massage is something to behold!
So whether you do it as a one off treat, become a regular relaxer, or give it as a gift…partners – you reading?
Whatcha waiting for?
“Let us make pregnancy an occasion when we appreciate our female bodies” – Merete Leonhardt-Lupa
14. Sling Hire
Choosing the best sling is harder than choosing baby names.
So thank goodness the some bunnies thought of hiring them out!
Oxford Sling Library
I’ve had so many slings I could have set up my own dang library!
But Oxford Sling library are the professionals.
Choose from:
- Hire a sling – just 50p a day (correct at time of writing!)
- 1:1 consultations
- Pre-loved sling sales
- Antenatal classes to get advice on slings
With all that an offer. It should be clear. That a sling is not just a sling. And getting the right sling (or slings) will make your life better.
Simple. As. That.
“A child may not know what direction he’s going, but when he’s attached to you, he doesn’t feel lost” – Gordon Neufeld
Conclusion
My biggest wish is that this has been helpful to you. That you’ve found something interesting, and I have helped you connect with someone you might never have found.
So do me a favour & if you book someone through this post – tell your teacher where you found them because it helps to share the love! And comment in the message below!
Never again shall I hear you say…
I can’t find pregnancy classes in Oxford!
Steph xxx
