Best Pregnancy Classes in Oxford

white pregnant woman sitting crossed legged on a pale blue bed wearing matching pale blue maternity dungarees while she scrolls her ipad looking for antenatal and pregnancy classes in Oxford

Steph McGee

I’m a Trauma Informed Clinical Hypnotherapist on a mission to help. And hypnosis feels like a magic wand. But in truth? The real magic is you.

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 now, as an Oxford Hypnobirthing teacher, with my fingers in all the pies?

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 them before?!”

CLASSES

The  are making a difference to people like you and me.

So keep reading to find everything from Antenatal Classes in Oxford to Pregnancy Yoga and Hypnobirthing near you.

Plus a few ‘not-a-class’ goodies that are too good not to include!

Join my November Hypnobirthing Course!

My next Hypnobirthing course starts Wednesday 1st Nov, 7-9.30pm.

Perfect for New Year Due Dates!

dark stylish photo of steph mcgee teaching antenatal classes in Oxford whilst holding a brown baby doll in the head down position

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!

golden beach, blue sea and a rich orange sunset to demonstrate the luxury and peace of aquanatal classes in Oxford

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 get emailing today!!!

knitted breast teaching aid held up in front of antenatal class props by the teachers hand during an Oxford mindful breastfeeding class for pregnancy

3. Breastfeeding Classes

Have you hear the saying?

“Birth is like breathing, but breastfeeding is like learning to walk”.

So while everyone is preparing for birth, the thinkers and planners put a little time aside to learn about 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

Taught by me – Steph McGee.
Mindful Breastfeeding combines breastfeeding know how with brain-body mindfulness, science and soul.
Think Hypnobirthing for breasts and you’re on the right track!
Mindful Breastfeeding is a 3 week online course of gorgeous:
  1. Mind
  2. Body
  3. Connect

Do you want to feel more informed, confident and deliciously mindful through the rest of your pregnancy and into your breastfeeding journey?

Visit Steph McGee Hypnotherapy for details

OBS Antenatal Session

Oxford is spoilt for choice with yet another Antenatal Breastfeeding Class!

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

3. Home Birth Preperation

Belly Dancing is probably not the first activity you think about in pregnancy.

But it helps build muscle strength, confidence and much much more.

Oxford NCT Home Birth Group

With a friendly and supportive Facebook group, Oxford NCT home birth group is full of parents to be, seasoned home birthers and passionate birth workers (like me!). You don’t have to be an NCT member to join, and they offer a free monthly support group for anyone thinking about/planning an Oxford home birth as well as free birth pool rental (get on the list early for that one!).

Physical – Logical Birth

Describing herself as a Home birth & Free birth Ninja! Kezia Godfrey, inspired by her own journey, offers 1:1 birth classes for anyone planning a home birth or free birth. While her new website is still under construction you can follow Kezia’s Ninja kicks and coolness over on Facebook.

steph mcgee in a pale grey jumper, smiling as she holds a soft brown baby doll in the head down positing during her hypnobirthing classes in Oxford

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.

Visit Steph McGee Hypnotherapy for prices & latest dates.

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

Email Sian Warriner to register

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
  • Group courses are no longer running but Guin takes applications for private courses.

Guin is so well known in Oxford…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

white pregnant woman wearing black leggings and a grey sports crop top stands on one leg as she is reflected in the mirror behind her during a pregnancy pilates class in Abingdon

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:

  1. It would be cruel not to tell you about her
  2. Her Boars Hill classes count her as Oxford
  3. 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

white woman wearing a striped vest top holding her newborn baby with confidence after doing postnatal classes in oxford in pregnancy

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

black pregnant woman seen only from shoulders down wearing grey leggings and a yellow shirt sits crossed legged in a pregnancy yoga class in oxford

10. Pregnancy Yoga Classes

A direct quote from one of my clients: “Pregnancy Yoga is like a right of passage – but so is Hypnobirthing!”

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.

 

White Star Yoga

Tanya West is highly recommended by my private hypnobirthing clients in Kidlington! Not exclusively a pregnancy yoga teacher her clients are so loyal they stay with her through pregnancy, postnatally and for years beyond. And I don’t know what it is about Kidlington but ALL my private hypnobirthing clients seem to live there!

Tanya skilfully adapts her classes to her pregnant clients needs and offers pregnancy massage as well!

With lots of classes running locally in Oxford, visit Tanya’s White Star Yoga website for details.

 “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down” – Jigar Gor

mid tone skinned with long straight brown hair woman from the wait up dancing and throwing her hair back during zumba gold pregnancy classes in oxford

11. 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

legs only, woman relaxing in a flower infused milk bath because the best pregnancy classes in Oxford have to include reflexology

 12. Pregnancy Reflexology

For YEARS, I thought there was only ONE reason people book reflexology in pregnancy! (And Hypnotherapy can help with that too) 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

And I thought I was calm. In fact people TELL me I’m calm…all the time

But then I met Caroline…

And next to Caroline’s Calm? Mine look’s like Billy Whizz!

So aside from being the house where calm lives…In Wantage.

Caroline Dearlove offers a tempting array of therapies to help the stress ebb away:

  • Pregnancy Reflexology
  • Pregnacy Reiki
  • Chrystal Healing
  • Sound Alchemy
  • Human Design
  • Abdominal-Sacral Massage
  • Meditation

What will you choose first?

“There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation” – Pamela S Nadav

candle and cream rolled towel in fron of shot with a white pregnant woman in the background lying on her side as she has a pregnancy massage in oxford

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

woman carrying a pale blue rucksac on her back and carrying her young baby in a dark brown sling that she found at Oxford Sling Library

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

steph mcgee in a pale grey jumper smiling having just written about the best pregnancy classes in oxford as a blonde toddle in a red t-shirt holds a black and white panda teddy bear up to the camera

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The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. I disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.