Courses & Workshops

A calm, evidence-based approach to antenatal education — designed to help you feel informed, supported, and confident as you prepare for birth and early parenthood.

Whether you're looking for a focused birth planning workshop, a full antenatal day course, or deeper support over several weeks, The Gentle Start offers practical, compassionate preparation without overwhelm or pressure.

OPTION 1 — 45 MIN WORKSHOP

Your Birth Plan: Calm, Clear & Confident

45-Minute Online Workshop — €15

A gentle, midwife-led workshop designed to help you create a birth plan that feels realistic, informed, and truly supportive of your preferences.

This session is ideal if:

you feel unsure where to begin with birth planning
you want to understand your options more clearly
you'd like to feel calmer and more confident going into birth
you want practical guidance without fear-based information

During the workshop, we'll cover:

what a birth plan is (and isn't)
common birth preferences and choices
communicating with your care team
flexibility and adapting calmly if birth changes direction
creating a plan that supports both confidence and informed decision-making

You'll leave with:

a clearer understanding of your options
a simple, supportive birth plan that you can actually use in labour.
increased confidence approaching labour and birth

📍 Online via Zoom
👥 Small group session
⏰ 45 minutes

Reserve Your Place

Option 2- 2 Hour Online workshop

Birth & Labour Essentials

2-Hour Online Antenatal Workshop — €49

A calm, supportive antenatal workshop designed to help you feel more prepared, informed, and confident approaching labour and birth — without overwhelm or information overload.

This focused two-hour session is ideal for parents who would like practical, evidence-based preparation in a shorter, manageable format.

Perfect for:

busy parents
parents later in pregnancy
those looking for a calm alternative to hospital classes
anyone wanting practical preparation without committing to a full course

During the workshop, we'll explore:

how labour usually begins and progresses
practical coping strategies for labour
breathing, movement, and comfort measures
understanding common interventions and pain relief options
how birth partners can offer meaningful support
staying calm and flexible if plans change
preparing emotionally for birth and early parenthood

You'll leave feeling:

calmer and more informed
more confident in your choices
better prepared for labour and birth
reassured and supported approaching parenthood

📍 Online via Zoom
👥 Small group workshop
⏰ 2 hours

Save Your Spot

OPTION 3 — FULL DAY COURSE

The Gentle Start Intensive Antenatal Course

Full-Day Saturday Course — 5 Hours — €119

A calm, evidence-based antenatal course designed to help you feel informed, supported, and confident as you prepare for birth and early parenthood — all delivered in one supportive, comprehensive day.

This full-day course combines practical preparation with emotional reassurance, helping you approach labour, birth, and the early days of parenthood with greater calm, clarity, and confidence.

Designed for parents who would prefer a complete antenatal course in a single day, this workshop offers balanced, evidence-based education in a gentle and supportive environment without overwhelm or fear-based messaging.

What This Course Covers

Understanding Birth & Feeling Prepared

Common fears, expectations, and myths surrounding birth
How labour usually begins and progresses
Understanding the physiology of labour and birth
Birth of your baby and placenta
Choice, consent, and informed decision-making
The role of the birth partner

Navigating Labour with Confidence

Practical coping strategies for labour
Breathing, movement, and comfort measures
Creating a calm and supportive birth environment
Understanding common interventions and pain relief options
How birth partners can provide meaningful support
Staying flexible and confident if plans change

Early Parenthood & Postnatal Recovery

The first moments after birth
Skin-to-skin contact and early bonding
Feeding in the early hours and days
Physical recovery after birth
Emotional wellbeing and transition into parenthood
Preparing for the early days at home

Throughout the course, there is space for discussion, questions, and supportive guidance — helping you feel reassured, informed, and better prepared for birth and early parenthood.

You'll leave the course with:

A clearer understanding of labour and birth
Practical tools and coping strategies
Increased confidence in your choices and decision-making
A calmer and more informed approach to birth and early parenting

📍 Online via Zoom
👥 Small group course
⏰ 5-hour intensive workshop including breaks

Book Intensive Course

OPTION 4 — COMPLETE COURSE

The Gentle Start Complete Antenatal Experience

3-Week Course — €169

The complete antenatal course includes everything in the Intensive Antenatal Course plus-

A deeper antenatal education experience delivered across three gentle and supportive sessions, allowing space for discussion, reflection, and gradual confidence-building.

This course is designed for parents who would benefit from learning over time, with the opportunity to absorb information gradually and return each week feeling more prepared and reassured.

Perfect for parents who:

prefer a slower and more supportive pace
want time to process information between sessions
value discussion and connection
are seeking a more grounded and emotionally supportive antenatal experience

The Complete Course combines practical preparation with emotional reassurance — helping you approach birth and early parenthood with greater calm, clarity, and confidence.

📍 Online via Zoom
👥 Small group course
⏰ 3 weekly sessions

Join the Complete Course

OPTION 5 — SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

The Gentle Start Signature Antenatal Experience

A more personalised and supportive antenatal experience for parents seeking deeper guidance, reassurance, and individualised preparation for birth and early parenthood.

This premium course includes everything within the Complete Antenatal Course, alongside additional personalised support designed to help you feel calmer, more confident, and fully supported throughout your preparation for birth.

Ideal for parents who:

would value more individual guidance and discussion
feel anxious or overwhelmed approaching birth
would like support creating a personalised birth plan
want a more connected and intimate antenatal experience

What's Included In The Signature Experience

Personalised birth plan preparation and guidance
Individual support exploring your birth preferences and options
Additional opportunity for questions and discussion throughout the course
Ongoing support between sessions
A smaller, more intimate group experience
Additional emotional reassurance and personalised guidance

You'll Leave Feeling

More informed and confident in your choices
Better prepared to navigate labour and birth calmly
Reassured and supported approaching early parenthood
Empowered to make decisions that feel right for you and your family