Services
antenatal classes
what are they?
Antenatal Classes Galway
Independent, evidence-based antenatal classes in Galway that help you build your confidence in birth and early parenting and provide information on all your options to enable you to make your own informed choices. These antenatal classes take place in Galway city, and one-to-one classes in the comfort of your home (online or in person) are available.
I’m a fully trained and licensed Cuidiú Antenatal Ireland Childbirth Educator, accredited by Fedant (Federation of Antenatal Educators).
Preparation classes can make a world of difference to your birth and new parenthood experiences.
Last year I helped
families prepare for birth and early parenting
additional families prepare for breastfeeding
Ideal From 24 to 36 Weeks of Pregnancy
Birth & Early Parenting Preparation
Running over two half-days or one full day, these small group courses offer expecting parents time to ask questions and discuss concerns, to practice skills and to get to know the other parents. They include:
- Realistic information about what happens during labour and birth
- Your full range of choices and options
- Comfort measures and pain management techniques
- Medical pain relief options (benefits, risks, alternatives)
- Possible complications and common interventions and ways to avoid them
- Informed decision making skills
- Partner support skills and knowledge, for birth and beyond
- Nurturing your newborn and yourself in the early days and weeks, including infant behaviour, breastfeeding and the transition to parenthood
- Information on local services and supports in the community
- Membership to Cuidiú parent support network included.
Book Now
Only €50 is due at booking. The balance is paid 2 weeks before the course.
If you are facing hardship or on low or no income, please contact me for reduced rate services.
Ideal From 24 to 36 Weeks of Pregnancy
Birth & Early Parenting Preparation
Running over two half-days or one full day, these small group courses offer expecting parents time to ask questions and discuss concerns, to practice skills and to get to know the other parents. Ideal for 24–36 weeks of pregnancy. They include:
- Realistic information about what happens during labour and birth
- Your full range of choices and options
- Comfort measures and pain management techniques
- Medical pain relief options (benefits, risks, alternatives)
- Possible complications and common interventions and ways to avoid them
- Informed decision making skills
- Partner support skills and knowledge, for birth and beyond
- Nurturing your newborn and yourself in the early days and weeks, including infant behaviour, breastfeeding and the transition to parenthood
- Information on local services and supports in the community
- Membership to Cuidiú parent support network included.
Only €50 is due at booking. The balance is paid 2 weeks before the course. If you are facing hardship or on low or no income, please contact me for reduced rate services.
more antenatal classes
1:1 options
In Your Own Home (up to 30km Radius of Galway)
Tailor-made Antenatal Classes to Suit Your Needs
You choose the dates, times and topics, and I come to you. This 1:1 option over 2 sessions (2hrs 15min each) is ideal for first-time parents (ideally a week apart), while a single session works well as a refresher for subsequent-time parents.
From the Comfort of Your Own Home
Tailor-made Antenatal Classes to Suit Your Needs
You choose the dates, times and topics. This 1:1 option takes place online in the comfort of your own space. Two sessions (2hrs 15min each) are ideal for first-time parents (ideally a week apart), while a single session works well as a refresher for subsequent-time parents. Ideal for busy people and those who don’t live close to Galway.
If you still can't find something suitable, don't hesitate to contact me. I will do my best to accommodate you.
Other Workshops
Breastfeeding Preparation Workshops
Breastfeeding basics are covered in all my Antenatal Ireland 1-day and 2-day courses, but these workshops offer more in-depth information and support.
- They are fun and interactive.
- Both you and your partner/support person will leave feeling confident, and with lots of new information to support a positive breastfeeding journey.
- The workshops cover the basics of how breastfeeding works, latch and positioning, common pitfalls and solutions.
- They work well as a stand-alone workshop or as a bonus class after a full antenatal class.
- Based in Galway
Email tara@doulanextdoor.ie for upcoming dates.
Other Workshops
Breastfeeding Preparation Workshops
Breastfeeding basics are covered in all my Antenatal Ireland 1-day and 2-day courses, but these workshops offer more in-depth information and support.
- They are fun and interactive.
- Both you and your partner/support person will leave feeling confident, and with lots of new information to support a positive breastfeeding journey.
- The workshops cover the basics of how breastfeeding works, latch and positioning, common pitfalls and solutions.
- They work well as a stand-alone workshop or as a bonus class after a full antenatal class.
- Based in Galway
Email tara@doulanextdoor.ie for upcoming dates.
What do my clients say?
Testimonials
Antenatal class with Tara was amazing, delighted we were able to go as we feel so much more informed and prepared now that we’ve done it. She was so knowledgeable and made the day really engaging and enjoyable.
Another (second baby) fabulous antenatal course with so much helpful guidance. Tara is so knowledgeable and great to put you at ease!
Tara’s 2-day in-person antenatal classes were exactly what we needed…What really stood out was how she recognised and acknowledged our individual worries, whether it was about labour, pain relief, or the basics of caring for a newborn. She didn’t just teach – she reassured, guided, and empowered us with practical information and tools. I’d highly recommend her classes to anyone feeling even slightly anxious about birth or early parenting. You’ll leave feeling far more prepared and supported.
I’m just writing to say thanks so much because your course contributed significantly to us having an incredibly stress-free labour and birth, even though it was in hospital which was the last place I wanted to be. There are so many things, but the main thing is that you gave us the confidence to speak up for what we wanted, and you had gone through all the significant things we had to consider. So I had a playlist of amazing music that I listened, sang and breathed to, I confidently refused continuous monitoring and [my partner] was able to insist on extended skin to skin and delayed cord clamping….So we are so thankful for your course, it looked deeply at everything we needed to know and over all gave us the confidence to know what we wanted and handle being in hospital rather than at home
What an incredible class . . . not only just wonderfully planned, thoughtful, and in depth with information and opportunity for reflection. Tara’s class is held in such a soothing and beautiful environment. Relaxing, welcoming, and easy to interact, learn, and walk away with positivity and preparedness for birth and postpartum.
[Tara’s course] exceeded my expectations - the hospital antenatal courses cover 'bullet-points' in a way. I wanted something more supportive and nurturing and the 1:1 format meant that I felt
free to ask any question. The detail provided about labour, birth, breastfeeding was fascinating
for both of us . . . a lot of my inhibitions and fears around labour have been allayed.