Frequently Asked Questions

Do I NEED to do an Antenatal Course?

I think the answer to this question doesn’t necessarily lie with how you approach other areas of your life, but with how you would like to feel after the birth of your baby. For some women who like to have control over other areas of their life, it seems an obvious choice to book some form of antenatal education course. But for others, it may not seem an obvious need.

However, there is so much about labour and birth that can be influenced by a mother who is ‘in the know’ and understands what her body is doing during labour. She can work to optimise her contractions and reduce the length of labour, feel calm and in control with breathing techniques and hypnobirthing tools, reduce the chances of needing instrumental delivery and create a birthing environment that is right for her.

Antenatal classes used to be essential in the UK, but now it is left up to the individual to find a private provider and course that suits them.

What I do know is that women who are unprepared for labour and birth, who have not invested the time in education, often feel frightened and do not cope with the new experience as well as those who have attended an antenatal workshop.

How is a MAMBA Antenatal Course Different to an NCT Course?

The MAMBA antenatal courses incorporate all evidence-based education around labour and birth and baby care. We don’t just focus on natural birth, but give you all of the information on all of your options around pain relief, assisted delivery and cesarean sections. Our baby care and feeding courses also look at choices such as bottle feeding, and combination feeding not just Breast Feeding (although we do cover that comprehensively well too!).

MAMBA offers both the ability to meet others on a group online course, or to feel more individually supported in a private course. The choice is entirely yours! Some of the online courses also enable you to self-navigate the course content and follow up videos and material at your own pace and remaining in place to support you even after your baby is born.

For some, NCT is a course holds the benefit of meeting other local families expecting around the same time, however the education is more focused on natural birth and can be less inclusive of other choices.

With a private course from MAMBA you can tailor make the course to suit your individual circumstances and needs, and agree days that work better for you. You get to have 1-2-1 support and education without the group pressure.

What if I am having a Planned C-Section?

With the rise in planned C-Section rates in the UK, it can be hard for couples to get an antenatal course that is right for them. Through MAMBA you can tailor a private course to your individual circumstances, meaning that we can substitute the Active Birth and Physiological Birth element of the day for a ‘Comprehensive Overview on Cesarean Section Delivery’, as well as including our ‘How To Plan For The Best Possible C-Section’ and ‘Recovering From A C-Section’ sections. Many of the elements of breathing techniques, hypnobirthing and relaxation are also invaluable to women in these circumstances.

Do We Get Handouts?

Absolutely! Handouts, cheat sheets, videos and info-graphics are shared every module of a course behind a ‘magical secret portal’ on the website. These are available to you for a year after your baby is born.

If you wish to print it off for your records you are most welcome to, but having it accessible electronically on your phone or computer is invaluable for may people.

You don’t need to take any notes on the day - everything will be followed up for you to refresh your learning as the weeks progress, as well as expand into areas you are more interested in through links to further resources. The workshop day or session is a time for you to just enjoy the confidence building journey and ask as many questions as you like!

What are your Cancellation and Refund Terms?

Terms and Conditions will be sent out prior to the point of booking, but essentially we always try and work around any changes in your circumstances (with reasonable notice) to enable you to still receive the support you need. Full refunds will be given for cancellations received greater than 10 days before the course start date.

As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, special circumstances are taken into account for courses that need to be rearranged.

In the unfortunate event of miscarriage or other medical reasons preventing you from completing any MAMBA workshop course, then we would provide a full refund for workshops or sessions outstanding.

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