Testimonial

“With my previous 3 pregnancies I suffered backache, extreme tiredness, swollen ankles and generally felt awful.

This pregnancy was completely different, no back pain, no swelling and I had so much energy, I felt great. I have also made some great friends. Thank you so much for these sessions I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Mother - Fit 4 Mums-to-Be

Events and activities

Antenatal Classes

Parents 1st are providing free antenatal classes delivered by a fully qualified antenatal teacher. These are held at the South Ockendon Children’s Centre (Compass Centre) and are for expectant parents living in the local area.

We know how difficult and daunting it can be becoming a parent for the first (or second) time. Our aim is to help and support parents with the changes they face.

There are lots of opportunities to meet others and decide what would be helpful to you.

Benefits identified by expectant parents who have attended our classes include:

  • Improved awareness of birth choices
  • Reduced anxiety about labour and birth
  • Improved relaxation skills and coping with labour effectively
  • Improved awareness of pain relief options
  • Improved birth experience
  • Feeling more confident about becoming a parent
  • Fathers feeling more aware of their role and relationship with their baby
  • Improved confidence and self-esteem
  • These free antenatal classes can be booked with your midwife or contact us for more information.

Fit 4 Mums-to-be

Fit 4 Mums-to-be is a 2 hour weekly continuous exercise programme from early pregnancy to birth. It is particularly aimed at mothers who do not normally exercise or may be overweight. Sessions are led by Sally Taylor, who is a fully qualified YMCA personal trainer who specialises in prenatal and postnatal exercise. She is very friendly and approachable and has 10 years experience of providing exercise sessions for pregnant mums.

Light refreshments and an informal talk follow each session about topics of interest such as healthy eating, preparing for labour and birth, emotional support and breastfeeding. Many parents return to the group after the birth to keep in touch and share their experiences.

Benefits for mums-to-be:

  • Improved posture and reduced pregnancy discomfort
  • Healthier and more active pregnancy
  • Improved preparation for labour and birth
  • Positive outcomes for labour and birth
  • Increased confidence to breastfeed
  • Mutual support from other parents
  • Feel good factor

Benefits for baby:

  • Less body fat at birth
  • Less diabetes and high blood pressure when teenagers and adultsng
  • Less infant colic
  • Improvements to speech and development (tested at age 5)

3 Sessions are now running at :

:- The Community House (Grays Riverside Community Association) Seabrook Rise, Grays, Essex, RM17 6DR, every Wednesday morning 10 am until 12 pm and at;
 
:- The All About Centre, James Hornsby School, Leinster Road, Laindon, Essex, SS15 5NX, every Wednesday evening 7 pm until 9 pm

and now we have added a new session every Friday morning 10.30 a.m to 12.30 p.m at

:- Northlands Children's Centre, Davenants, Pitsea, Essex SS13 1QX

Please note: before booking a place, please check with your midwife that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t join this exercise programme
For further information or to book your place contact us now.

 ‘Bumps and Buddies’ 

Coming soon: -

Find out more about..

  • Nutrition
  • Fitness & Wellbeing
  • Infant feeding
  • Pregnancy timelines
  • Information for dads
  • Meet our Pregnancy Pals and Birth Buddies.

A great opportunity to find out all the things you want to know about pregnancy and your journey to parenthood. Come along to one or all of our free monthly local events, have your questions answered and meet other local Parents-to-be.