Aquanatal Classes

We offer two hour long Aquanatal Classes each week led by trained Independent Midwives. These are held on Monday evenings at The Abbey Sports Centre Berinsfield and The Wave Pool in Didcot on Wednesday mornings. These safe and enjoyable pregnancy exercise sessions are very popular and particularly useful for pregnant women as they facilitate cardio-vascular fitness, muscle strength and flexibility without the load-bearing work for the maternal joints that land based exercise involves.

We also focus on positions, movements and breathing work which mothers find helpful during labour and birth. Informal chats with drinks and healthy (ish) snacks follow where you can make friends and quiz the midwife leading the class. Contact Sarah or Liz for to enquire about availability of places and for more information. Please pay on the reception desk on arrival. Prices are charged per session and are currently under review. Please contact the facilities for more information (Abbey Sports Centre Berinsfield for Monday evening classes, The Wave Pool for Wednesday morning classes).

For Monday evening classes – please call Sarah on 07720 571 620.

For Wednesday morning classes – please call Liz on 07986 493 454.

For Facebook fans, we now have an Aqua Graduates Group where you can stay in touch with friends you make at our sessions. We often have birth announcements, birth stories and photos to share too.

Location Information

Monday evening: Berinsfield

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Wednesday morning: Didcot

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Feedback from Aqua Graduates

Christina

The swimming sessions were a highlight in my pregnancy… it doesn’t matter what you feel like on your way in, you know that you are going to feel great on the way out J it was really valuable and such a feel good session… when I talk to others that now have their babies but attended the session we all agree it is what we are going to miss most about being pregnant!

The network of friends that I built up from the sessions still meets once a week and offers support to each other with any challenges you face as a new mum.

Lou

The aquanatal classes were the highlight of my week - just to have an hour to myself to concentrate on my own pregnancy was pure bliss. Liz makes the classes so fun and light hearted, I felt really relaxed and positive when I stepped out of the pool. Her weekly 'pep talks' were both brilliant and inspiring - I know we all went away feeling so empowered and full of confidence about our bodies and what they were capable of! It was always amusing too to watch the other swimmers faces when we practiced our labour breathing and mooing techniques.......

Selina

Aquanatal really helped later in my pregnancy as I developed bad SPD. It gives you a great amount of help with keeping mobile and preparing for birth. I got all the information I needed and more from, in, and after the class. You are not made to do anything you are uncomfortable with in class and can partake in as little or lot as you want. I gained friends and support also from the classes and knowing that you are not alone and that what you experience is normal really, really helps.

I would sum up Aquanatal - for me it offers support, friendship, feeling normal, feeling welcomed, great advice, and happiness. To anyone that is thinking of going to any classes my advice is get up and go, now!

Mandy

At 7 months pregnant, I started attending the Aquanatal Sessions - what fun! I am assured it is beneficial to me and the baby. I have met two wonderful midwives who take the class who have made it very enjoyable. They have encouraged us to consider the benefits of having an active birth and exercising during pregnancy. This is my third child and I certainly wished I had attended with my other two. After the class we have coffee, and chat or moan about being pregnant and get advice from the midwife. I have learnt loads even though this is my third time around.