Ð԰ɵç̨

Third-year midwifery students at Ð԰ɵç̨ have leading antenatal classes for local pregnant people in Leicester.

The new teaching method, created by our School of Nursing and Midwifery, adds the Parent Education Sessions into a third-year module. Lecturers observe as students step up to lead four weekly sessions on labour, birthing environments, infant feeding options and the transition to parenthood.

Sessions are offered free for local pregnant people and their birthing partners, who gave some fantastic feedback:

“We enjoyed the hands-on, interactive elements. We actually got to change a baby, and practice feeding – it definitely took some of the worries away. I was really impressed with how much they knew and how engaged they were.”

Amy, mum-to-be, and one of 13 mums who attended the September course

“The session about pain relief was the most helpful because I wasn't really mentally prepared. But I found that there are so many more options than I thought and that perhaps it's not as scary as I’d imagined.”

Amina, expectant mum and Ð԰ɵç̨ graduate

The students seem to have got a lot out of the course too. El, who helped to run the September course, said:

“It's exciting for us as student midwives because we're finally getting the bond with women, talking to them, understanding them a lot more clearly. Just seeing the joy on the family's faces when they're practicing bathing a baby, you can tell how excited they are to become parents.”

And Aliyah had this to say about her time at Ð԰ɵç̨:

“I found it amazing. Honestly, these three years have been so special to me, and I'm really sad that it's coming to a close. I've learned so much, the lecturers have been absolutely amazing. All of the girls in the course are so supportive. Honestly, I couldn't have asked to be on a better course - I love it so much!”

The next parenting course is planned for Spring 2026, for local people who are 30 to 34 weeks' pregnant and their birthing partners. For more information email Rachel Wells at r.wells@dmu.ac.uk.