The value of antenatal class education: Preparing for Birth and Beyond in Dubai

January 1, 2025

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most transformative experiences, but let’s be honest—it can also feel overwhelming. As parents-to-be, it’s hard to prepare for the unknown, especially when you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s where antenatal education can make all the difference. In Dubai, where diverse cultures and lifestyles create a melting pot of information, a comprehensive and practical antenatal course tailored to your unique needs can transform your entire pregnancy, birth, and postnatal experience.

At Lullabies, we’re passionate about empowering families to approach birth and early parenthood with confidence and knowledge. That’s why we created the Birth & Beyond Masterclass—a holistic antenatal course designed to guide you through every step of the journey with expert knowledge, practical tools, and ongoing support.

Why antenatal education matters

Antenatal education is about more than learning the stages of labour or what to pack in your hospital bag. It’s about building a foundation for a smoother pregnancy, a more informed birth, and a confident transition into parenthood. With the right knowledge and preparation, parents-to-be can:

  • Feel empowered: Understanding what to expect during labour, delivery, and the postpartum period reduces fear and uncertainty, replacing them with confidence.
  • Make informed decisions: From birth preferences to feeding methods to sleep strategies, knowing your options allows you to choose what works best for your family.
  • Strengthen partnerships: Dads and partners can often feel unsure about their role. Our course provides clear guidance on how they can actively support both mum and baby and grow into their new role.
  • Build a village: The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” rings true. Our group classes create connections with other parents-to-be, building friendships and a support network that lasts well beyond the course. Our classes are based on the UK NCT model, and we firmly believe that the friends you meet in our parenting class can be the friends you keep for life.

What makes the Birth & Beyond Masterclass unique?

Our masterclass isn’t just another antenatal course—it’s an all-inclusive journey led in collaboration by three highly experienced healthcare professionals:

  • Lisa Adair, a paediatric nurse, IBCLC (lactation consultant), holistic sleep coach, baby massage teacher and antenatal educator with a gentle approach to early parenting, from Lullabies Expert Sleep & Lactation Consulting.
  • Sara Helzer, a registered nurse, and IBCLC with years of supporting families in Dubai, from Baby Coach UAE.
  • Nicola Oliver, a Midwife with an MSc in Midwifery and education, as well as a postnatal fitness instructor and birth debrief facilitator from The Fit Midwife.

Together, we’ve curated a comprehensive antenatal class in Dubai that ensures you’re ready for every aspect of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Here’s what you’ll learn:

  1. Pregnancy & hypnobirthing: Techniques to prepare your mind and body for a positive birthing experience.
  2. Labour & birth: Understanding the stages of labour, options like caesarean and water birth, and practical exercises to ease the process.
  3. Maternal health: Prioritising mental and physical wellness throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
  4. Baby care: From swaddling to bathing to safe sling wearing, our practical stations give you hands-on experience with vital newborn skills.
  5. Feeding options: Whether breastfeeding, formula feeding, or expressing, we’ll guide you through it all.
  6. Baby sleep: Learn realistic and gentle approaches to establishing safe & healthy sleep habits.
  7. Safety first: Car seat safety, baby-proofing, and understanding vaccinations and allergies.
  8. Dad’s role: Empowering dads to actively support and bond with their baby.

Postnatal support that goes the extra mile

One of the standout features of our course is the 28 days of midwife and lactation support via WhatsApp after birth. This continuity of care ensures you’re never alone as you travel through the early days with your newborn. Having already built a rapport with Nicola as your midwife or Lisa and Sara as your lactation consultants, you’ll feel comfortable reaching out for judgement free, expert guidance whenever you need it.

A course designed for busy parents

Held in a casual, centrally located venue with refreshments & meals available to purchase and plenty of parking, our classes are perfect for parents-to-be coming straight from work. We understand the fast-paced lifestyle of Dubai and have designed our sessions to be accessible, engaging, and supportive to fit into your schedule.

Benefits beyond the classroom

By joining the Birth & Beyond Masterclass, you’ll not only gain invaluable knowledge but also:

  • Build lasting friendships with other parents-to-be.
  • Feel reassured and prepared for birth and early parenthood.
  • Have access to an online resource library for easy reference.
  • Receive a 10% discount on future services with your course leaders.

Your birth experience, elevated

The journey to parenthood is filled with unknowns, but with the Birth & Beyond Masterclass, you’ll face them with confidence and clarity. From practical baby care to emotional preparation, our course covers everything you need—and didn’t even know you needed—to thrive as a new parent.

Sign up today and let us help you build your village, prepare for your baby, and feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Note: Our classes are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of Dubai's multicultural community, ensuring inclusive and comprehensive support for all expectant parents.

Important information

There is constant research in this field to ensure the safety of our children and guidelines and recommendations are updated regularly. Please remember that this article is a summary only of current guidance and check the links listed for more in-depth information. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, only to be used as guidance. Your own country may also have their own guidance. If in any doubt about any aspect of your baby/child's care, please consult with your paediatrician.