September’s group is my last planned course of 2026 and I’d love to fill it with a really lovely group of local parents.

A practical, honest introduction to newborn life, feeding, first aid, recovery and the huge transition into parenthood.

28th September

Life With a Newborn

What can you realistically expect in those first days and weeks?

We’ll explore newborn behaviour, baby care essentials, recovery after birth, realistic expectations and looking after you too.

5th October

Feeding Your Baby

Evidence-based guidance from a Lactation Consultant covering breastfeeding, responsive feeding, common challenges and how partners can support the feeding journey — whatever feeding looks like for your family.

12th October

Sharing the Load, Recap & Social Celebration

Parenthood is a team sport.

We’ll talk about sharing the mental and physical load, navigating those early weeks together, revisit key themes from the course and create space for your questions.

Most importantly, there’ll be time to connect with the other parents in your group and celebrate how far you’ve come.

19th October

Pelvic Health & Recovery

Expert advice from Karen Ellis, former Midwife and Postnatal Recovery Expert, helping you understand and prepare for recovery before your baby even arrives.

We’ll also explore safe sleep and normal newborn behaviour, helping you understand what newborn sleep really looks like and what to expect during those early months.

19th October Pelvic Health & Recovery

Expert advice from Karen Ellis, former Midwife and Postnatal Recovery Expert, helping you prepare for recovery before your baby even arrives. Standalone tickets available.

Or Book the full antenatal course with additional 3 dates for £100 more (£95 saving)

Highlights for the full antenatal programme. Feeding preparation workshop. Diary first aid baby essentials & more, Normal newborn behaviour and soothing techniques.

7 sessions • 14+ hours • Birth partner included • Guest experts • WhatsApp community • Ongoing support • Post-birth connection

Choose your journey:

BIRTH READY — £195
Birth preparation • Hypnobirthing • Birth choices • Birth partners

NEWBORN READY — £195
Newborn life • Feeding • First aid • Sharing the load • Recovery

BIRTH, BABY & BEYOND — £295
The complete journey + community + ongoing support

Then BOOK YOUR PLACE.

📍 Swarthmoor Hall

🕕 Mondays 6–8:30pm

👫 Birth partners included

Meet Your Experts

Learn from a team of experienced professionals including:

• Megan – Hypnobirthing Teacher

• Leanne Stitt – Nurse, Doula & Course Facilitator

• Bernice – Lactation Consultant (feeding workshop only)

• Jules – Daisy First Aid (life with a newborn)

• Karen Ellis – Former Midwife & Postnatal Recovery Expert

Perfect For

• First-time parents

• Experienced parents wanting a refresher

• Any birth setting or birth choice

• Those wanting practical information, not scare stories

• Parents who would like ongoing support beyond birth

• Anyone hoping to meet other local parents before baby arrivesm

  By the end of the course you’ll feel more confident about labour, more prepared for life with a newborn, and better equipped to make decisions that feel right for your family.

Spaces are limited to keep the group friendly, personal and interactive.

Reduced-cost places

A small number of subsidised places are available for those who may be unable to afford the full course fee.

You may wish to apply if you are experiencing financial pressure because of circumstances such as:

● Reduced household income

● Redundancy or changes to employment

● Benefits or financial support

● Unexpected expenses

● Housing or family difficulties

● Other circumstances affecting your ability to pay

There is no need to provide extensive personal details. Applications are considered with care, compassion and confidentiality.

If you would like to discuss an affordable place, please contact Doula Diary privately. We can talk through your circumstances and explore what may be possible.

Please do not feel embarrassed about getting in touch.

Every family deserves access to kind, inclusive and supportive antenatal education.

Antenatal Course — Booking Terms & Conditions

1. Booking & Payment

• Your place on the Rooted & Ready Antenatal Course is confirmed once full payment or an agreed payment plan has been received.

• Places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

• If payment is not received within the agreed timeframe, your space may be released to another family.

2. Cancellations & Refunds

• Cancellations made more than 21 days before the course start date may receive a refund minus a non-refundable deposit/admin fee.

• Cancellations within 21 days of the course start date are non-refundable, as your space has been reserved.

• If you are unable to attend due to early birth or medical circumstances, please contact us  alternative arrangements or partial credit may be offered at discretion.

• Missed sessions cannot be refunded or transferred.

3. Changes to Course Schedule

• Occasionally sessions, guest speakers or course content may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

• If a session needs to be rescheduled, you will be offered an alternative date or suitable replacement content.

• In the unlikely event the course is cancelled by the organiser, a full refund will be provided.

4. Nature of the Course

• This antenatal course provides education, preparation and emotional support only.

• It does not replace medical care or advice from your midwife, GP or healthcare provider.

• All decisions regarding pregnancy, birth and postnatal care remain your responsibility in consultation with your medical team.

5. Health & Wellbeing

• Please inform us of any relevant health considerations, pregnancy complications or accessibility needs so sessions can be adapted where possible.

• Participation in movement, relaxation or practical activities is always optional and should be guided by your own comfort and medical advice.

6. Group Space & Respect

• Rooted & Ready is a supportive and confidential space.

• Participants are asked to respect the privacy and experiences of others within the group.

• We reserve the right to remove anyone whose behaviour is unsafe, disrespectful or disruptive without refund.

7. Communication & Support

• Course participants will be invited to join a community WhatsApp group for connection and updates.

• Ongoing text doula support with Leanne is available during the course period and is intended for guidance and reassurance, not emergency or medical advice.

• Emergency concerns should always be directed to your healthcare provider or emergency services.

8. Photography & Media

• Photos may occasionally be taken for promotional purposes only with prior consent.

• You may opt out of photography at any time.

9. Liability

• By booking the course, you acknowledge that participation is voluntary.

• The facilitator accepts no responsibility for medical outcomes or personal injury arising from participation, except where required by UK law.

10. Agreement

By booking your place, you confirm that:

• you have read and understood these terms and conditions

• you understand the educational nature of the course

• you agree to participate respectfully within a group setting

Beyond the Squeeze understanding your pelvic floor & core.

Karen Ellis is a former midwife, mum of two and postnatal recovery expert who is passionate about helping women feel confident and informed in their bodies during pregnancy and beyond.

Drawing on her clinical midwifery experience and her own lived experience of motherhood, Karen teaches pelvic floor and core health in a way that feels practical, down-to-earth and easy to understand. She believes women deserve more than vague advice or being told to “just do your pelvic floor squeezes” and instead focuses on helping you truly connect with your body, trust it and support it through pregnancy, birth and early recovery.

Her sessions are calm, supportive and empowering, leaving women feeling reassured, prepared and far more confident about what their bodies are capable of.

Session Overview:

Most women are told to “just do your pelvic floor squeezes” during pregnancy.

But no one really explains how to connect properly, how to relax it for birth, or how to protect it during pregnancy and in the early days after your baby arrives.

In this practical and empowering session, former midwife and postnatal recovery expert Karen Ellis will help you truly understand your pelvic floor, not just squeeze it.

You’ll learn how to:

• Connect properly with your pelvic floor and lower abdominal muscles so your whole core is supported
• Use that connection in everyday life during pregnancy, when you cough, lift, move or carry
• Lengthen and relax your pelvic floor so it can get out of the way during birth
• Use relaxation during pushing instead of fighting against your body
• Support your recovery confidently in the early postnatal days

This session is about understanding your body so you feel calmer, more prepared for birth, and more confident about recovery.

AND There is a workbook with QR codes, so you can go away with additional info. 

You’ll leave knowing what to do, how to do it, and why it matters.

Because your pelvic floor deserves more than guesswork.

LIVE zoom 19th October 7pm

Facilitated by Leanne, Doula, Nurse & Parent & Baby Wellbeing Teacher. 

45 minutes of teaching with time for questions.

This session will be recorded and available to reply for 2 weeks after the event.

Includes really helpful Digital Workbook.