Preparing for Birth

Taking some time out to prepare emotionally, physically and practically for the birth of your baby and the challenges of early parenthood can help get family life off to a great start.

It can also be a nice way to meet other mums (and dads) expecting a baby around the same time as you!

Many people attending English-language prenatal courses are also expats, so they understand what it’s like being far from home at such a special time in their lives. And the small group sizes give you the chance to develop a support and friendship network that can last long after the course finishes.

In Belgium you’ll find a whole range of classes, from one-off ‘information sessions’, to ‘general’ prenatal classes that cover various aspects of labour and birth and the early postnatal period, to prenatal yoga, aqua natal classes and many more. It’s also worth taking a specific preparation for breastfeeding class before your baby is born. Check if this is covered in any prenatal course you choose or book it separately.

While there is a bigger choice of classes in French and Dutch, it is possible to find classes in English, or other languages are spoken.

Here we look at some of the following types of class:

  • one-off information sessions

  • general prenatal courses

  • prenatal physiotherapy

  • prenatal yoga

  • hypnobirthing

  • aqua natal classes

  • sessions with a doula

One-off Information Sessions

The Brussels Childbirth Trust (BCT)’s Pregnancy in Belgium information session is a good place to start to find out the basics and ask questions. Ideal for anyone hoping to conceive, or in early pregnancy, sessions typically explore choices in care provider and place of birth, financial and administrative aspects, support and resources. These sessions are very popular, but spaces are limited, so book early.

Kate at Simply Hypnobirth offers an online ‘Empower Hour’ where she will talk through the Belgian maternity services with you and answer questions related to your own individual circumstances.

Prenatal Courses

Whilst attending a prenatal course may not affect perceptions of labour pain or the rates of straightforward birth, studies show that they do improve satisfaction with the birth experience

(McMillan, Barlow & Redshaw, 2009)

Prenatal courses usually have around 12-16 hours of ‘class’ time, which may take place in the evening and/or during longer weekend sessions. Class size can vary and same-sex couples and single attendees are of course warmly welcomed. It is possible to take courses in English in Belgium - particularly in Brussels.

What do prenatal courses cover?

Prenatal courses cover a wide variety of topics, and typically include a mixture of discussion, information and practical activities that aim to empower parents-to-be and help them to make informed decisions during pregnancy, birth and parenthood. They focus on providing you not only with evidenced-based information but also with the skills you need to make your own decisions about labour and birth – decision-making skills that will serve you well throughout parenting.

They also allow you to explore the practical and emotional aspects of giving birth and becoming parents that are most relevant to you. Partners (if present) are involved throughout the course, and discover ways to support mums-to-be and to recognise and address their own needs.

Logo with outline of a pregnant person embracing their belly, featuring a heart symbol on the belly, encircled by the text 'The Positive Birth Hub' in purple on a teal background.

Trust Your Body, Know Your Options, Own Your Birth

The Positive Birth Hub: Empowering Birth & Parenthood in Brussels

Expecting a baby in Belgium? The Positive Birth Hub is here to support you! Founded by experienced childbirth educators and doulas—Kate, Jane, and Emily—our mission is to provide empowering and informative prenatal and postnatal classes for the expat community in Brussels.

Our Breathe! Signature Prenatal Course (5 sessions, 16 hours) helps parents trust their instincts, understand birth physiology, and make informed choices with confidence. We also offer specialized workshops on breastfeeding, hypnobirthing, first aid, and more.

Join us and take control of your birth experience!

🌐 Learn more: www.pregnantinbelgium.com
📍 Based in Brussels

Hypnobirthing Courses

Hypnobirthing is a method of birth preparation that helps the mother to reach a state of mental and physical relaxation that allows for a calm and peaceful birth.

Through Simply Hypnobirth, hypnobirthing practitioner and childbirth educator Kate Ellwood, offers a complete 12 hour birth education course that focuses on hypnobirthing techniques that help you replace negativity and fear about childbirth with calm confidence. But also guide you through the Belgian maternity service. Sessions in your own home or online.

Simply Hypnobirth logo with waves and tagline "build confidence, release fear"

Sessions with a doula

If you are looking for an individualised approach, many doulas offer birth preparation sessions as part of their birth package. A doula can help you to reflect on the kind of birth experience you would like to have and tailor her support to your needs. Preparation with a doula can help you and your partner to approach your birth with confidence. A doula not only supports the birthing woman she offers guidance and encouragement to their partner, helping them stay fully engaged and connected during labour. This ‘teamwork’ between doula and partner creates a wonderfully collaborative and supportive environment and partners will be emboldened by how reassuring their involvement is and by what a difference they can make to the birth experience.

Read more about the kind of support doulas can offer, and about finding a doula and our blog: A Doula? - 6 good reasons why

Brussels Childbirth Trust Prenatal Courses

The BCT Birth and Parenting courses are carefully designed to give parents-to-be time to explore the many issues and questions about pregnancy, birth and early parenthood as part of a friendly and supportive peer group, usually with due dates around the same time. They perfectly complement both physiotherapy sessions and a hospital class or visit. These very interactive sessions involve a mix of discussion, information and practical activities in a relaxed small-group environment.

Their aim is to provide essential information and help you to make informed decisions during pregnancy and birth, communicate more effectively with health professionals and look forward to birth and early parenthood with confidence.

Antenatal and Baby Birth Preparation Classes

The Antenatal and Baby prenatal birth classes prepare the pregnant woman and her partner realistically and totally for what is to come. They recommend that you aim to complete your birth preparation by your 36/37th week of pregnancy. No more than 8 couples/singles per course. Same-sex couples and single attendees warmly welcomed. Led by midwives, a paediatric occupational therapist, a paediatrician and IBCLC lactation consultants.

Prenatal Physiotherapy

In Belgium, many women attend prenatal physiotherapy (‘kiné prénatal’ / ‘prenatale kinesitherapie’) sessions as a way to prepare for birth – read more about the role of the physiotherapist.

Your ‘mutuelle’ / ‘ziekenfonds’ will partially reimburse nine sessions of physiotherapy per pregnancy, and your gynaecologist midwife will give you a ‘prescription’ for these sessions around the fifth month of pregnancy. Note: only individual sessions are officially reimbursed by the mutuelle.

Many physiotherapists also offer group classes which may include: gentle exercise during pregnancy; ways to overcome some pregnancy discomforts; an overview of what to expect during labour; advice on coping with contractions including positions and breathing and relaxation techniques. These are in theory not reimbursed by the mutuelle.

Mums usually attend these classes alone, and some physiotherapists also run classes where partners can come along to learn how to support the mum during labour.

What if I need more than nine sessions of physiotherapy?

In addition to the nine sessions of perinatal physiotherapy per pregnancy, each calendar year it is possible to have a total of 18 sessions for a specific reason (i.e. two additional prescriptions of nine sessions each).

So, any extra sessions you need after the birth can be taken under the umbrella of ‘pelvic floor re-education’.

Finding a Physio

To find your physio ask:

  • your gynaecologist or midwife

  • your general practitioner

  • your friends and colleagues

  • Local Facebook groups

Prenatal Yoga 

Prenatal yoga is a gentle form of yoga that keeps you in shape during pregnancy, explores positions that can be useful during labour and birth, and bring awareness to the importance of calm breathing and relaxation for a low-stress pregnancy and birth.

  • Emily Gold runs prenatal yoga classes that combine strength-building poses to help you feel empowered throughout your pregnancy as well as specific breathwork, meditation and restorative yoga poses to help reduce stress and help you remain calm and mindful. Sessions can also be tailored to help with the management of common prenatal mental health conditions including prenatal anxiety and depression. 

  • Sophie Girard-Sequeira runs Yoga for pregnancy and birth classes that combine the benefits of yoga with effective physical and mental preparation for labour and birth. Classes include the use of gravity and the breath in gentle yoga movements, the practice of positions for labour and birth, breathing practice for labour and birth, and relaxation and visualisation to help you connect with your growing baby. Online booking available. Sophie also offers private hypnobirthing classes and doula guidance sessions.

  • With her prenatal yoga classes, Irene Ibbe gives you the opportunity to reconnect with the changing shapes of the pregnant body whilst helping to maintain strength and posture. Breathing techniques and soundings are used as a powerful tool to connect to oneself and one’s baby as well as to increase energy stores and feelings of rejuvenation.

Aquanatal classes

Prenatal aquagym classes ideally take place in a pool heated to around 32°, and partners are usually welcome too.

Classes usually consist of gentle exercises for overall fitness as well as breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that can be useful in labour. Many women particularly enjoy the freedom of movement that water provides (the buoyancy of the water means you only experience about 30% of your weight), especially later in pregnancy.

You can find aquanatal classes in:

Some hospitals also organise prenatal aquagym classes – ask your gynaecologist or hospital.

Read more about postnatal care and support click below