University lecturer launches Welsh-medium antenatal classes in Carmarthen and Aberystwyth

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From the beginning of June, Rachel Williams, a Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Midwifery Lecturer at Swansea University, will launch the first official Welsh-medium antenatal classes in Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.

Dosbarthiadau cyn geni / Antenatal classesThese classes will be the first official Welsh-medium antenatal classes held in South West Wales.

Led by Rachel Williams from Ammanford, who was a practising midwife for over 15 years, the Carmarthen classes will be held at the new midwife-led unit at Glangwili Hospital, between 6.30pm – 8pm every Monday from June 1.

The Aberystwyth classes will be held in the Postgraduate Centre at Aberystwyth University, between 6.30pm – 8pm every Thursday from 4 June.

Aimed at expectant mothers who are 28 weeks pregnant or over, the classes will be held once a week over a four-week period. Midwifery students from Swansea University will also be present to provide additional support during the classes.

The topics covered by the antenatal classes are:

  • health in pregnancy and after the birth
  • what happens during labour and birth
  • coping with labour and information about different types of pain relief
  • information about different kinds of birth and interventions
  • caring for your baby, including feeding and bathing

Rachel WilliamsRachel Williams (left), said: “By conducting these classes, I hope to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where mothers and their partners can receive information in their native language, in an uncomplicated way without too much medicalised jargon.

The classes will be interactive, and I hope that everyone will feel comfortable in taking part in the various activities over the course of four weeks. I also hope that by attending these classes, parents-to-be can establish long-term friendships with the other parents who attend”.

Sian James, an expectant mother from Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, said: “I think these classes offer a great opportunity – not only to learn more about pregnancy and birth, but to be able to ask questions to a professional in my mother-tongue, who can give realistic answers. I’d love to meet other Welsh-speaking mothers, not only to feel relaxed, but also to make friends with Welsh families”.

For further information, or to register your place, contact Rachel Williams: r.a.williams@swansea.ac.uk 01792 606223 / 07776300635