FEEL CONFIDENT WITH OUR PRENATAL COURSES
Prenatal education is one of the main pillars of our work. Our 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. Our teachers are experienced and highly qualified (doula, midwife, prenatal teacher) and we usually have 1 or 2 courses for first-time parents starting every month. We recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Our 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.
Each of our comprehensive prenatal courses, whether fully in-person or hybrid (50% live online/50% in-person), is tailored to the needs of the individual group. It lasts for 16-17 hours over several sessions and will typically cover these topics:
- The process and stages of labour
- Ways (and exercises) to make labour easier
- Pain-management options
- Choices in childbirth
- Medical interventions
- Belgian (hospital) birth procedures
- The process and stages of labour
- Ways (and exercises) to make labour easier
- Pain-management options
- Choices in childbirth
- Medical interventions
- Belgian (hospital) birth procedures
- The first hours with the baby
- Infant feeding
- Baby care
- Sleep of the baby
- Life as a family after birth
- Practical parenting tips and resources to find help and support
- The first hours with the baby
- Infant feeding
- Baby care
- Sleep of the baby
- Life as a family after birth
- Practical parenting tips and resources to find help and support
When all babies are born, the group will come together again for their postnatal reunion. This and each course session help new parents to develop a support and friendship network that continues long after the course ends.
As our courses are booked with a first year membership (unless you are already a member), all our social activities and services are accessible to you. You will learn about our Early Day Supporters and you might be interested to join our New Mums Group already during your pregnancy. Our playgroups also welcome new parents-to-be for a chat and a little peep of what’s to come. Additionally, we offer a range of helpful courses, classes and services for expectant parents such as pregnancy information evenings, prenatal exercise sessions, pain management equipment to hire as well as a sling library, baby wearing or cloth nappy information that might interest you. Not to forget our Nearly New Sale where you can buy fine quality baby equipment at bargain prices.
"The wealth of information I gained from this course not only enhanced my knowledge but also significantly boosted my confidence during labor. Moreover, the friends I made in the course provided me with unwavering courage and encouragement throughout my maternity leave. I am truly grateful for this enriching experience!"
PARTICIPANTS
Courses are normally attended by up to eight couples and single parents. Mothers- or fathers-to-be are welcome to attend sessions on their own. Pregnant women may choose to be accompanied by a family member or a friend.
LOCATIONS
We offer in-person and hybrid courses. The In-person course takes place at teachers’ homes in the Tervuren area. In-person sessions as part of hybrid courses take place at our Clubhouse in Ixelles. For live online session as part of hybrid courses we use Zoom.
COURSE COSTS
Our 17-hour Birth & Parenting courses cost €260 (in-person or hybrid), plus €57 first-year membership fee for non-BCT members.
Find out about the many wonderful benefits of a BCT membership.
WHEN TO ATTEND
Ideally your course should begin at around 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. We strongly advise that you choose a course that will finish at least two weeks before your baby is due. For multiple births we advise you to consider your due date as 36 weeks.
WHEN TO REGISTER
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
They provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Choose your course
Here are the dates and due dates for our upcoming courses. Please use the form below to book the course of your choice.
- Due in November 2024 - Hybrid
- Due in Nov/Dec 2024 - In person
- Due in December 2024 - Hybrid
- Due in January 2025 - Hybrid
- Due in Jan/Feb 2025 - In person
- Due in February 2025 - Hybrid
- Future Courses
Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - In progress
For babies due in November 2024: L24OG
- Tuesday, 3 September 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 8 September 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Tuesday, 10 September 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 15 September 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Thursday, 19 September 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
In-person course (Moorsel, Tervuren) - 1 space left
For babies due in November/December 2024: M24AC
- Thursday, 26 September 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 28 September 09:00 - 12:00
- Thursday, 3 October 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 5 October 09:00 - 12:00
- Thursday, 10 October 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 12 October 09:00 - 12:00
- Thursday, 17 October 19:30 - 21:30
Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Full
For babies due in December 2024: N24OG
- Tuesday, 1 October 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 6 October 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
- Tuesday, 8 October 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 13 October 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
- Thursday, 17 October 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces
For babies due in January 2025: O24OG
- Tuesday, 12 November 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 17 November 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Thursday, 21 November 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Sunday, 24 November 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Thursday, 28 November 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
In-person course (Moorsel, Tervuren) - Spaces
For babies due in January/February 2024: P24AC
- Tuesday, 12 November 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 16 November 09:00 - 12:00
- Tuesday, 19 November 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 23 November 09:00 - 12:00
- Tuesday, 26 November 19:30 - 21:30
- Saturday, 30 November 09:00 - 12:00
- Tuesday, 3 December 19:30 - 21:30
Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces
For babies due in February 2025: Q24OG
- Tuesday, 3 December 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Saturday, 7 December 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Thursday, 12 December 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
- Saturday, 14 December 09:00 - 13:30 – Clubhouse
- Tuesday, 17 December 19:30 - 22:00 – Zoom
Our courses are popular and usually fill up quickly.
If you would like to register your interest in a future course (online or in-person) that's not yet scheduled, please select the Future Date option on our online form.
We will get in touch with you as soon as a course is published.
Book a Birth & Parenting course
Before you book your course, please have a look at our practical information page to make sure you pick the right one.
NOTE FOR BCT MEMBERS: Please log in to Twizzit before opening the form or find it in your BCT Twizzit app under 'Subscriptions', so you don't pay for a BCT membership again.
NON-MEMBERS can use the form to pay for the course and BCT membership at the same time.
Thank you for being patient and allowing a few days for a response.
Important: Paying the fee for a prenatal course gives you the right to attend one of our courses. The prenatal team might contact you to move you to a course other than the one you picked as your first choice if that course is better suited to your due date.
Contact: If you have any questions, you can contact us at prenatal@bctbelgium.org.
"We feel that the BCT prenatal course made a real difference to the birth of our son. The course not only provided in depth details about what to expect before, during and after birth, but also taught powerful ways to relax the body and thus facilitate delivery."