BCT birth and parenting courses

Birth & Parenting Courses

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

We recommend that you book when you are three or four months pregnant in order to be assured of a course for first-time parents. However, places can still become available at the last minute so even if your pregnancy is more advanced, please do contact us.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

We have put together some practical information you might find helpful when booking a course with us.

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 links below to book the course of your choice.

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - FULL

For babies due from beginning January to mid February 2025: O24OG

  • Tuesday, 12 November 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 17 November 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 21 November 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 24 November 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 28 November 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces

For babies due from mid February to end March 2025: A25OG

  • Thursday, 9 January 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 12 January 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 16 January 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 26 January 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 30 January 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

In-person course (Moorsel, Tervuren) - Spaces

For babies due in March/April 2025: B25AC

  • Wednesday, 8 January 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 11 January 09:00 - 12:00
  • Wednesday, 15 January 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 18 January 09:00 - 12:00
  • Wednesday, 22 January 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 25 January 09:00 - 12:00
  • Wednesday, 29 January 19:30 - 21:30

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces

For babies due in April 2025: C25OG

  • Tuesday, 28 January 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Saturday, 1 February 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 6 February 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Saturday, 8 February 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 13 February 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces

For babies due in May 2025: D25OG

  • Thursday, 13 March 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 23 March 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 27 March 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 30 March 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 3 April 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

In-person course (Moorsel, Tervuren) - Spaces

For babies due in May/June 2025: E25AC

  • Thursday, 6 March 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 8 March 09:00 - 12:00
  • Thursday, 13 March 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 15 March 09:00 - 12:00
  • Thursday, 20 March 19:30 - 21:30
  • Saturday, 22 March 09:00 - 12:00
  • Thursday, 27 March 19:30 - 21:30

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces

For babies due in June 2025: F25OG

  • Tuesday, 1 April 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Saturday, 5 April 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Tuesday, 8 April 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Saturday, 26 April 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Tuesday, 29 April 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

Online and BCT Clubhouse Ixelles - Spaces

For babies due in July/August 2025: G25OG

  • Tuesday, 6 May 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 11 May 09:00 - 13:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 15 May 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom
  • Sunday, 18 May 09:00 - 12:00 – Clubhouse
  • Thursday, 22 May 19:00 - 22:00 – Zoom

 

Our courses are popular and usually fill up quickly.

If you would like to register your interest in a future course that's not yet scheduled, please select one of the two Future Date options 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 'Offer', 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.

If you require a later course, please fill in the 'Future courses' form and we will get back to you when we have new dates.

Please note that there is no central office for prenatal course bookings - all of our booking team are volunteers working from home.

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."