Chapter One: The Birth Journey Antenatal Class -Friendly antenatal classes in Reading – Chapter One prepares you for birth and beyond
Fun. Informative. Hands-On. Safe.
From pregnancy to parenthood, Chapter One offers hands-on, inclusive sessions covering birth, newborn care, mental wellbeing, and building your support circle.
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Becoming a parent is the beginning of a brand new chapter—one that deserves care, preparation, and support.
Chapter One: The Birth Journey is our five-week antenatal class designed to help you feel confident, informed, and ready to welcome your baby.
Led by Hayley, an experienced Family Support Worker and Birth Coach, our sessions are relaxed, evidence-based and genuinely supportive—with plenty of real talk, practical tools, and time to connect with other parents-to-be.
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What’s Included
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This course runs over five weekly 2-hour sessions, with an optional baby reunion once your little ones arrive.
Each session follows a key part of your birth journey:
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Session 1: Staying Healthy in Pregnancy
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Feeling well in the third trimester
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The power of oxytocin, exercise, pelvic floor & prep
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Packing your hospital bag and choosing your place of birth
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Emotional wellbeing for both parents
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Creating your ‘Oxytocin Box’
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Session 2: Pain Management, Birth Choices & Interventions
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Understanding the stages of labour
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Natural & medical pain relief options
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Birth partner roles & advocacy tools
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Induction, CTG monitoring, assisted birth & caesarean
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Session 3: Birth, Boobs & Newborn Care
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What happens after birth (skin-to-skin, placenta, checks)
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Feeding basics: breast, bottle and beyond
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Caring for your newborn in the first hours and days
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Session 4: The Postnatal Period & Newborn Life
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Post-birth recovery, hormones & healing
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Baby sleep, crying, early communication & bonding
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Adjusting to life at home with your baby
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Session 5: Relaxation & Social
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Breathwork, grounding, and massage practice
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Group reflection & connecting with your parenting village
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Practical prep & final Q&A
Bonus: Reunion Session
Once babies are here, come back for tea, cuddles and connection. Share your stories and support one another through the early days.
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Why Take an Antenatal Class?
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Antenatal education has been shown to:
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Build birth confidence
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Reduce anxiety and fear
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Improve postnatal recovery
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Strengthen birth partner support
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Encourage informed decision-making
It also helps you connect with local families and feel less alone in your transition to parenthood.
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Why Choose Chapter One with Our Story & Co.?
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At Our Story & Co., we support the whole parent—not just the birth plan. This course combines trusted information with real-life wisdom in a space that is:
✔ Honest and inclusive
✔ Warm and judgement-free
✔ Practical and empowering
✔ Partner-friendly and social
✔ Rooted in emotional wellbeing and connection
We celebrate your journey—whatever it looks like.​​
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Meet Your Facilitator: Hayley
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At the heart of Chapter One: The Birth Journey is Hayley—an experienced Family Support Worker, Parenting & Birth Coach, and mum of four with a real passion for supporting families through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Hayley brings warmth, energy and a fantastic sense of humour to every session. She knows how to keep things real—offering the perfect balance of expert guidance, emotional support, and the occasional well-timed laugh that every expectant parent needs.
Hayley has worked in the local community for over 15 years. Her professional background includes qualifications in:
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Family Support Work
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Infant Massage Instruction
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Early Years Practice
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Parenting & Birth Coaching
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Mental Health Awareness (NVQ)
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Counselling Skills
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Education, Childcare & Working with Families
But it’s not just her professional experience that makes Hayley so relatable—it’s her personal story, too.
After the birth of her first child, Hayley experienced anxiety and loneliness during maternity leave, and has also faced the heartbreak of pregnancy loss. These experiences have given her deep empathy for the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a parent—and fuelled her mission to make sure no one feels alone on their journey.
Together with co-founder Jade, Hayley launched Her Story & Co. to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for all women and families—where your story matters, your choices are respected, and your wellbeing comes first.
You’ll find Hayley leading our antenatal classes with kindness, clarity and care—creating a welcoming space where you can ask questions, learn new things, connect with others, and feel truly supported as you prepare to meet your baby.
Prefer One-to-One Support?
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If a group setting isn’t quite your thing—or if you’d prefer a more personalised approach—we also offer private, one-to-one antenatal sessions tailored to your needs. Whether you'd like focused support around a particular topic, a flexible schedule, or just a quieter space to prepare, we’re happy to help. Simply get in touch to chat through the options.