5 – Preparation for birth

This is a mandatory consultation organised on an individual basis by a midwife to establish a personalised care plan, suggest a suitable support network, and ensure the best possible preparation for the birth and the postnatal period.

• Around 14 weeks of amenorrhoea: discussion on pregnancy care and the various birth preparation options
• Around 30 weeks of amenorrhoea: birth, drawing up a birth plan, postnatal care
• Time: 30 mins
• Where? Route 510 A – Advance booking required at 206 Prenatal Consultation Prenatal

Every Monday, from 6pm to 8pm at the FORUM (CHU Saint-Pierre – Entrance C, Rue Haute 322 – 1000 Brussels), we organise a prenatal information session for expectant parents.

Led by one or more midwives, these sessions are designed to be lively and interactive. Partners are more than welcome!

Bookings can be made via our antenatal clinic secretarial team (Route 205) or by telephone (02/535.47.13).

The different topics:

• Choosing your maternity unit: This session is aimed at couples planning to conceive, those in the early stages of pregnancy, and those wishing to change hospitals. Register here

  The aim of this session is to introduce you to our maternity unit as a whole, from antenatal care through to delivery and postnatal care, as well as our philosophy of care and the various services we offer. Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed and conscious decision regarding your choice of maternity unit. Session held once a month.

• La grossesse (dès 15 semaines): La grossesse est un événement surprenant. Le corps de la femme change rapidement. Entre envies, petits maux, modifications physiques et psychiques, les sages-femmes vont faire la lumière sur ce qu’il faut faire ou ne pas faire pendant sa grossesse. Une séance remplie de conseils d’hygiène, d’alimentation, de sports, etc… Une façon de faire table rase des idées reçues autour de la grossesse. Un moment indispensable d’échanges et de discussions.
• Childbirth Preparation (Starting at 28 Weeks): Giving birth can be a magical experience if you’re prepared for it. This session will help you understand how childbirth unfolds. When should you come to the hospital? What is a contraction? What can the support person do to best help the mother? How can labor pain be managed? How do you welcome your baby? In short, we’ll try to shed some light on the unknowns surrounding the moment of birth. Egalement les premiers lundis du mois de 18h-20h
• Breastfeeding Your Newborn (Starting at 30 Weeks): You have chosen to breastfeed your baby. As a BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative) hospital, we specialize in supporting mothers who choose to breastfeed their newborns. Our lactation consultants will provide plenty of advice to help you prepare for the birth. Our lactation consultants will offer plenty of advice to help you prepare for the birth.They will also help the caregiver find their place during this special time in your baby’s first days of life. If you’ve chosen to bottle-feed your baby with formula and have many questions, we invite you to schedule a one-on-one appointment to discuss them.
• Returning Home and the Co-Parents’ Coffee Hour (starting at 32 weeks): Have you ever heard of the “fourth trimester” of pregnancy? Ingrid Bayot, a midwife, explains it very well. These three months after birth are so important, yet we’re so ill-prepared for them. Our midwives will offer plenty of advice to help you enjoy this time to the fullest and with peace of mind.
  At the end of the session, Moïse, a parent-child partner with the ONE (Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance), will host a gathering for future dads and co-parents to meet, share, and discuss their new roles as parents.
• Crying, Development, and Sleep in Newborns (After Giving Birth with Your Baby or During Prenatal Care): Dr. Carouy, a general pediatrician with a passion for newborns, will talk to you about the unique adventure of life with a baby. His engaging presentation will help you gain a clearer understanding of your baby—whom you don’t always fully understand. On the third Tuesday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

If you would like more information about your pregnancy and the changes it brings, to understand the mechanics of childbirth and to discuss the arrival of your baby into your family, group antenatal classes are organised by the hospital’s midwives (pre- and postnatal yoga, comprehensive preparation, water-based preparation, babywearing workshop, massage for pregnant women, hypnobirthing)

These sessions will also give you the opportunity to share your experiences and feelings with other pregnant women and other expectant parents.

The first session will take place around the 24th week. We recommend that you register around the 20th week.

You can also prepare for your baby’s arrival with your partner or co-parent, with the help of midwives who offer consultations either at their practise or in your own home. The ONE’s PEPs (Parent-Child Partners) will provide you with a birth preparation booklet listing all the midwives who work at our hospital and who offer birth preparation classes outside the hospital. . You can also visit www.sage-femme.be to find a midwife near you

From the 12th week of pregnancy, a team of physiotherapists is on hand to help you prepare and provide information on the various aspects of childbirth.

The topics covered include:

• prevention and physical preparation during pregnancy
• going to the delivery room
• managing labour in the delivery room with or without an epidural
• childbirth and positions
• massage and relaxation for the expectant mother.

During these sessions, the father-to-be or the person accompanying you to the delivery room is invited to participate. Individual antenatal physiotherapy sessions

Cette préparation se fait uniquement en séance individuelle et sur rendez-vous.

You may also request the presence of a physiotherapist during the birth. The practical arrangements will be agreed upon during your preparation sessions.

Where? Alexiens/César De Paepe site
Gynaecology Department/Perineology Clinic – 3rd floor
Tel. +32 (0)2 535 36 66
Tel. +32 (0)477 60 54 13

For patients with a scheduled caesarean section. In this context, the session covers the birth plan, our gentle care protocol and the postnatal period. A tour of the delivery suite can be arranged to help expectant parents familiarise themselves with the surroundings and feel reassured before their baby is born.

• When? From 32 weeks’ gestation, 1 session only
• Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Where? Route 510

Four sessions led by midwives cover the physiology of pregnancy, childbirth, , and the postpartum period. These sessions also include relaxation exercises, such as breathing and movement techniques for pregnancy and childbirth. A tour of the maternity ward and the delivery room is included Group or individual sessions; partners are welcome to attend.

• When? From 28 weeks’ gestation. Mornings or evenings. 4 sessions spread over 4 weeks + 1 postnatal session
• Time: individual sessions = 1 hour 15 minutes, group sessions = 2–2½ hours
• Where? Route 510 A (MIC)

The tour allows expectant parents to familiarise themselves with the premises and feel reassured before their baby is born

• When? At any stage of pregnancy
• Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Where? Route 510A (MIC)

Discover our maternity ward and the other areas that make up the Clinique de la Femme Enceinte with our virtual tour.

4 sessions featuring relaxation exercises in the pool to prepare for pregnancy and childbirth (no accompanying person)

• When? From 30 weeks onwards
• Where? Meet at Les Bains de Bruxelles – Place du Jeu de Balle – Rue du Chevreuil, 28, 1000 Brussels
• Please bring a swimsuit and swimming cap

• When? From 30 weeks’ gestation
• Time: 30 mins
• Route 510 A – book in advance at 206 Ante-natal consultation

Group or individual sessions; partners are welcome. A birth preparation programme that uses hypnosis to help you experience childbirth in a more relaxed, natural way and with less pain

• When? From 26 weeks’ gestatio – 4 individual sessions, each lasting 1 hour 15 minutes
  – 5 group sessions, each lasting 2 hours
• Where? Route 510 A

Yoga sessions offering expectant mothers a chance to relax with their baby through simple poses and breathing exercises (no accompanying adults)

• When? From 28 weeks’ gestation
• Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Where? Route 510A (MIC)

Individual consultations specialising in breastfeeding and bottle-feeding for newborns, breast conditions during lactation, difficulties experienced during a first breastfeeding experience, breast surgery, etc.

Who is it for? All women seeking further information on how to feed their newborn, who have experienced difficulties with their first breastfeeding experience, who have undergone breast surgery, etc.

• Where? Route 510A – advance booking required on 206

A holistic, harmonising massage designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the postnatal period, performed by midwives.

• Time: 1 hour
• Where? Route 510 A

A one-off workshop offering an introduction to ergonomic babywearing and a demonstration of the various systems available. This is a group session; partners are welcome to attend.

• Time: 2 hours
• Where? Route 510 A (MIC)

Are you a parent for the first time?

Join our workshop days organised by the Pregnant Women’s Clinic, focusing on the transition to parenthood to help you feel confident and at ease.

PROGRAMME

• Basic care (nappy changing, bathing, dressing, swaddling)
• Babywearing
• Getting started with breastfeeding
• The essential role of the support partner during labour and childbirth

Upcoming dates: Saturdays

• 07/02/2026
• 16/05/2026
• 19/09/2026
• 12/12/2026

Times: 9.30 am to 4 pm

Where? At the FORUM – 322 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels – Entrance C – Bastenie Auditorium

Fees: 50 euros

Registration and information: online here, or at the antenatal clinic reception – Route 205 or on 02 535 47 13

Open to (expectant) parents and, if they wish their baby.. The challenges of parenthood require parents to work on their presence, patience and responsiveness to what their baby is experiencing. By developing the ability to modulate their responsiveness, parents can support their baby in regulating their own state of being.

Further information

Registration for the January 2026 course

Contact: pleine.conscience@stpierre-bru.be

For parents of children aged 0 to 2 years.

This consultation aims to help parents understand their child’s sleep physiology — taking into account their age, stage of neurological development and individual characteristics. The aim is to help families identify adjustments that are compatible with their parenting values and needs, whilst respecting the child’s rhythm and needs.

Please note: this consultation is only available after the birth of your baby.

Price: 60 euros