Module 3
Pregnancy or birth preparation course
Through the Witsenkade Academy, we aim to keep you well-informed and prepared for pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. In our practice, we’ve already doubled the length of our consultation appointments. Still, there’s not enough time to dive into every topic in detail. Especially when it comes to giving birth, there's so much to explain — that’s why following a pregnancy or birth preparation course can be incredibly helpful and insightful.
The difference between pregnancy and birth courses:
- A pregnancy course helps you stay healthy during pregnancy. These classes often include guided exercise and information about staying fit and vital while pregnant. They may briefly cover labour and birth, but usually not in full detail.
- A birth preparation course helps you get ready for labour. These focus on how birth unfolds, positions for labour, techniques for coping with contractions, and often include practical exercises.
Both types of courses are valuable but have different goals. You can absolutely combine them.
Examples of pregnancy courses
There are many ways to stay active while also gaining knowledge and relaxation. Some popular options in Amsterdam:
- Pregnancy swimming – offered by most public pools.
- Outdoor training with a coach, like at Mom in Balance.
- ZwangerFit, physio or Mensendieck therapy – guided workouts with a certified specialist. Check out bbbhealthclub.nl, fitzwanger.nl, or amsterdamfysio.nl.
- Pregnancy yoga, pilates, or haptonomy – focused on relaxation, breathing, and body awareness. See for example ellenvanleeuwen.com and bewustinbeweging.com.
- You’ll find many more excellent courses in our Directory.
💡 When to start? You can begin as soon as you're pregnant, or when regular workouts no longer feel comfortable.
Examples of birth preparation courses
Most people start a birth course between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. That gives you enough time to practise and ask questions, while keeping the information fresh for when labour begins.
A few popular (online) birth preparation options:
- Mom & Co
- Bevalwijzer
- Drs. Mama
- Mirjam Vos
- House of Mothers
- Vadercursus.nl – specifically for (expectant) fathers or partners.
- You'll find many more excellent courses in our Directory.
📌 Note: Many courses have small groups and fill up quickly. Start exploring your options early and register in time.
How do you choose a course that suits you?
A course should fit your needs — the tone and approach matter. Take time to reflect on what you’re looking for. Here are a few questions that might help:
- Do you want a practical, hands-on course or more mental preparation?
- Are you looking for relaxation, movement, or mainly information?
- Do you want to take the course with your partner, or individually?
- Do you prefer live classes, online sessions, or private coaching?
Read reviews, ask around in your network, and most importantly: see if the tone and style of the course match your personality.