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Preparing for your birth in Barcelona involves several steps to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here's a guide to help you get ready.
Research Healthcare Providers: Start by researching obstetricians, midwives, and hospitals or birthing centre in the city. In Barcelona there is only one birth center called Casa Laietania. There are plenty of good hospitals (both private and public), I particularly like Hospital Sant Joan de Deu and Hospital del Mar. There is also the option for home birth even though it is not covered by the public healthcare system. Read reviews, ask for recommendations from locals or online communities, and schedule prenatal appointments with potential healthcare providers to find one who aligns with your preferences.
Attend Prenatal Appointments: Attend regular prenatal appointments to monitor the health of you and your baby and establish a relationship with your healthcare provider.
Tour Local Hospitals or the Birthing Center: Take the time to visit hospitals or the birthing center in the city. Familiarise yourself with the facilities, amenities, and childbirth practices. Consider factors such as the availability of birthing tubs, labor support options, and postpartum accommodations.
Find Childbirth Education Classes: Look for childbirth education classes in the city or online. Many hospitals, community centres, and private organisations offer classes covering topics such as labour and delivery, pain management techniques, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Enrol in classes that fit your schedule and preferences. If you are looking for a flexible online class in English, I offer one that you may be interested in. Below l share the details.
Create a Birth Plan: Discuss your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care with your healthcare provider. Document your preferences in a birth plan and share it with your healthcare team to ensure everyone is aware of your wishes.
Pack Your Hospital Bag: When you are about 36 weeks, you can prepare a hospital bag with essential items for yourself, your baby, and your support person. Include items such as comfortable clothing, toiletries, snacks, nursing bras, baby clothes, baby's hat, nappies and important documents.
Explore Pain Relief Options: Research different pain relief options available during labor, such as epidurals, nitrous oxide, massage, and breathing techniques. Discuss these options with your healthcare provider and include your preferences in your birth plan. As I doula I offer rebozo massage to help cope with the pressure of the contractions or just to get yourself relaxed. I also teach breathing techniques that would be key to help you stayed focused during labour.
Prepare for Postpartum Recovery: Plan ahead for postpartum recovery by arranging for support at home, stocking up on postpartum supplies, and researching lactation support services if you plan to breastfeed. This is another service I offer to make sure you feel at peace when you get home with your newborn.
Consider Cultural and Language Differences: If you're not fluent in Spanish, consider how language barriers may affect communication with healthcare providers during childbirth. Look for bilingual support options or hire a doula like me who can assist with translation.
Emergency Preparedness: Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures and contact information for medical assistance in the city. Know the nearest hospital and how to get there quickly in case of complications during labor or postpartum.
Stay Informed: Stay informed about local maternity care practices, childbirth policies, and any updates or changes related to childbirth in Barcelona.
By taking these steps and staying organised, you can feel confident and prepared for childbirth in Barcelona. Remember to ask for support from friends, family, or local resources like me if you need assistance during this transition.
Birth & Baby Antenatal Workshop
4 weeks in March & April - Online
Do you want to prepare for your birth experience and meet others like you in Barcelona?
Are you needing help with navigating the medical system here?
Do you want to get inspired combining Hypnobirthing & Mindful birth?
Do you want to learn the basics of newborn sleep to promote good habits for the future?
Drawing from personal experience, I understand the invaluable nature of this support, and I am dedicated to ensuring others have an exceptional journey into parenthood.
I'm originally from Barcelona and lived in London for 17 years. I have trained as Doula and a Gentle Sleep Coach, accredited by the OCN in London and the Child Sleep Institute in Canada.
My goal is to provide expectant mothers and their partners with the essential tools and techniques to navigate the physical and emotional demands of childbirth and newborn care. Preparing both, your body and mind, for a fulfilling and empowering birth and the arrival of your baby.
What makes the Birth & Baby Antenatal Workshop different is that unlike many other workshops, you will learn a combination of Hypnobirthing & Mindful birth.
Followed by basics of newborn sleep, to promote good habits for the future in the hands of a Doula & Gentle Sleep Coach.
The workshop lasts 4 weeks, starting in March and finishing in April. It's Online so you can take it on the confort of your own home. We will cover the following topics over 4 sessions,1 hour each:
What you will receive when you sign up:
After each session you will get a set of materials including a mixture of recommended readings, videos and audios to support all learning styles.
Ongoing mentoring and support. Ask any questions on hour weekly live online workshops and in our private whatsapp group to continue your learning and get your doubts answered.
Meet up with your group. After the workshop is finished we arrange an in person meet up to get to know each other. Friendship continues later when your babies have all arrived!
The cost of the workshop is 95€ for the 4 sessions.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at info@mymamadreams.com or 675 298885.
What others say about me:
Lucy Lincoln
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We took part in the Anna's Birth and Baby Preparation Workshop and found it super useful. Anna was great at helping navigate the Spainish healthcare system and gave us great support and advice for preparing for birth. It was really useful to cover everything from hospital decisions and preparation all the way through to baby care. I felt much more prepared for the arrival of my first baby following this course. Thank you so much Anna! :)
I hope to see you soon.
With love,
Anna, Doula & Gentle Sleep Coach