The Unbiased Birth Club

Evidence-based antenatal classes in Chelmsford that genuinely prepare you for the messy reality of birth and postpartum

We cover it all

Most antenatal classes prepare you for an ideal textbook birth. We prepare you for the real world.

Our Chelmsford classes dive straight into what you actually need to know over seven packed modules – including the tricky ‘what if’ scenarios that nobody else talks about. We cover it all from early labour signs and pain management right through to how to look after yourself and your baby postpartum.

Friendly, honest and practical, the unbiased birth club will turn your pregnancy anxiety into calm, educated confidence so that you and your partner are prepared for whatever happens!

Always Evidence-Based

No bias, no judgement. Just the latest research so you can make your own choices

Convenient and Social

Live online classes to suit busy lifestyles, with in-person Chelmsford socials to find your village

Dedicated Partner Support

Each of our seven modules include specific guides for your support person, full of practical tips

Honest Postpartum Recovery

Learn about physical and mental recovery so you know what to expect and when to ask for help

Prepare for Every Path

Why interventions are offered, how they work and the evidence behind them

NHS System Guide

Decision making tools and advocacy scripts to confidently navigate our maternity system

Our Story

Welcome to the club!

Hi, I’m Priyanka and I just wanted to say a huge congratulations on your pregnancy. I set up The Unbiased Birth Club in Chelmsford because I believe that there’s no “right” way to give birth – only the way that’s right for you.

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I went to a standard antenatal class, wrote my ideal birth plan and hoped for the best. But when things got complicated, my birth plan went straight out the window and I very quickly realised that the antenatal class I’d attended hadn’t prepared me at all for the twists and turns of the real world. There’s so many things that I wish someone had told me – like how long an induction can actually take, why my baby never wanted to be put down and even tips for that first postpartum poo!! Sipping coffee with my Essex mum friends, I kept hearing similar stories as we all wondered “why did nobody tell us this?!”

Frequently Asked Questions

At what stage of pregnancy should I attend antenatal classes?

We recommend beginning your antenatal course after week 25 of your pregnancy and completing it by week 36. This ensures all the evidence-based research and practical tools are fresh in your mind and gives you plenty of time to enjoy our in-person Chelmsford social before your little one arrives.

When should I book my place on the course?

We keep our cohorts small to give you plenty of time to ask questions and connect with other parents in Chelmsford so places fill up quickly. We recommend booking your spot after your 20 week scan to secure your preferred dates.

Are your pregnancy classes tailored to births at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford?

Yes, but that’s not all! We’ve designed our course around local NHS pathways and use the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust guidelines so that you know exactly what to expect locally. Our course covers Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Basildon University Hospital, Southend University Hospital, WJC Birthing Unit in Braintree and homebirths so that you’re fully prepared with how our local maternity services work.

How will an online class help me to build a local ‘village’ in Essex?

We offer the best of both worlds by having live online classes and in person socials. The online course means you can learn comfortably and conveniently, while the in person socials in Chelmsford help you bond with local families both before and after your baby is born. We also have a dedicated whatsapp group where you can support each other through the highs and lows of pregnancy and postpartum.

What makes this course different from NCT classes or other antenatal classes in Chelmsford?

Other birth preparation courses often lean heavily towards one specific type of birth or skip over the realities of medical interventions. Our course prides itself on being completely unbiased, modern and evidence-based. In addition to the usual content, we go into detail on the ‘what if’ scenarios that nobody else talks about. We cover the evidence behind interventions and different scenarios such as going past your due date or gestational diabetes so that you’re prepared for any twists and turns your journey might take. We talk about your local NHS guidelines for Broomfield, Basildon and Southend Hospitals and how to confidently advocate for yourself and your baby. If that wasn’t enough, each of our seven comprehensive modules also includes a dedicated guide for partners and support people so that they know exactly what to do before, during and after birth.

What if I want to attend but I don’t live in Chelmsford?

While our in person socials are in Chelmsford, our course is created to be convenient and accessible for our local Essex community by having live online modules. We welcome all expecting parents from in and around Chelmsford, including Braintree, Witham, Maldon, Great Dunmow, Hatfield Peveral, Danbury and Ingatestone.

If you live further afield then we’d still love to hear from you – drop us a line at priyanka@unbiasedbirth.co.uk and we’ll see if we can arrange something in your area.

Can I attend if I’m a solo parent and do you offer any discounts for solo parent families?

Absolutely – everybody is welcome here. Our course materials are designed to be inclusive and supportive for families of all shapes and sizes. We offer a 20% discount to anyone attending by themselves and hope that our classes support you to build your local Chelmsford ‘village’.

Who counts as a support person and are they included in the course price?

Every family and support system is unique and we welcome everybody here. Your support person can be your romantic partner, a family member or a best friend and each module contains a guide dedicated to them so that they know exactly how best to support you at every stage. Our course price includes 2 attendees.

What happens if I can’t attend one of the sessions?

The great thing about our live online sessions is that they are recorded and shared so that you can watch back anything you missed if you or your support person can’t attend or are unwell. If there’s any questions on any of the material then can you always ask on our whatsapp group between sessions and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Is the course inclusive of LGBTQ+ families?

Absolutely. Every family structure, gender identity and path to parenthood is met with equal warmth, celebration and respect. Language really matters and our course materials are intentionally designed to be inclusive of all parents, co-parents and chosen support people.

Can I attend the antenatal class if I already have children?

Definitely! We welcome second time parents (or third, or fourth or fifth!) to our birth preparation classes in Chelmsford as it’s a great way to refresh your skills and meet new friends at a similar stage to you. We cover the NHS system and advocacy in detail and all those ‘I wish I’d known’ moments to fully prepare you. If you would be interested in having an individual birth reflection session to debrief on your previous birth experiences then please get in touch by emailing priyanka@unbiasedbirth.co.uk.

If you have any other questions about our unbiased antenatal classes or how we can support you then please do get in touch by emailing priyanka@unbiasedbirth.co.uk and we’d love to help.