Ante natal courses, Barcelona Wellwoman clinic
Recommended by Erin
Belly to baby and beyond Antenatal course for a happier, healthy and holistic approach to birth. Whatever kind of birth you will have, in hospital, at home, without interventions or through a C-section. In english. Other courses available
C/ Casp, 80 1o, 1-3a (esquina Bailen 27), Barcelona 08010
Tel. (+34) 622 720 499 Email clinic@bcnwellwoman.com
http://bcnwellwoman.com
Comments:
"I just finished completing a course with the Woman Wellness Centre in Barcelona. The course was called Belly Baby and Beyond and I found it really helpful in preparing both myself and my husband mentally and physically for birth. The course lasted 9 weeks in length and included 5 sessions with both the pregnant woman and the birth partner as well as 4 sessions for just women. The sessions were alternate (one week partners, one week just pregnant ladies) which I think was nice for the birth partners. In the sessions which included the birth partners we learned different techniques for dealing with labour and quite extensively about the whole process. Viktoria, the doula running that part of the course has lots of experience and was also able to answer a lot of our questions and doubts (especially as foreigners) about how things work here in the hospitals and what not. The women only sessions were run by a dance therapists called Anna, and we focused more on the phycological changes during pregnancy and while begining motherhood. These sessions were very nice to form a bond with the other women in the course. Anyway, I highly recommend the course" (Erin, April 2012)
Prenatal yoga classes, Barcelona
Recommended by laura
Olga Oskorbina is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti and Prenatal yoga teacher living and teaching in Barcelona, Spain. She offers regular scheduled classes whose aim is to guide students towards becoming stronger and more flexible physically, help them release emotional blockages and to develop a more balanced state of mind. Classes are designed for all levels of yoga practitioners. You can begin with a Basic course where you learn the fundamentals, then move to Beginner Vinyasa and Open classes. All of these classes are 1 hour 30 min. Spiritual Warrior is a set vinyasa sequence 1 hour class for busy bees. Prenatal classes are also available. All classes are conducted in English with Spanish and Russian classes coming up soon.
Jivamukti is a form of Hatha Yoga taught in a vinyasa style where each movement is linked to the breath.
Located in a light tranquil space at the top part of the Old City where it meets Eixample around Calle Trafalgar on Calle Mendez Nunes.
More about Prenatal Yoga:
Whether you’ve practiced yoga before pregnancy or not at all, prenatal classes will provide you with renewed energy, an awareness of your changing body and a greater confidence that will enhance the comfort and enjoyment of pregnancy and birth – as well as a deepened connection to your baby.
Gentle postures, breath work and relaxation techniques are learned to develop the strength and flexibility necessary to comfortably carry your baby through pregnancy, into labour, and beyond.
Méndez Núñez, 6, 1'2
08003 Barcelona, Spain
My contact:
tel.: (+34) 638859882
e-mail: olga@jannayoga.com
website: www.jannayoga.com
Comments:
"I was about 5 months pregnant when I started pre natal yoga with Olga. Combining work and a pregnancy wasn’t always easy and I noticed I was feeling exhausted and drained. As my belly got bigger I had more trouble sleeping. Pre natal yoga solved these problems. After my sessions with Olga I felt lively and energetic again. And more importantly it helped me sleep like a baby. Olga has been a great teacher. Patient, calm and funny. She helped me connect to my baby in a way I didn’t know was possible.
Now I’m the mother of a beautiful 10 month old baby. I can t wait to start classes again. But this time without a big belly" (Laura March 2012)
Antenatal Classes in Barcelona
Recommended by Ellen Menzies
Every CAP (social security centre) has their own ante-natal-clases which are given by the midwifes of the centres. You should enquire at your local centre for more details. The courses will be conducted in Catalan or sometimes Spanish.
"I attended one and thought the information was useful and correct. If you have social security it is for free, just make sure you sign up for it on time as there is limited space." (EM, July 08)
Ante-natal classes Sarria
Recommended by Tara Cemlyn-Jones
Sarria-based centre which offers ante-natal classes, osteopaths, specialist massages and a full range of facilities for expectant mums including sessions in the pool.There are also birthing classes available to couples. Open Mon -Sat.
Calle Dr Roux 19 932038424 info@lenoarmi.com www.lenoarmi.com
Ante-natal Class - Coca Camin
Recommended by Julie Haselmayer
Ante-natal classes run by midwife Coca Camin.
932521098 isabelcoca@yahoo.es
Comments:
Only speaks Catalan and Spanish but comes highly recommended
Barcelona Breast Feeding Support in English
Recommended by Lou Melotte
Elvira has been an independent breastfeeding consultant for the last 4 years, certified by the FEDCAT Catalan Federation of Breastfeeding.. Helping women resolve the potential problems in their journey of breast feeding which is a natural, emotional, unique, bonding, nurturing and nourishing experience for both mother and baby, is her passion. Available for private home (also pre natal advice) & hospital visits on request. (+34) 626122047
Comments
Elvira can give the emotional and practical support necessary to enjoy the experience of breastfeeding. Happy to work in both Castellano and English, as an Australian Andaluzian - they are both her native languages
Birth preparation instructor & doula
Recommended by Rebecca Lovell
Viktoria Löwenthal works as part of Mare Meva and works at Barcelona Well Woman Clinic
Languages: Swedish, English, Catalan, Spanish
Tel: 667 546 194, mail: maremeva.catalunya@gmail.com,
web: www.maremeva.net
facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MARE-MEVA/264747372180?ref=ts
Comments:
"When we discovered I was pregnant with our second baby, my husband and I decided we would like a more natural birth than we had had with my son in 2006. We got in touch with Mare Meva and did the 6 hour long course which was split into two 3 hour sessions and taught us all about breathing and massage techniques to help deal with the pain of a natural birth. But the course did much more than that; it offered us the opportunity to talk about our worries and fears, clear up birthing myths and prepare alongside like-minded couples in a comfortable, reassuring atmosphere. Viktoria talked to us about birthing in Sweden which contrasted enormously with the way things are done here and helped us to have confidence in our choice to try for a drug-free natural birth with as little medical intervention as possible.
I had my little girl two months ago in Mataró hospital, as did two other women I know who had done the course with Viktoria and we all feel that the techniques learned on the course and the mental preparation helped us deal with the birth much better than we would have been able to otherwise.
Giving birth here can be a daunting experience for foreigners who are shocked by the highly invasive practices that are the norm in Spanish hospitals. I highly recommend this course for anyone wishing to have a natural birth or looking for a doula to accompany them through the whole experience" (RL, Sep 2010)
Doula & Shiatsu teacher - Imma Sarries
Recommended by Margaret West
Imma Sarries teaches open-ended birth preparation classes focusing on natural birth in English and Spanish. She also does Shiatsu.
626656735.
Juliette Allard - doula
Recommended by Laura Schmidt
Ante-natal yoga teacher and doula and works in English, Spanish and French.
www.yogacongracia.com www.mamadoula.org
Comments:
"Juliette has the capacity to embolden anyone into taking charge of
their pregnancy and childbirth, which is an inestimable gift. She also
gave us the tools to do so" (LS, May 08)
Click here to read an interview with Juliette
Online advice
The following websites are all in Spanish but provide very useful information on pregnancy and birth and those first few months with your newborn
www.bebesyembarazo.com
www.bebesymas.com
www.doulas.es
www.embarazada.com
www.enfemenino.com
www.instintomaternal,com
www.mundobaby.com
www.notime.es
www.parabebes.com
Pregnancy Acupuncture Clinic.
Recommended by Lou Melotte
Pregancy Acupuncture Clinic on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 2pm.
Zoe Prendergast. BA Hons, M.Phil, Dip.Ac, CHBE (+34) 933197414 (+34) 654986735 zoeprendergast@gmail.com ONA, Calle Vallfogona,40, bajos. Gracia. 08012.
Comments
This pre-birth acupuncture programme consists of a once a week treatment during the last month of pregnancy. It has been carefully planned as a complete programme to prepare mind and body for birthing and to offer relief from all the common problems and discomforts that frequently present themselves in late pregnancy, such as swollen ankles, insomnia, pubic and back pain. The programme can be tailored to meet the mother and baby's specific needs such as turning breech babies, natural induction methods for late for dates babies, or alleviating fears and anxieties that surround birthing and motherhood.
Paula Mariani - Pregnancy Massage, & Gestalt Therapist
Recommended by Cristina Blanco
Massage therapy and gestalt aimed at women and couples.Paula also offers individual therapy and workshops.
Enrique Granados 30 and Avinyó 31 (www.Salaaditi.eu)
Tel 687594577 cuerpoygestalt.blogspot.com ,
Comments:
"Me pongo en contacto con vosotros para haceros saber que Paula Mariani, és una excelente bailarina y terapueta Gestalt, hemos sido compañeras de estudios y puedo constatar el esfuerzo y la abilidad que tienen tanto en el movimiento corporal, como en la gestión de toda la practica gestalt.
Su interés ha sido muy importante y su facilidad de movimiento espontaneo y natural, ha hecho que sea para todos una referente en la terapia corporal. Des de mi punto de vista, Paula tiene una habilidad innata con éste concepto con la que combina con la Teràpia Gestalt" (CB, October 2011)
"This is to certify that Paula Mariani has studied Gestalt Therapy in Espai ludic, and I have been her tutor.I can recommend Paula for any therapeutic work, specially the one related to body expression, mainly through movement and dancing.Paula lives very pasionately, and I am sure that she can share her wish to live a conscious live with other people, and inspire her passion for knowledge.
She has many other qualities, like putting up with difficulties, staying throug good and bad times, showing affection and contact, enthusiasm, capacity of leading" (Angeles Jorge, October 2011)
Personal Training for Pregnancy
Recommended by Cecilia
More women try to get pregnant at older ages, where years of pollution, bad habits, a sedentary lifestyle, illness or overweight can have negatively influenced their hormonal system. This of course has significant effects on the female reproductive system. Personal training improves these hormonal imbalances through regular physical exercise immediately. Women increase their fertility by losing only a couple of kilos and sufficient exercise. As a matter of fact it is quite a simple solution to something that drives many people mad searching for fertility pills, medication etc. Nutritional advise and diets are another benefit for increasing fertility.
Active-8 Sport & Health Coaching ( 34) 934072788 www.active-8.es
Pregnancy Yoga, el Masnou
Recommended by Laura Bagshaw
Pregnancy yoga classes three times a week Monday at 930am, Wednesday at 7pm and Thursday at 930am.
L'Essencia, C/Italia 37, 08320 El Masnou, Barcelona
Tel 935404843
www.lessencia.com
Shawn Mcsweeney - Doula
Shawn McSweeney (mum of two) is an experienced doula operating in the Barcelona area. She speaks fluent English, Catalan and Spanish. Her services include birth preparation, prenatal yoga and postnatal support as well as help with breastfeeding.
shawnmcsweeney@gmail.com (+34) 619880952 (+34) 938113282
Comments:
"Shawn is a highly experienced, sensitive and caring doula. Her ability to support and guide me through my pregnancy, birth and post natal period was outstanding. She was able to see exactly what I needed in terms of physical, practical and emotional support during a very hard post natal period for my family. I had a complicated birth followed by post natal depression and I had also recently relocated to Spain from the UK. As Shawn is trilingual (Catalan, Castellano and English), she was also able to help me with many of the practical steps needed to integrate in to my new community in Sitges. Her services range from antenatal yoga classes and labour and delivery preparation for couples, to assisting at the birth and regular post natal home visits and assistance with breastfeeding. All of my family benefited from her wealth of baby rearing experience and her reassuringly friendly manner. " (LB, May 08)
Swimming for Pregnant Women
Recommended by Paula Dietz Rauber
Located just outside Barcelona in Esplugues, Nabel offers swimming courses, birth preparatory courses and gym classes for pregnant women.
Escuela Garbi Calle San Mateu 14-15 Esplugues de Llobregat 931120123 www.nabel.es
Comments:
"I’d can recommend Nabel as a very nice place for swimming courses for pregnant women, babies and small children" (PDR, May 08)
Yoga Ishta , Barcelona
Recommended by Marie-Louise Fernandez Hilligsoe
Yoga Ishta Style provides tailored private tuition, general classes, pregnancy yoga and mums & babies yoga. Based in Barcelona classes can be delivered to your private residence, workplace or hotel. Want to choose your own timetable? Why not get a group of women together and form a class suitable for you. Regular courses for pregnancy and mums & babies yoga are held at Hotel Arts at the Six Senses Gym. More information http://yogaishtastyle.com
Comments:
"Taking prenatal yoga classes with Raphaella, I believe is one of the best things I did for myself and my baby during my pregnancy. It helped me adjust to my changing body, and left me feeling more energetic and balanced after every class. I felt my body strengthen and prepare for birth in a very gentle way. I will certainly be coming back for "mummy and me" classes to enjoy the calm and friendly atmosphere" (MFH Oct 10)
Zoe Holden - Homeopath
Recommended by Chris Weber
Zoe Holden is UK trained and has been studying and practising classical homeopathy since 1999. She offers a personal, caring approach to holistic healthcare. Her focus on you as an individual, and on your specific physical and emotional symptoms, results in long lasting benefits. Zoe treats babies, children, pregnant women and adults in her beautiful clinic in Gracia. Centre Cos, Gran de Gracia 77,Pral, 1. www.zoeholden.com
Comments
"My daughter and I have both had the pleasure of working with Zoe; she has cared for us with knowledge and gentle encouragement. It was easy to schedule appointments and she was available for follow up questions by email which meant a lot to us. We happily recommend her to all mumabroad.com families" (CW, June 08)
