Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before joining The Coastal Birth Club.
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The Coastal Birth Club was created because I believe antenatal education can be so much more than simply learning about labour and birth. As a midwife working within the local maternity service, I have a unique insight into the care, services and support available to families across Exeter and East Devon. This means the information you receive is not only evidence-based, but also realistic, relevant and aligned with the maternity care you are likely to experience locally. What makes The Coastal Birth Club different is the way we prepare you for the whole journey. Alongside birth preparation, local expertise, hypnobirthing and practical newborn knowledge, we also focus on your wellbeing, confidence, recovery and the transition into parenthood. Our pregnancy and hypnobirthing classes are designed to support you physically, emotionally and practically as you prepare to welcome your baby.
This is the perfect time in life to slow down, reconnect and not feel guilty for focusing on your own wellbeing. As a woman, mother, wife and midwife I only know how easy it is to forget about yourself sometimes. Yet as women, mothers, partners and carers, it can be incredibly easy to put everyone else's needs before our own. At The Coastal Birth Club, we intentionally create space for this. A chance to pause, reflect, build confidence and prepare not only for birth, but for the life-changing transition that follows.
Small group sizes and a beautiful environment, carefully designed to promote calm and relaxation, give you the opportunity to build genuine connections with others at a similar stage of pregnancy. We hold postnatal reunions and place a real emphasis on the importance of connection during pregnancy and the early postnatal period.
My hope is that you leave feeling not only informed and prepared for birth, but connected, supported and part of a community that continues long after the final session has ended.
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This depends slightly on which course you’re joining.
For our full 5-Week Antenatal Course, we recommend booking between 24–32 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you time to fully absorb the information and feel calm and prepared before you reach term at 37 weeks.
Our 2-Week Hypnobirthing Course can be taken a little earlier or later in pregnancy, making it a lovely option if you’re joining us closer to your due date, or if you’d like to begin preparing earlier with a gentle, focused approach to labour and birth specifically.
Our Grandparent Workshop can be booked at any time during pregnancy, although it’s often most helpful to attend in the weeks leading up to your grandchild’s arrival.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, you’re always very welcome to get in touch — I’m happy to guide you
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Without a doubt, yes. You’re very welcome to join us whether this is your first baby or not.
Every birth is unique, and many people return to antenatal education to reconnect with their knowledge, feel more in control of their choices, and prepare for a different experience this time.
The course offers a supportive space to reflect, reset, and move forward feeling calmer, more confident, and more at ease as you approach this birth.
Before your course begins, you’ll receive a pre-course workbook, giving you the opportunity to gently reflect on your previous experience. If there’s anything you’d like to revisit or explore further, you’re very welcome to share this, and we can support you with this throughout the course
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The 5-week antenatal course is a complete, in-depth preparation for both birth and the early days with your baby. It covers labour, birth, hypnobirthing, biomechanics, decision-making, and postnatal preparation including feeding and newborn care.
The 2-week hypnobirthing course is more focused specifically on labour and birth preparation. It’s a lovely option if you’d prefer to concentrate on understanding your body, building confidence and learning practical tools for birth—particularly if you already feel comfortable with baby care or are joining later in pregnancy
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Many people choose to start from around 20–34 weeks, depending on when they feel ready. We recommend booking your place as early as possible, as spaces do tend to fill quickly.
It’s a lovely option if you’d like to begin preparing a little earlier, or if you’re later in pregnancy and want a focused, practical approach to feeling calm, confident and prepared for birth.
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Yes, absolutely. If you’re further into your third trimester, the 2-week hypnobirthing course can be a particularly good option as it offers focused birth preparation in a shorter time frame.
For the 5-week course, it will depend on timing, but feel free to get in touch and we can find the best way to support you
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Yes, absolutely. You’re very welcome to attend on your own, or with whoever helps you feel comfortable or is going to be supporting you during birth — whether that’s a partner, friend or family member. Please include their details on the booking form
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We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you’re unable to attend a session, we’ll ensure you have access to the key information covered so you don’t feel like you’ve missed out.
As our courses are delivered as a complete programme, individual sessions aren’t transferable or refundable, but we’ll always do our best to support you. Full details can be found in our Terms & Conditions
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Yes, private one-to-one sessions are available, either in your own home or online.
Each session is thoughtfully tailored to you, offering a more personalised and flexible approach to your preparation—whether you have specific questions, would prefer individual support, or are joining later in pregnancy.
Please get in touch for availability and pricing.
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Yes, absolutely. Our courses are designed to support all birth experiences, including planned and unplanned caesarean births. You’ll gain a clear understanding of your options, what to expect, and how to feel prepared—so you can approach your birth feeling calm, informed and confident
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Yes, flexible payment options are available. You can choose to either pay in full or secure your place with a non refundable deposit.
If selecting the deposit option, the remaining balance is due 4 weeks before the course begins and will be invoiced separately. If the balance is not received by this time, the place may be released and offered to another family.
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Yes, we offer a dedicated Grandparents Workshop, thoughtfully created to help grandparents feel confident, informed and ‘in the know’ as they prepare to welcome a new baby into the family.
It offers a gentle, up-to-date perspective on what’s changed over time, alongside guidance on how best to support both baby and parents in those early days—helping everyone feel more connected, reassured and involved.
You can find full details on our Grandparents Workshop page
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All courses are led by an experienced practicing Midwife, combining evidence-based knowledge with real-life, practical insight.
With years of experience supporting women and families, the approach is calm, supportive and grounded in helping you feel confident, informed, empowered and prepared for whatever your birth journey may look like.
To read more about Carrie and the story behind The Coastal Birth Club, see here, where you can also explore her experience, credentials and professional background.
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No — The Coastal Birth Club provides antenatal education, hypnobirthing, complementary wellbeing support and birth preparation services, but does not replace individual maternity, medical or mental health care.
If you have concerns about your pregnancy, labour, baby or health, you should always contact your named midwife, maternity team, maternity triage, GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
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Classes are held at the Exmouth Healing Centre, a calm, warm and nurturing space in the heart of Exmouth.
It’s a beautifully relaxed environment, thoughtfully suited to help you feel comfortable, at ease, and able to fully settle into the sessions.
Location
All group classes are taught at
Exmouth Healing Centre, 37 The Strand, Exmouth, EX8 1AQ
If you have any questions or would like to chat things through, you’re always very welcome to get in touch—I’d love to hear from you.