AN AMMANFORD former midwife has launched a brand new scheme which will see Welsh speaking expectant parents able to access Welsh-medium antenatal classes for the first time.

The classes, being held in Carmarthen, will be the first of their kind in South West Wales and will be led by Rachel Williams, a Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Midwifery Lecturer at Swansea University.

Rachel was a practising midwife for over 15 years and her classes are aimed at expectant mothers who are 28 weeks pregnant or over and will be held once a week over a four-week period.

The topics covered by the antenatal classes will include, health in pregnancy and after the birth, what happens during labour and birth, coping with labour and information on caring for your baby. Midwifery students from Swansea University will also be present to provide additional support during the classes.

Rachel said: “By conducting these classes, I hope to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where mothers and their partners can receive information in their native language, in an uncomplicated way without too much medicalised jargon.

“The classes will be interactive, and I hope that everyone will feel comfortable in taking part in the various activities over the course of four weeks.

“I also hope that by attending these classes, parents-to-be can establish long-term friendships with the other parents who attend”.

Sian James, an expectant mother from Penygroes, said: “I think these classes offer a great opportunity – not only to learn more about pregnancy and birth, but to be able to ask questions to a professional in my mother-tongue, who can give realistic answers.

“I’d love to meet other Welsh-speaking mothers, not only to feel relaxed, but also to make friends with Welsh families”.

The Carmarthen classes will be held at the new midwife-led unit at Glangwili Hospital between 6.30pm – 8pm every Monday from June 1. Rachel will also hold classes in Aberystwyth.

For further information, or to register your place, please contact Rachel Williams at r.a.williams@swansea.ac.uk or on 01792 606223 / 07776300635.