It has been 7 years in the making, and finally I have qualified as an NCT Antenatal Teacher!

In that time I have had 3 children, moved house, completed a humanitarian mission to Kenya and opened my own business! This, as well as the usual juggling act of being a working parent, wife and mother, and both running and attending workshops, has meant that on every occasion my training has fallen to the bottom of the pile.

However, even when not actually attending tutorials, study days, preparing presentations or writing essays, my training is always with me. When I am performing the incredible feat that motherhood is, those valuable life lessons that I have learnt, frequently spill over into all aspects of home and work.

I regularly use the essential tools of becoming a good antenatal teacher, such as reflection and evaluation, listening skills, impartiality and intuition in all aspects of my life. As a result I feel I am now gentler, more approachable, more open, braver and a more thoughtful person. I have enjoyed the thinking time this course has brought me and the new paradigms and concepts I have learnt.

My long, strong held belief that the body is amazing has been affirmed. To follow ones instincts both emotionally and physically we can’t go far wrong.

I have spent my life questioning and pushing barriers, always to be told to conform, but through this course I have found these qualities to be valued and encouraged and it has given me a new found confidence.

I am keen to keep challenging myself and pushing myself out of my comfort zones. I have felt consistently encouraged to try new things, especially facilitating groups and have relished the reward and satisfaction it has brought me.

Looking forward to my future teaching, I know my main challenge will be setting myself realistic targets in course planning. As any working Mum knows, life becomes a juggle between home and work, and there are many obstacles in the way, such as childcare and balancing the needs of the family (including myself!). It will always be a case of prioritising and good time management to ensure I enjoy all aspects of my life without compromising any areas.

I am excited about the future opportunities my qualification will bring me. I would like to explore the options of different course formats to see what suits me best, and I will consider running labour days, and other formats, such as courses for fathers and early days. I look forward to having that flexibility and further developing my own styles.

I would also consider the possibilities of taking my teaching further, running more study days, into schools and perhaps even to Kenya, where I have worked as a humanitarian Osteopath.

I am indebted to the Winchester branch who have supported me financially and emotionally through this time, and to Bridget Mortimor (my antenatal teacher!) who sowed the first seed! Thank you!

Thank you also to all those that support and fundraise for our branch, as indirectly, you have supported me through my training too.

Emma Wightman, BSc(Hons)Ost  and now DipHE!