Prenatal Classes for Expats In Leuven
In partnership with
The International House Leuven (IHL) is a non-profit that helps internationals get settled, find work and establish a community in and around Leuven.
Navigating pregnancy and childbirth in a new healthcare system can feel overwhelming. You deserve a supportive space where you can get evidence-based information, practical tools, and an immediate connection to a community of local parents.
Organized in conjunction with International House Leuven, our English prenatal courses give you and your birth partner everything you need to transition into parenthood with confidence. From understanding Belgian hospital procedures, your pain relief options to caring for your newborn.
Classes are ideal to attend when you are around your 5th to 7th month of pregnancy. Because we keep our groups small to ensure a supportive setting, spaces fill up rapidly
Location: In-person hosted at International House Leuven
Investment: €325 (partial reimbursement may be available via your Belgian health insurance provider/mutuelle) Includes: for in person sessions coffee and tea, please bring your own picnic lunch!
NEXT COURSE
Session 1
19th January 2027
2 hours online
Session 2
24th January 2027
6 hours in-person
Session 3
7th February 2027
6 hours in-person
Ideal if your due date is between March to May 2027
In-Person Sessions at: IHL Events, Tiensevest 60, 3000 Leuven
Online Session via: ZOOM
WHAT DO WE COVER?
Session 1: The Physiology of Labour
Online via ZOOM 2 hrs (19:00 - 21:00)
Labour signs: Spot the difference between practice contractions and the real deal
When to go: Clear, stress-free rules on exactly when to head to the hospital
Body mechanics: How your muscles and hormones work together during birth
Session 2: The Labour & Birth Day
Sunday 6 hrs (10:00 - 16:00)
Comfort measures: Hands-on practice with breathing and active birth positions
Pain relief: A realistic look at epidurals and medical options in Belgian hospitals
Partner support: Practical tools for your partner, from counter-pressure to advocating for you
Informed decision making Learn how to use the B.R.A.I.N. acronym to make confident, informed decisions
Session 3: The Postnatal & Baby Day
Sunday 6 hrs (10:00 - 16:00)
Baby basics: Safe sleep, soothing techniques, and breastfeeding
Your recovery: Navigating physical healing, mental health, and sleep!
Belgian admin: Setting up your postnatal support and navigating the postnatal period as expats
Designed for the Leuven Expat Community
International House Leuven Partnership: Supported by Leuven's dedicated hub for internationals, ensuring a welcoming environment designed specifically for expats
100% in English
Small Group Environment: Class sizes are strictly capped to ensure personalized attention and genuine social connections
Practical: We balance clinical information with hands-on practice for comfort positions, massage, and breathing
Build Your Village: Connect with other international parents-to-be living in the Leuven area
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the connection with International House Leuven?
We work in collaboration with International House Leuven to provide high-quality, trusted support to the city's growing international community. This partnership ensures our content directly addresses the unique questions and administrative hurdles faced by expats expecting a baby in Leuven.
Q: Should my partner attend the course with me?
Yes! The course is fully designed for you and your birth partner but if you wish to come on your own that’s fine too!
Q: Is any part of this class reimbursable?
We are not INAMI registered so Belgian health insurance funds may offer partial or full reimbursements for prenatal preparation courses but we cannot guarantee it
Q: What language is the class taught in? ENGLISH
Q: What is your cancellation policy if our baby arrives early?
If your baby arrives early or medical bedrest prevents you from attending, we offer a pro-rata refund for the sessions you miss—or we can convert your remaining balance into a 1-on-1 postnatal support session online. For all other cancellations, please contact us at least 14 days before Session 1 for a full refund.
Your Prenatal Teachers
Jane Piot
Kate Ellwood
I am an experienced birth doula and certified breastfeeding specialist and an accredited member of the Association francophone des doulas de Belgique. I have accompanied more than 60 births and have supported countless couples with antenatal preparation sessions including specific sessions on breastfeeding preparation. I believe that all women deserve to be nurtured and supported throughout pregnancy and birth, and their choices respected at all times. My aim is to help women to realise the unique power they have within themselves to birth their babies the way they choose to. I support couples through late-stage pregnancy, labour and birth and in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding whatever their feeding goals may be. My approach blends evidence-based knowledge with a deep respect for each family’s unique needs and preferences. Many of my clients via doula-jane.com have been English or French speaking expats with no family living close by and it has made a huge difference to them to have built up a relationship with me prior to giving birth and to have a trusted person by their side who almost feels like family.
Before coming to Belgium I was a qualified nurse with 25 years practical experience and have a Master of Studies in Primary and Community Care from Cambridge University. Studying for a Diploma in Antenatal Education from the University of Bedford (UK) kept me busy as we settled into life in Belgium. I was a Prenatal Teacher (teaching the more traditional NCT style antenatal classes) for the BCT for 5 years.
As a certified KG Hypnobirthing Teacher since August 2020, I bring a wealth of experience in antenatal education to support expectant parents through their hypnobirthing journey.
My KG Hypnobirthing teacher training was accredited by the Royal College of Midwives in the UK - a mark of quality and professionalism I value. I receive ongoing support from KG Hypnobirthing, with study days and talks from some of the leading figures in maternity care and birth workers worldwide. This ensures my knowledge stays relevant and up to date.