It was thought that the minerals within spa water have rejuvenating abilities. Evidence now points to the immersion effects being the most beneficial factor.
Along with the benefits of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure this makes the participation of Aquanatal not only enjoyable but also advantageous to women both during and after their pregnancy.
Aquanatal.co.uk aims to assist women is locating a class near to them so that they to can enjoy all of the benefits that Aquanatal has to offer.
We spend a great deal of time with pregnant women and are often best placed to understand them.
We know that an important aspect of any ante-natal education is that of socialising and are able to facilitate this during each session.
We are able to give good, research based, sound advice.
We instil confidence in the women we come into contact with. We help them to believe in themselves and their own body’s ability.
We promote good health in pregnancy, encourage self-help and engender well-being.
It is our responsibility to ensure that the advice, information and instruction that we give is research-based and the most current available.
It is our responsibility as stated within the NMC Midwives Rules that we should undertake only the tasks that we have been properly trained to perform.
Aquanatal.co.uk aims to help Midwives to find suitable training courses to enable them to facilitate Aquanatal sessions for the benefit of the mothers.
Facilitating
sessions is also extremely enjoyable for the Instructor!
Imagine an hour in the water with a group of motivated women who are also
enjoying themselves, laughing and talking, moving about in the water,
using floats and woggles to enhance the exercise. All of this accompanied
to the music of your choice. I could think of worse jobs!
Aquanatal Books for Midwives
There are not too many books available on aquanatal but we have listed some of those which are.
Aquanatal Courses for Midwives
Any midwife wishing to qualify as an aquanatal instructor has two basic choices
- training courses offered by commercial organisations
- university-based courses
Since I am fascinated by the whole subject of Aquanatal I have done both!
‘Aquafusion’
is the company with whom I did my initial training.
They offer various courses including intense week-ends (hard work and
fun!). The courses are pitched at different levels according to your
needs. It is specialist aqua-natal training, which is ENB approved for
Midwifery Profession.
Aquafusion is an associate company of Northern Fitness and Education.
Their web address is http://www.northernfitness.co.uk/aquafusion/aqua_fusion.html
Salford University
(nr. Manchester) run an Aquanatal Level III module (20 credits).
As far as I am aware this is the only degree module available anywhere
in the UK. I took this course after I had been teaching for 18 months,
to enhance my knowledge and further develop my teaching.
The course is run over a 12 week period, although there may be other options
available in due course.
The course is hard work, it is not an easy option for obtaining credits
towards a degree!
Contact is Sue Baines and her e-mail address is S.M.Baines@salford.ac.uk.
An
overview of the Salford course may be found by following this link.
These are the only accredited course providers we are currently aware of. We would be very happy to feature and link to any other organisations providing course for midwives. Please use the e-mail link below to let us know about them.
Photographs on this page are courtesy of and copyright
The Comadres Institute is an American organisation which promotes midwifery, including aquantal exercise amongst many other aspects.
On line information for midvives - on all manner of subjects -is available from
