Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny

Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny In-person antenatal classes in Hawke’s Bay and online options across New Zealand, supporting parents through pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

Congratulations, I am so excited for you. You are about to embark on one of life's most exciting journeys - becoming a parent. My mission has always been to be here for all, and for all to be comfortable, safe, secure, included, informed and empowered. Bellies to Babies Antenatal Classes provide antenatal education, with a range of options to suit everyone. My classes are fun, friendly, informativ

e and impartial, you will come away with lots of information and hints and tips and all your questions answered (curly ones included!). Antenatal education is a crucial component of antenatal care. There are many excellent reasons, especially for those experiencing the surprises, curiosity and fears of pregnancy for the first time. They help you, and your partner prepare yourselves mentally, emotionally and physically for your journey to parenthood. Making connections with other parents due around the same time as yourselves is equally important - I will help you create a great support network. Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook and Google. I'd love you to join me, sign up today :)
Janine x

Well… todays’s antenatal class took an unexpected turn.I broke my pelvis.To clarify before rumours start spreading… it w...
16/05/2026

Well… todays’s antenatal class took an unexpected turn.

I broke my pelvis.

To clarify before rumours start spreading… it was my pelvic model, not my actual pelvis.

After more than 21 years of teaching birth education, I’ve demonstrated a lot of things during class… but somehow managing to break the pelvic model mid-class was definitely a first.

No dramatic moment.
No loud crack.
Just me slowly realising the pelvis was no longer structurally committed to its role in the lesson.

Safe to say the pelvis has officially retired from active duty.

Honestly, it feels oddly fitting for birth education sometimes:
Things don’t always go to plan.
You improvise.
You adapt.
You keep going.

Thankfully everyone found it as funny as I did, and the class carried on with one slightly less functional pelvis in the room.

Now begins the search for a replacement…
Preferably one sturdy enough to survive another 20 years of antenatal classes.

Janine

Imagine knowing exactly how to help your baby when they’re unsettled…That’s what this course is all about.My Baby Sensor...
17/04/2026

Imagine knowing exactly how to help your baby when they’re unsettled…

That’s what this course is all about.

My Baby Sensory & Massage Course is designed to give you practical, hands-on skills you can use every day.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

• Techniques to calm, settle, and soothe your baby
• Massage routines that support sleep and digestion
• Confidence in handling and connecting with your baby
• A clearer understanding of your baby’s cues
• A toolkit you can rely on in real-life moments

Plus… a relaxed space to connect with other parents.

Spots are limited to keep things small and supportive.
Send me a message or head to the link to secure your place.

https://belliestobabies.co.nz/babysensorymassage

You can love your baby deeply… and still feel the shift in your relationship.Can we talk about something that doesn’t ge...
16/04/2026

You can love your baby deeply… and still feel the shift in your relationship.

Can we talk about something that doesn’t get spoken about enough?

What actually happens to relationships after baby.

Not just the sleep deprivation and the logistics…

But the shift in connection.
The change in libido.
The emotional distance that can quietly creep in.

’ve seen this come up so many times over the years.

One person feeling touched out, overwhelmed, and like they have nothing left to give.

The other trying to understand what’s changed, missing that connection, and not always knowing how to reach for it without making things worse.

And somewhere in the middle…
Both people wondering what’s going on.

It’s not just hormones.
It’s not just “communication.”
And it’s definitely not because something is wrong with your relationship.

There’s actually a lot happening underneath the surface.

I’ve been sitting with this for a while now… and I’m starting to think this might be something I dive into more deeply.

For now, I’d love to hear from you.

Did your relationship feel different after baby?
What caught you off guard the most?

Welcome to post anon :)

14/04/2026

Most people think antenatal classes are about information.

They're not.

They're about how you feel walking into birth.

Confident.
Steady.
Clear on your options.
Support enough to ask questions, speak up and make decisions that feel right for you.

That's the work.

And, that's why I do this.

A lot of people ask me if online antenatal classes are “as good” as in-person ones.And honestly… it depends.If it’s just...
13/04/2026

A lot of people ask me if online antenatal classes are “as good” as in-person ones.

And honestly… it depends.

If it’s just pre-recorded videos you’re working through on your own, it can feel a bit like ticking a box. You might learn something, but it doesn’t always stick, and it’s hard to know what actually matters for you.

But when it’s live and interactive, it becomes a completely different experience.

You can ask questions as they come up.
You hear what other parents are thinking.
You realise you’re not the only one wondering certain things.
And you get explanations in real time, not hours or days later.

For a lot of parents, it actually feels more relaxed than being in a room full of people. You’re in your own space, comfortable, and still getting the full experience.

It’s not about online vs in-person.
It’s about how the class is run.

If you’re trying to decide what’s right for you, I’m always happy to chat it through

08/04/2026

Nausea isn’t just an early pregnancy thing.

It can show up later on… and it can definitely make an appearance during labour too.

There’s a simple little trick that some people find really helpful in the moment.

Alcohol wipes.

When you open one and gently smell it, it can interrupt that wave of nausea and take the edge off. It doesn’t fix the cause, but it can give you a bit of relief when you need it most.

To try it:
Open the wipe, hold it a few centimetres from your nose, and take a few slow breaths in.

That’s it.

It won’t work for everyone… but it’s quick, easy, and something you can pop in your bag just in case.

Sometimes it’s these small, practical tools that make all the difference.

Join me this Saturday at 10am for a Guided Tour of our Maternity Units - Ata Rangi and Waioha where we get to have a goo...
07/04/2026

Join me this Saturday at 10am for a Guided Tour of our Maternity Units - Ata Rangi and Waioha where we get to have a good look around. I'll explain the equipment, how to personalise your room, what you can do and bring and loads of hints and tips to make things easier.

Email me info@belliestobabies.co.nz to secure your space

You might have seen this little wooden tool floating around and thought… what is that actually for?It’s called a birth c...
04/04/2026

You might have seen this little wooden tool floating around and thought… what is that actually for?

It’s called a birth comb.

And it’s one of those simple, surprisingly effective tools you can use during labour.

It’s not for brushing your hair.
It’s for squeezing.

During a contraction, you hold the comb in your palm and apply firm pressure. The teeth press into your hand, stimulating nerve endings and acupressure points.

Here’s the interesting part…

Your brain can only focus on so many sensations at once.

So when your hand is getting strong, steady input, it can help take some of the focus away from the intensity of the contraction.

It doesn’t remove the sensation completely.
But it can make it feel more manageable. More contained. More in your control.

This is linked to something called the gate control theory of pain. It’s a simple, drug-free way to support yourself in labour.

What I love about it:

• It’s small, lightweight, and easy to use
• Your partner can be involved and supportive
• It works alongside other comfort measures like movement, water, breathing and heat
• You’re in control the entire time

Like anything, it won’t be everyone’s favourite tool.
But having options matters.

Because labour isn’t about having one perfect technique… it’s about having a range of tools you can draw from when you need them.

If you’re curious about things like this and want to feel more prepared (not overwhelmed), I’d love to support you.

Send me a message.

24/03/2026

A question I get asked all the time - "What is the difference between your in-person and live, online classes?"

My focus is always the same - helping you move from second-guessing everything..... to actually feeling calm, confident and prepared.

No overwhelm
No judgment
No pressure to do things a certain way

Real talk, honest conversations, evidence informed education, practical hands-on activities and support.

There’s something about becoming a parent that shifts things a little…You start thinking about the “what ifs.”What if th...
23/03/2026

There’s something about becoming a parent that shifts things a little…

You start thinking about the “what ifs.”

What if they choke?
What if they stop breathing?
What if something just doesn’t feel right?

Not in an anxious, spiralling kind of way - more in that quiet, responsible “I want to be ready” kind of way.

Because in an emergency, it’s not about knowing everything…
it’s about knowing what to do in those first few moments.

Those moments where staying calm, recognising what’s happening, and taking the right action can make all the difference.

Most parents I speak to don’t want to feel like they’re guessing in that situation. They want to feel steady. Clear. Capable.

And the truth is…
googling in an emergency isn’t a plan.

That’s exactly why I run the Baby & Infant Emergency Know-How workshop.

It’s practical, hands-on, and focused on the things that actually matter - what to look for, what to do, and when to act.

We cover things like:
• choking
• CPR
• breathing concerns
• fevers
• head bumps and common accidents

All in a way that builds confidence without overwhelming you.

If this has been sitting in the back of your mind - this is your nudge.

Next workshop: 10th June

If you’d like more details or want to join us, just let me know or keep an eye out - I’ll share more soon.

Today I’ve been writing one of the most personal chapters in my book.The chapter that talks about the emotional side of ...
09/03/2026

Today I’ve been writing one of the most personal chapters in my book.

The chapter that talks about the emotional side of becoming a parent - the baby blues, postnatal depression, anxiety, birth trauma, and the things we don’t always talk about out loud.

While writing it, I’ve had moments where my own memories surfaced. My heart raced, anxiety crept in, and I felt the familiar edge of panic that once lived very close to me after the birth of my own children.

More than twenty years have passed since then.

But experiences like that leave marks, and sometimes certain conversations or memories can still stir things up.

I’m sharing this because I want the parents who will read this book to know something important.

This chapter isn’t written from a distance.
It’s written from a place of understanding.

And if parts of your own journey feel heavy, complicated, or hard to talk about - please know you are not alone.

Some chapters in life take time to process.
Some stories take courage to tell.

But they matter.

And so do you.

Address

9 Clyde Jeffery Drive
Napier
4112

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+64226370624

Website

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