WHEN Sarah Bairstow began training mums for an antenatal programme little did she know she would experience the benefits first-hand.

Sarah’s introduction to ‘Welcome to the World’ - focusing on issues such as empathy, loving and attentiveness, infant brain development, healthy choices, managing stress, promoting self-esteem and confidence and effective communication - came through her role as a family support worker at BD4 Family, an outreach project working with pre-school children, parents and carers and based at St John’s Church, Bradford.

The 29-year-old mother-of-three trained to deliver the ten-week course which, she explains, helps to prepare pregnant mums mentally, physically and emotionally for their new arrival as well as their families.

“It is trying to get everyone prepared,” says Sarah.

Although Sarah already had two children, a son who is now nine and an eight-year-old daughter, she says she learned much more from the training and, ironically, she found herself reaping the benefits of her extended knowledge when she embarked on the course as a mum-to-be again when expecting her second daughter, who is now seven-months-old.

She says the course was a particular help to her having had an eight-year gap since having her last child to her latest arrival, as it not only refreshed her memory but also expanded her skills.

“We have to prepare ourselves for this new baby coming into our life,” says Sarah.

She says being able to chat with fellow mums-to-be was a great support.

Sarah says some of the things she delivers through the programme, and learned when experiencing the benefits while expecting her daughter Rosie, are bonding with your bump.

“I felt closer to my bump. We were encouraged to sing to our bump," she added.

Participating in the programme also influenced her decision to breastfeed.

Now Sarah hopes to encourage other mums to participate in the programme.

“This course makes you look forward throughout the whole pregnancy. It is something I would highly recommend to every pregnant mum," she added.

Parents from Bradford, Allerton and Bingley have also participated in the programme which has been found to significantly improve expectant and new mothers’ psychological wellbeing and bonding with their babies.

Research from the University of Hull found a number of positive outcomes including a more positive attitude to the baby - while in the womb and as a newborn, an increase in psychological wellbeing and an increased ability to cope with the demands of parenthood.

The 12-month study evaluated the impact of the ‘Welcome to the World’ programme run by Family Links, a national charity dedicated to empowering children, parents, families, schools and workplaces to be emotionally healthy. During the study 131 parents were monitored (96 women and 35 men) nationwide.

Catriona Jones, the study’s principal investigator and Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health and Social Care for the University of Hull, said: “Family Links’ Welcome to the World programme appears to play an important part in preparing parents for parenting and brings significant benefits.

“For example, many new parents are now aware of the importance of forging a connection with their baby even during pregnancy. The programme increased their awareness of how to start to connect with their baby while still in the womb, by talking or encouraging other family members to feel the baby’s movements. In turn, this led to stronger connections which characterise the bonding process once the baby was born.”

The antenatal programme has been accessed by more than 2.600 parents since 2015. It runs in children’s centres, schools and nurseries around the UK.

The study identified specific improvements in five areas: bonding and attachment, parental wellbeing, breastfeeding, practical care and improvements in attunement - the art of a parent being present and responsive to their baby through behaviour such as eye contact and mimicking behaviour.