The National Childbirth Trust is to hold lesbian-only classes for mums-to-be in Bradford in a national first.

It is the idea of NCT ante-natal teacher Sarah Williams who says she is responding to requests from women living across the north of England.

In common with all NCT classes the two-day intensive programme will help prepare women for all aspects of late pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.

By the end of the course it is hoped participants will have the confidence and information to make informed choices during labour and early parenting, make new friends and have fun.

By having lesbian-only classes it will be possible for Miss Williams to focus on issues specific to this group.

"This is not a criticism of existing NCT classes," she said. "Although the vast majority of lesbian women or couples have found NCT ante-natal classes met their needs as expectant parents and have had a positive response from other couples, there are many reasons for lesbian-only classes."

Miss Williams said these included the need for lesbians to build up friendship and support networks which will enable their children to have friends from similar backgrounds, to reduce anxiety or concerns about homophobia and an opportunity to talk about specific lesbian issues, such as if the donor or father will be involved and if so how much.

Miss Williams said: "I have already had a few inquiries about the course and I hope it will take off but it is early days and we will have to see how demand goes.

"The NCT is very keen that I evaluate this course thoroughly because it wants to understand how to meet the needs of lesbians.

"I hope the course will run this autumn subject to sufficient numbers. I have had interest from Hebden Bridge, Manchester and Leeds so Bradford is ideally located to hold the course and the Equity Centre in Providence Street is happy to support the project."

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of The National Childbirth Trust said she was not aware of any other such classes being run by the NCT in the country "The NCT provides classes for all sorts of different groups, such as teenage and young mums, women only groups for those who will not have a man present at the birth so this is a natural extension of that," she said.

"People often feel more comfortable being in a class with people from similar backgrounds and interests."

For more information contact Sarah Williams on 07852 123139.

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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