NEW and soon-to-be mothers across Basingstoke are being encouraged to join two new pregnancy and post-natal fitness courses.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has teamed up with pregnancy fitness and birthing specialists FitMama to deliver the six-week courses at a reduced cost of £2 per session.

The courses, which are split into two separate programmes – pregnancy and post-natal – will take place at the FitMama studio at the Basepoint Centre, in Stroudley Road, Basingstoke.

The one-hour-a-week pregnancy course, which starts on October 30 at 7pm, is suitable for women who are 12 to 40-weeks pregnant and will run until December 4.

It aims to prepare mums’ fitness with pelvic stability training and breathing techniques for labour and delivery.

The post-natal course will start on Wednesday, October 15 at 12.15pm and will run weekly until Wednesday, November 19.

Suitable for women as early as two to three weeks post-natal, depending on delivery and pre-delivery levels, this one-hour course aims to provide a safe return to fitness through pelvic and core repair, nutritional coaching and support for exhaustion and sleep deprivation.

Babies and feeding are also welcome in this class.

Councillor Cathy Osselton, the borough council’s Cabinet member for partnerships, said: “These classes aim to provide additional support to both pregnant and post-natal women through exercise and advice.

“This is the first time we have supported these classes, and we look forward to welcoming many new or soon-to-be mums on to the programme.”

People wishing to take part in either of the courses will be required to complete a pre-screening form, and are advised to consult with their GP or midwife before undertaking any exercise programme.

For more information about the sessions, and to book a place on one of the courses, contact Claire Leaney at the borough council by calling 01256 844844 or email her at claire.leaney@basingstoke.gov.uk.