Question 1

What is Solare Maternity?

Accepted Answer

Solare Maternity is a fully remote maternity education business founded by a UK-trained, NMC-registered midwife. We offer live online antenatal classes, birth preparation courses, breastfeeding and feeding support, birth debriefs, and postnatal support — specifically designed for expat mothers living abroad, primarily across the EU. A core part of our service is helping clients understand how maternity care in their country differs from UK NHS practice.

Question 2

Do you compare UK and EU healthcare systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is a core part of what Solare Maternity does. Laura researches each client's specific local healthcare system and provides detailed comparisons between UK NHS maternity practice and local practice in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and across the EU more broadly. This includes differences in c-section rates and practices, episiotomy rates, induction policies and timelines, pain relief availability (including epidural access), postnatal stay lengths, and overall intervention rates. Clients are educated on their right to informed consent, how to question or decline interventions, and how to advocate for their preferences within a foreign healthcare system.

Question 3

How does maternity care in Spain differ from the UK?

Accepted Answer

Spain has one of the highest c-section rates in the EU and significantly higher episiotomy rates than UK guidelines recommend. Epidural availability and timing can differ across Spanish hospitals, and induction thresholds may differ from NHS NICE guidelines. Postnatal stays in Spain are typically longer than in the UK. Solare Maternity helps clients understand these differences and prepare a birth plan that clearly communicates their preferences to their Spanish medical team.

Question 4

How does maternity care in France differ from the UK?

Accepted Answer

France has a strong medical model of birth with different intervention thresholds to the UK. Epidurals are widely available and routinely offered in French hospitals. Episiotomy use has been declining following updated French guidelines. Postnatal stays are typically 3-4 days for vaginal births. Induction protocols may differ from NHS NICE guidelines. Solare Maternity helps clients navigate the French system with confidence.

Question 5

How does maternity care in Italy differ from the UK?

Accepted Answer

Italy has one of the highest c-section rates in Europe. Episiotomy rates remain higher than UK guidelines recommend. Epidural availability varies significantly between hospitals and regions across Italy. Postnatal stays are typically 2-3 days. Solare Maternity helps clients understand the Italian healthcare context and prepare to advocate for their preferred birth experience.

Question 6

Who are Solare Maternity's classes designed for?

Accepted Answer

Our classes are designed primarily for expat mothers living in the EU who want expert, UK-standard maternity education delivered in English, from the comfort of their home abroad.

Question 7

How are the classes delivered?

Accepted Answer

All classes and support sessions at Solare Maternity are delivered live online. 1-to-1 sessions are conducted via Doxy.me, a dedicated HIPAA/GDPR-compliant healthcare video platform. Group sessions are delivered via Zoom Business, which is also GDPR compliant. This means you can access expert midwifery-led education no matter where you are in the world.

Question 8

Are you a qualified professional?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solare Maternity is founded and led by a fully qualified, UK-trained midwife registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The NMC is the professional regulatory body for nurses and midwives in the UK, and NMC registration is subject to ongoing professional standards. Laura has also worked as a midwife within the NHS, including in the UK's largest maternity unit.

Question 9

What services does Solare Maternity offer?

Accepted Answer

Solare Maternity offers group and private antenatal classes, a twin preparation course, birth plan consultations (including translated birth plans), postnatal support packages, birth debrief sessions, and feeding support — all delivered live online by an NMC-registered midwife. All sessions include country-specific education on local healthcare practices and how they compare to UK NHS standards.

Question 10

Can my partner or a support person join the classes with me?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course! It is important that partners and birth partners get prepared and educated too. Partners are welcome to join any session.

Question 11

How are your services suited to families living abroad?

Accepted Answer

Navigating a foreign healthcare system while pregnant can feel overwhelming and can leave you feeling disconnected from your own care. Solare Maternity's services are designed to help you map out your birth journey abroad, combining UK clinical expertise with a deep understanding of how to advocate for your choices in a different culture. This includes: UK-trained, evidence-based education grounded in the high standards of UK midwifery; detailed research into your specific local healthcare system and how it compares to UK NHS practice; education on local intervention rates, c-section practices, episiotomy, induction policies, and pain relief availability; translated birth plans to ensure your preferences are clearly communicated to your local medical team; and cultural advocacy to help bridge the gap between your personal values and the local medical culture.

Question 12

Can I access Solare Maternity classes if I am giving birth in a non-UK hospital?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our classes are designed specifically with expat mums in mind. We help you understand how care in your local hospital differs from UK practice, prepare for birth in a different healthcare system, and feel confident and informed wherever you are giving birth.

Question 13

Can I book your services if I live in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! While Solare Maternity specialises in helping families navigate maternity systems abroad, the foundation is in UK-trained midwifery education. Laura has worked as a midwife within the NHS and is happy to support UK-based families too.

Question 14

Is remote learning as effective as an in-person class?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Pregnancy does not mean normal life stops — remote learning is tailored around you, in your time zone and on your terms. Our 1-to-1 sessions allow you to pick times that suit you, with the flexibility to change them weekly. Research shows that we retain more information when we are physically comfortable and relaxed. By learning in your own home environment, you are building familiarity in the exact space where you will spend your early labour. No commutes, no hard plastic chairs, and no distractions — just focused, personalised education on your terms.

Question 15

What language are the classes taught in?

Accepted Answer

All Solare Maternity classes are taught in English, making them ideal for English-speaking expat mothers living across the EU.

Question 16

Do you replace local medical teams?

Accepted Answer

No. Solare Maternity's services are educational only and designed to complement — not replace — your local medical team. The goal is to provide you with the knowledge, terminology, and confidence you need to navigate the system, ask the right questions, and advocate for your preferences. Always follow the guidance and advice of your local medical team first.

Question 17

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We understand that pregnancy and life can be unpredictable, but because we reserve a specific time for you, the following policy applies. For 1-to-1 sessions: more than 48 hours' notice receives a full refund; between 24 and 48 hours' notice may be eligible for a 50% refund at our sole discretion; less than 24 hours' notice is non-refundable. For group classes and workshops: group classes are conducted at set dates and times, and your fee secures your place for those specific sessions only. If you are unable to attend a scheduled group session, we are unfortunately unable to reschedule or offer a partial refund. In the event of a missed session, we may at our sole discretion provide you with the digital handouts if one is available.

Question 18

How is my private data handled?

Accepted Answer

Your privacy is a cornerstone of our practice. Pregnancy information is classified as Special Category Data under GDPR. We use Squarespace and Acuity Scheduling to manage bookings and payments. All client records, intake forms, and session notes are stored in Proton, based in Switzerland, which provides end-to-end encryption. Sensitive documents are exchanged via Proton's encrypted email system. For 1-to-1 sessions we use Doxy.me, a dedicated HIPAA/GDPR-compliant healthcare video platform. For group sessions we use Zoom Business, which is GDPR compliant.

Question 19

How do I book a class or session with Solare Maternity?

Accepted Answer

You can book directly through our website at www.solarematernity.com/book-now. If you have any questions before booking, you can also get in touch via our contact page at www.solarematernity.com/contact.

The Finnish Baby Box: History, Contents, and the Countries It's Inspired

Three things to pack in your hospital bag this summer

C-Section in Italy: What Antenatal Classes Often Don't Cover (A Real Experience from Puglia)

Il parto cesareo in Italia: ciò che spesso non viene trattato nei corsi Pre-Parto (un'esperienza vissuta in Puglia)

Supporting Your Partner Through Birth Abroad: A Real Story From China