ABOUT CUBCARE

Birth, and parenting ARE things we can feel prepared for, calm and confident about. My mission is to help you feel confident in your abilities from pregnancy.

HELLO!

I'm Jilly

I am not your typical antenatal and baby class teacher; I’m your guide, your cheerleader, and your confidant throughout this amazing chapter of your life. I use evidence based information and education to equip you with everything you need to feel empowered and confident on your journey.

With 10 years experience and a heart dedicated to supporting growing families, I found my passion and purpose in helping parents like you navigate the beautiful and sometimes overwhelming world of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood.

I am a trained antenatal, pre and postnatal exercise, hypnobirthing and pregnancy yoga teacher. I'm also a postnatal doula, babywearing consultant and baby development specialist – and mum to two kids based in Welwyn, Hertfordshire! Phew!

I teach innovative antenatal classes both in person and online, hypnobirthing, pregnancy yoga, baby massage, yoga and sensory classes, and babywearing dance. I also offer a whole lot of support to the local community around Welwyn Hatfield.

In 2024, I co-founded The Birth and Baby Company, where we offer support to corporate companies, offering antenatal education as an employee benefit.

I am certain that whatever kind of birth and parenting journey you are planning, the tools and techniques offered here will make a huge difference to your experience.

Image of Jilly Clarke, owner of CubCare Antenatal and Baby. She is similing at the camera.

How it all started...

The phrase “but it was all worth it,” is uttered so often after a difficult birth I often find it difficult to hear, because there is a real chance that your birth did not need to happen that way. And you do not need to feel that way either.

I had a difficult birth experience with my first baby. After the birth of my son I felt quite traumatised; it was a fairly straight forward birth on paper but I felt so out of control and unsupported by overstretched medical professionals that it took a while to get over that. I did an NCT class with my partner, but it didn’t do much to prepare me. I felt unprepared for recovering from birth, let alone a traumatic one.

That simple phrase "but it was all worth it" can come from a completely genuine feeling of gratitude, and in that case, it is simply wonderful. But I could never say it, because it felt like I would be dismissing the difficult journey because it is what you ‘should’ say.

The postnatal journey is difficult enough without the guilt of feeling like you should be appreciative of a difficult experience.

All too often pregnancy, birth or the early days with baby will throw you into the unknown and it can be an anxious and stressful time.

I am privileged to be able to walk alongside you as you navigate your options (or help you see your options!) and make your decisions. Everything I offer is judgement free and evidence based so that you are fully equipped to choose the right thing for you and your family.

My mission is to empower you to embrace this transformative time with confidence, to feel secure in your choices, and to navigate this journey. Whether you are navigating the NHS system and facing a very medicalised birth, or perhaps you are planning a home birth, the techniques I will teach you can help you feel confident no matter the path you take.

My classes aren’t just about providing the information and techniques and sending you on your way. They are a safe space for you to ask questions, share experiences, and build connections with other parents who are on this incredible journey alongside you.

We’ll laugh, we’ll learn, and we’ll support one another every step of the way. Together, we’ll celebrate the miracles (and share the not to nice bits) of pregnancy, childbirth, and the joy of parenting.

I can’t wait to get to know you and your unique story. So, whether you’re an expectant parent preparing for the arrival of your little one or a new parent embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, I’m here to help you find your own path, and your own tribe.

Feel free to explore my website to learn more about the classes I offer, or reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I’m here for you, and I can’t wait to be a part of your beautiful, growing family’s story.

My Training

Daisy Foundation Antenatal educator 2015

Daisy Foundation baby teacher 2015

Daisy Foundation Perinatal Educator certificate (DFPE 2017-2018)

Chilled Muma Starting Solids Facilitator course Jan 2021

Slingababy Babywearing consultancy course Jan 2021

Abuela Doula Postnatal Sankofa course June 2021

Baby Massage March 2023

Hypnobirthing Instructor May 2023

BodSphere 200hr Yoga instructor August 2023

YogaRenew Prenatal yoga course August 2023

HFE Exercise to Music level 2 2024

HFE Pre and Postnatal Exercise instructor 2024

Study Days and CPD

Body Ready Method training July 2023

Biomechanics for Birth June 2022

Little Possums sleep course February 2021

Holistic Sleep Mini Course May 2021

The Queer Birth Club LGBTQ+ Competency training June 2021

Cultural Competency training May 2020

Breastfeeding Update with Sarah March IBCLC, 2017

Microbirth screening and discussion with Michel Odent, 2014

My birth stories

I found The Daisy Foundation when my son was just shy of 6 weeks and attended Tinies, Wrigglers and what is now Cruisers with the wonderful Keeley in Hertford and Ware.

I felt welcomed, remembered and seen in every single class and that is what kept me coming back term after term, and eventually inspiring me to bring the classes to my local area (I lived in North West London at the time).

Training in the antenatal side of the business I decided that if it helped me have a different birth with any other children to the one I experienced with my son then it was worth it; but to give others the same benefit would be the icing on the cake.

Fast forward to the pregnancy with my daughter, and because of the knowledge I had gained from teaching classes, developed by midwives, I was able to take control.

I was offered the choice of a c-section, something that was initially quite appealing given the trauma surrounding my son’s birth. But, because of my knowledge I was able to consider alternatives using evidence and statistics, that I wasn’t given by the NHS.

Rather than a c-section, I actually chose a standalone birth centre birth as I knew that the support and encouragement of that setting would help with what was expected to be a straightforward labour.

The birth wasn’t without it’s ups and downs, but because of the hypnobirthing and active birth techniques I had learnt and had been teaching I was able to navigate these confidently.

I can honestly say, that because of my hypnobirthing and active birth knowledge, my daughter’s birth was so amazing. I was on an oxytocin high for weeks!And I want that for all my clients. No matter how you choose to birth, it CAN be so positive.

Some special client words

“This labour was SO much better than the first. Your refresher antenatal course helped so much for the labour, it was much calmer than the first and much more controlled. The breathing techniques were so helpful – I breathed her out!”

“I felt completely in control for the entire 26 hour labour – I just felt so calm, the breaths were incredible and the consultant commented on how she couldn’t believe I’d refused an epidural. I felt confident enough to question and on occasion challenge recommendations of the midwives so that the birth ended up being as natural as possible! A very positive experience to look back on. Thank you!!”

"Jilly has a talent for creating a really welcoming, friendly and safe space which is great for mums and babies alike. The classes are informative and fun, yet relaxed, and centrered around the babies, so it’s fine if one is crying, another is asleep and one is having a nappy change!"

Some fun facts about me...

Its a bit of a running joke that when I'm asked a question I give you ALL the answers...I'm passionate about my subject!

I'm obsessed with babies. Another running joke is that if a baby looks me in the eye in class, I can't look away until they do first!

In a former life I used to work in media and advertising. I must say, I prefer my current life! But it's helped me with marketing by business and creating a website.

I did an English, Film and Theatre degree and never knew how handy that would ever be - but I use my skills every day!

I'm the youngest of 4 children so I have a big family and it's my favourite thing. Although none of them live close-by. I think that's why I'm so passionate about creating communities.

I grew up dancing, spending years doing ballet, modern and tap. In university I took up cheerleading. And I swam for county at synchronised swimming as a child!

Download our Freebies

Labour and Birth

Watch our introduction to antenatal education webinar, our labour and birth overview - to start your antenatal education journey. Understanding the process, and what you can do to influence it.

Pregnancy Planner

Free Pregnancy Planner to help you prepare for a little one. Prepare your body, your mind, your finances and your home. Get organised, feel good and prepare for an active, positive birth.

Birth Partner Guide

Your ultimate guide to being the best birth partner during pregnancy, birth and recovery. Learn what you need to do, and what you need to learn to be the best birth partner possible.