Antenatal classes
Emily Cater
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If you’re midway through your pregnancy, you’re probably starting to think about antenatal classes – do you need to pay for classes, what types of classes are out there, or do you need to go to them at all?
Yep, when it comes to antenatal classes, you've probably heard a lot of mixed opinions, and you may even already have an idea in mind of what they might be like.
Will they be fun, or like going back to school again - pens at the ready! Will they be in person, or online?
Find out more about the classes on offer around the UK for modern mums and dads-to-be, right here ...
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Plus, don’t forget you can find antenatal classes in your area right here on Netmums.
So what are antenatal classes?
Antenatal classes are courses designed to help you to prepare for your baby’s birth, giving you confidence and information.
Among other things, in the sessions you'll learn:
- how to look after and feed your baby – including information around breastfeeding and bottle-feeding
- how to stay healthy during pregnancy and after the birth
- how to make a birth plan, considering the different arrangements for labour and birth and the choices available to you
- how to take care of yourself at home after giving birth
- exercises to keep you fit and active during pregnancy
- what happens during labour and birth
- how to cope with labour and information about different types of pain relief
- how to help yourself during labour and birth
- relaxation and breathing techniques
- education about different kinds of birth and interventions, such as ventouse or forceps delivery
- information about mental health and emotions surrounding birth, having a baby and being a parent
If you're doing a class under the NHS at your local hospital, you may also meet some of the people who will look after you during labour and after the birth.
Antenatal classes provide a good opportunity to discuss your plans, as well as any concerns or questions with professionals and other parents.
Group antenatal classes are also a great way to make friends with other parents who are expecting babies around the same time as you. These friendships can help parents through the first few months with their new baby, and you may even meet your new bestie!
There are even antenatal classes for second time around parents who already have children, which may be called 'refresher' classes.
When should I start antenatal classes?
If you feel keen to try antenatal classes, you may be able to attend introductory classes on baby care early in pregnancy. However, most antenatal classes start around 8-10 weeks before your baby is due, when you're around 30-32 weeks pregnant.
According to the NHS, If you're expecting twins, it's ideal to start your classes when you're around 24 weeks pregnant, because your babies are more likely to be born early. Some units offer special antenatal classes for women expecting multiples – ask your midwife about this.
Who runs antenatal classes?
If you're doing an antenatal class with the NHS, it will usually be midwives who lead the classes. You might even meet the midwife who will look after you during labour and birth, if you choose to go to your local hospital.
NHS classes are most likely to take place in the hospital or a community health centre.
If you opt to do a private antenatal class, such as an NTC class, it could be run by a specialist trained antenatal practitioner, a midwife, a doula, or an individual specialising in hypnobirthing.
How many antenatal classes do I need to attend?
There's no set number of classes that you need to attend, and most courses will have a different set-up. Some are 10 hours, some are 12, some are 18, while others are limited to just one two-hour session.
How many classes or hours you end up doing will depend entirely on the antenatal class you pick, so if you have an idea in mind of how intense a course you'd like to do, speak to your midwife for their advice and recommendations.
How much do antenatal courses cost?
NHS classes are free, but private courses vary a lot in how much they charge. It depends on what type of course you choose, as well as where you live in the UK.
NCT classes cost anywhere from £11.90 to £22.00 per hour. However, they do offer reduced costs for under-18s, students, and families who are on a low income or receiving certain benefits. You can also pay by instalments.
According to Which? you may expect to pay an average of about £175 in total for private antenatal classes.
How to choose the right antenatal class for you
Have a think about what you hope to gain from antenatal classes and what will suit you best, so you can find the sort of class that works for you. Different antenatal classes will provide slightly different services.
If you hope to have a natural birth, for example, hypnobirthing antenatal classes might be best for you. If you want to do antenatal classes with your partner, look for those that encourage this.
You'll also want to think about what's most convenient; which classes run at a time and place that's easy for you and your partner to get to?
Places in antenatal classes can get booked up early, so it's a good idea to start making enquiries early on in your pregnancy so you can secure a place in the class you'd like. If you want to, you can attend more than one class.
Speak to your midwife if you can't go to classes, or would prefer to do it online at home. They may be able to send you some links or lend you a DVD about antenatal care, as well as recommending some books.
Read all about the different types antenatal classes below:
Preparation for parenthood classes
These classes are designed to give you information on what to expect in labour, different birth options, pain relief, labour interventions (like induction and c-sections), and some early practical parenting skills like how to bath a baby.
But apart from that, they're the easiest place to meet other parents-to-be. Everyone on the course will be due at about the same time and will usually also be first-time parents.
It's a great way to get to know the other parents that you're likely to bump into a lot over the coming months. These are the same mums you will meet at your baby's 6 week check, at weigh-ins, their first injections, at toddler groups.
It's also really good for the dads to know other dads, and friendships from these antenatal classes can be powerful and long-lasting.
Many people use these friends to build their new social life, as nights out clubbing change to chaotic evenings with a takeaway, a few bottles of wine and three or four tiny babies in car seats on or under the dinner table!
NHS classes
If you're having your baby at a hospital, the hospital will often run classes, or your midwife or local clinic may also run them.
They may offer anything from a single two-hour session, to a six-week course with a series of classes.
NHS classes are usually taught by hospital midwives who will be very knowledgeable about pregnancy, labour and birth. They'll also know all about the hospital's procedures and policies.
If the class is in the hospital you may also get a chance to look at the maternity unit, and learn useful things like the location of the night bell!
Do check ahead of time if your hospital or local clinic is still running these during the pandemic, as some may have been switched to online.
You can use the NHS site to find their classes closest to you.
NCT classes
NCT classes are a popular option among parents-to-be.
The classes are taught by National Childbirth Trust-trained antenatal teachers, in a house, hall or health centre, usually on a weekly basis, over an eight-week period.
Even within the NCT, there are different types of classes available, from one-off workshops to weekly classes, so you can pick whatever works best for you.
Generally, classes take place in the evening, but some are held at weekends to make it easier for those parents-to-be who work during the day.
The classes are often small (five to seven couples, or six to ten women) so you have the chance to get to know the other people on the course.
Most classes have a reunion after all the babies are born. For many people the friendships they make at their NCT class last for years and form the basis of their social circle and support network.
If you want to attend NCT classes try to book early, but you can contact the NCT at any stage of pregnancy.
There's more information about NCT classes on the NCT website.
Hypnobirthing classes
Several organisations now run birth preparation classes based on using a form of hypnosis in childbirth. This is now more commonly known as hypnobirthing.
Don't worry; no one's going to be waving a pocket watch in your face and saying 'you're feeling sleepy, very sleeeeepy'! Hypnobirthing is more about preparing your subconscious mind for giving birth, helping you to feel more in control.
Many hypnobirthing courses are also comprehensive antenatal classes that cover the physiology of labour, preparing your body for labour, choosing your birthing environment, writing your birth plan etc.
These classes focus on natural childbirth and teach you techniques for relaxing and breathing in ways that help to have a calm birth.
Classes emphasise that birth doesn't need to be full of fear, pain and struggle. The aim is to give mums confidence in their ability to birth naturally, while simultaneously giving their partner a specific role with hints and tips on how they can have an important role to play.
The use of hypnobirthing during labour has been tried and tested over nearly 20 years. Classes are available throughout the UK from organisations such as HypnoBirthing and Natal Hypnotherapy and many independent birth hypnotherapists.
Do you have to attend antenatal classes?
While there are many benefits of attending antenatal classes – like learning things you may not have known before, and making new mum friends – it is not mandatory that you go to any.
While they aren't compulsory, antenatal classes can help you and your partner to focus on your pregnancy, and prepare for labour and birth.
If your classes also look at the first days and weeks with your new baby, you'll be better prepared for the practicalities, and the highs and lows, of parenthood.
The decision of whether or not to go, however, is ultimately yours.
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff is a must-read book for all expectant parents. See more details here at Amazon.
You can also buy it here at Waterstones.
Are you pregnant and considering antenatal classes? Read more below and discuss with other parents over on our Coffeehouse forum:
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