Don't think I can get on antenatal course

[Gingernut81]

Hi, this is my first pregnancy and it only occurred to me that my midwife hadn't mentioned antenatal classes at my 31 week appointment. I kind of assumed that they would tell me about it rather than me have to chase it. Any way got in touch with her at 32 weeks & she gave me a number and told me to keep trying as they were busy. I've been trying for 2 weeks, left messages & brought it up again at my 34 week appointment today. My midwife then found out that the booking person is on annual leave and she'll see what she can do. I'm now stressing in case I don't get booked on a course. Has anyone been in a similar position, should I be worried or just accept it & chill out?! Any advice would be great!

[MelB2014]

I have also found it really hard to get on a course, I started chasing it at 24w and everything was already full!

In the end I've taken the last place on a course in a town 8 miles away because I could not get on any in the city I live in, neither NHS nor NCT. The course I'm doing now is a private one run by another organisation called 'Bump 2 Baby Reality'. I am also 31w and I start it tonight, apparently other mums to be from my area will be there too I assume for the same reason.

Keep pushing the MW as she may need to be your key to get into the local ones.

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

My local one was full by the time I got round to try and book. However, I'm not that bothered myself, anything I need to know is on the internet, somewhere. As a general question, is it necessary to go? Most things I've heard about them aren't that good.

[Lunastarfish]

I attended the Daisy Foundation which is similar to hypnobirthing but otherwise I didn't attend any antenatal classes assist from a breastfeeding workshop as I'd left it too late to book the hospital ones and I want willing to she'll out for NCT.

I had my DD 3 weeks ago and I don't feel shirt changed by but attending. My friend went to the NHS ones and NCT and said she didn't learn anything she hasn't already read about. The only advantage is that she met some new friends

[bittapitta]

The NHS classes are notoriously hard to get on last-minute but keep trying if you can, they get cancellations. But that said, while I found it useful to find out how our hospital did things, ultimately I learnt more from Mumsnet and the NHS website! Honestly. And you don't even make friends on the NHS antenatal classes (unless you're lucky) - private courses like NCT foster those relationships but I didn't do those and still found lots of friends postnatally.

[Nolim]

My baby was a premie so i couldnt go to antenatal. I dont know if i missed something very important but i guess not.

[chocolatedonut]

I wouldn't stress yourself too much. I attended NHS anti-natal classes and didn't learn anything new.

[Luciferbox]

I attended the NHS classes and I didn't learn anything really. If you've read a bit you'll be fine. We had a tour of the hospital but when I went into labour I don't think it helped as I couldn't remember where to go.

[SurlyCue]

I went to them and tbh i didnt find them at all useful. Anything you could possibly want to know is available online now. Breathing techniques, relaxation, pain relief etc. and if there is anything specific you want to know you can always ring your midwife and ask. I wouldnt fret tbh.

[Unescorted]

I wasn't able to get onto any when I had my first.... explained the situation to my midwife and she made sure a note was on my file so the hospital staff knew they needed to explain everything to me. We got through fine - if anything some bits were easier because I wasn't thinking they were going to be difficult.

[Gingernut81]

Thanks for all the replies. As it happens she got in touch this afternoon apparently she'd left me a voicemail a week ago (which I didn't get) & was waiting for me to get back to her!

[WhyStannisWhy]

They're pointless.

[lovemyboo]

Honestly I found them so boring and didn't learn anything. I did attend an amazing birthing class run by a yoga teacher, my husband also came before we had DS2, made the whole labour much easier.

[mummyneedinganswers]

We were made book ours after our 20 weeks scan to insure we got in keep trying or next time your at the hospital drop in to someone who runs them