Antenatal Classes - Advice Please

[CupcakesHay]

Hello

I live abroad at moment, as husband works for FCO - but we're going to have baby in Devon where my parents live.

I'm back for a month in Sept - and then early Dec (EDD 30th Jan 2011)

When do you normally go to Antenatal classes?

Do you book them yourself, or is it arranged through the midwife?

Do they cost anything?

sorry for the questions! First timer who's a bit confused .

With my first (only time i went to them), they ran for the 4 weeks in sept and i was due end of Nov so approx 30-34 weeks pregnant.

The midwife gave me the details and i rang up and booked myself on them.

These were NHS ones and were free but I know you can also do NCT ones which you pay for.

Good luck x

In your case an NCT weekend course might work out best, you would have to pay for that but you would be more likely to be able to do the full course in your time over here. My local NHS ones only run every 3 months over a 3 week period, some areas are better though so you might be lucky.

NCT courses you pay for and would need to book asap. I'm due in December and am doing an NCT course spread out over 4 weeks in November, but I know they do more intensive 2 day courses as well.

NHS courses need to be booked through the MW which might be trickier for you as presumably you're not registered at a GP or anything yet? They also need to be booked by around the 20 week mark but don't tend to fill up as much as the NCT ones (also apparently not as good in many cases).

If you're coming back for an extended period in December, you might want to think about finding some other classes, in order to get to know other Mums and babies in the area. Bumps and babies groups, ante natal yoga etc.

Of course, if you already know loads of people there, ignore me, and good luck! Oh yes, and go for the NCT weekend course. You should be able to find a contact number or email address on the NCT website.

Great - I'll have a look at the NCT course... and try adn get something booked. Thanks all of you!