Anyone else figured out antenatal classes?

[Confuzzled09]

Hi ladies,

Wow - who knew there was so much to figure out once you got pregnant!!

We haven't been given much information by our midwife and not due to see her for another 6 weeks, however a friend of ours mentioned that you need to book into antenatal classes

So wondering if you know the answers to the following?

Do the NHS put on any classes for free
IS NCT the best/most popular
Can anyone recommend anything in the Woking area?

THank you

Hi Confuzzled

I live quite near you and went to the Egham NCT class which was great - your nearest one may be the Chertsey class - look at the NCT website for more details of your upcoming classes. I was the last due to give birth in my class and the classes ended about 8 weeks before I gave birth (3 for people with the earliest due dates).

Are you planning to give birth at St Peters? There should be free NHS classes available to you as well. I also attended an NHS post-natal class.

The NHS do free classes, but what is covered varies a lot. They may not also be as good for meeting people as there might be different people at each class, whereas with NCT you get to know a group. NHS classes are apparently the way to get a hospital tour though, if that's offered in your area. No reason you shouldn't do NCT classes and then go along for the tour as well though.

Check the NCT site. Their classes book up early, whereas I think you book NHS classes after 25 weeks.

Hi, I'm 36 weeks pregnant at the moment and have had two of my four NCT classes (everyone on the course is due between 10th and 20th September). We booked our places back when we were about 16 weeks gone and were told that there weren't many spaces left. We were a bit nervous about the classes beforehand (friends warned us they can be very 'middle class' and competitive) but now I can't recommend them enough. The course leader has been brilliant, giving just the right amount of information and we've already made some good friends and had a really good laugh.

We looked into NHS classes too but our midwife said that places were tight and that we wouldn't need them if we were on NCT ones.

I know just what you mean about there being a lot to figure out when you find out your pregnant- my head is still spinning and am sure I've forgotten something really important! Good luck with all your decision making and hope you have a brilliant pregnancy.

At the hospital I'm registered at I was told to contact the Adult Education Unit at the hospital once I'd had my 20 week scan to book onto Antenatal classes. When I phoned they also offered hospital tour, breastfeeding workshop and choice of different timed Antenatal classes. This, of course, all varies by hospital / area. Ask your midwife when you should book onto an NHS course to make sure you don't miss out on NHS classes.