What week did you start/ plan to start anti-natal classes?

[lilly13]

I am wondering what week would be best to start anti-natal classes? Is it worth doing a private class, or are the NHS ones just as good? Any experiences - good or bad - would be much appreciated! Thank you

I think it was about week twenty eight I started NHS classes - tbh they upset me more than helped. The midwife was more interested in showing us epidural needles and trying to shove a plastic doll into a plastic pelvic bone - a few of us girls left white as sheets that day. We had no breathing exercises like you see in the films but there were printed sheets about this if you wanted them (how the hell does a piece of paper tell you how to breathe!). I would ask your midwife if she has an information sheet on what the sessions will contain and decide from there. BTW I had an excellent midwife at the hospital and I cant say that I used anything from the ante natal classes during labour.

i'm due 5th April, ante natal classes start 19th Jan I think. So about 27 weeks. I'm doing NCT because NHS are only in the day time round here and I'll still be working.

It cost £250 for six including the annual membership fee. BUT the membership is optional and they kind of means test the classes so you can pay less if you need to. Think its only £20 if you're v young, a student or on benefits.

Can't say how good they are myself yet but my friends have recommended them. www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/in-your-area/course-finder

I'm due on 23rd Feb, and DH and I are booked onto an NCT intense course the w/e of 15th January. We gave them my due date and they sent dates accordingly.

NHS Parentcraft classes were pointless!

at anti natal.

I'm doing NCT classes and like them - plus it seems like a really nice group of people so hopefully we'll stay friendly. Well worth the money IMO.

My classes started week 35 and go on till week 38 (I'll be 37+3 weeks at the last class), which now seems a little late, but only because I've been diagnosed with OC and so may be having the baby early. Everyone at the class is around my EDD except for 1 woman expecting twins, so it's nice to be at the same stage.

Showaddywaddy

Ante- or Anti-?
The prefix ante- means "before."
The prefix anti- means "opposing" or "against."

As you were

We have just been on a weekend NHS parenting craft class and it was brilliant, we did breathing and relaxation exercises.Tour of the unit, Birth and pain relief options, What lifes like the first few weeks with a new baby and loads of other things. I am 34 weeks pregnant and most people on the course were 30+ weeks.

I just completed my 36th week and have also just completed my NCT classes. Most people on my course were due the same month as me (Dec).

I did 6 week course with Parentcraft with dd1 in the evenings, completed at about 33 weeks. Most of it was good - tour of the unit, baby/child first aid, 30 mins with physio at end of class. Bit scaremongery re pain relief being the work of the devil but just pick the bits out you like .

Second what dummyhunter said about fab midwives at hospital, brillant help. To be fair couldn't afford NCT classes and don't get to see enough of the friends I already have