Ante natal classes

[pickle79]

Hello,

I'm 25 weeks now and having a little worry about ante-natal classes. I seem to remember my midwife asking if I wanted them at my booking appointment, ticking yes and moving on but I haven't seen her since then and have had a different midwife at every subsequent session.

I've been a bit pre-occupied with some health complications and a string of extra tests on me and the baby at my sessions and just realised I'm pretty far along now and have heard nothing about ante-natal classes!

A quick search on the internet suggests that NHS ones may be booked by now, but I did say yes months ago! I can't afford NCT ones because we're on such a tight budget (I'm self-employed, having a bad financial year and trying with not much luck to save for my maternity!) and they may be booked too!

I just wanted to ask if anyone else has found themselves in the same situation? Have you usually heard about ante natal classes by now? I don't see a community midwife again for a few weeks but I do have an appointment at the hospital tomorrow for an extra scan so I may see a midwife I can ask there...?

Thank you!

I was booked on to some antenatal classes last pregnancy for couples. My hubby's work commitments changed about 2 weeks before they were supposed to start. I phoned up the midwife centre and they had no problems transferring me a course for women attending without partner. I would just phone the midwife centre and see if they can help. I seem to remember being about 30wks at the start of my course.

Things do tend to get booked quickly, it's true. However, don't fret. I went to one NHS session which told me nothing I couldn't already read online or in a book on pregnancy. Your midwife will normally be able to tell you what options you have locally regarding hospital, birth centre, home etc. If you are willing to just read around a bit, honestly you will be fine. As for meeting others, I met so many people after DD was here that it didn't matter one bit. All classes will have some sort of bias according to the teacher and so I was more able to make my own decision based on what I read, kept an open mind and just made sure my DH questioned the midwife during labour if there was something not making sense. By all means chase it up but it will be fine if you have missed out x

I seem to remember that we didn't book on our NHS ones until about 30 weeks, but if you aren't sure, call your MW to find out.

Thanks eltsihT and Snowflakepie, that's put my mind at rest a bit. I'll try to chase it up and see what the case is and if all else fails, do my my own research. :) x

I haven't been able to book community midwife appointments since 16 weeks (saw the GP instead) so it just wasn't mentioned. I only found out about my local NHS classes by chance when I saw a poster in the scanning department at the hospital. I was 21 weeks and it said to aim to book by 25 weeks. I phoned them up and they gave me a few options to choose from.

However at 32 weeks I randomly got a letter provisionally booking me on a course starting in 10 days time! So you may be on their radar but they just don't let you know! I'd give them a ring and see what's available.

I also can't afford the NCT classes but thought I'd try my luck with the NHS ones. I'm not expecting to learn too much and will continue to use MN for all my many questions.

The NCT have some great sort of discounts, you should see if your suitable for them, email and ask. They are really friendly! We got ours at the full 90% discount, and it only cost us £17.40 :) It's worth looking into to.

I am 29 weeks and just got a letter telling me the dates of my NHS classes, it hasn't been mentioned since 8 weeks when I said yes, so it obviously is just the system!

Yes I think I was told to book after 30wks and they had enough available in the next 4/6 wks don't think it's been overlooked no one on my course was less then 34 wks

Hi

I run the NCT classes in Doncaster, if anyone wants any more info, then please feel free to message me

Obviously it depends on health authority, but don't assume you will hear about ante natal classes, or be automatically booked on them. No one mentioned them to me. I had to be proactive and book them myself, but unfortunately left it a bit late. The first available class is the week before I am due, so I suspect I won't be able to go.