Antenatal classes N London

[Swizzler]

I'm due in October and have been told that there are no NCT classes planned in my area after August. An idea what other classes are available? Not keen on NCT per se, but would be nice to meet others due about the same time. I'm in the Hackney & islington area, so am hoping there'll be something...

Thanks,

Swizzler

Hi,

I am in Stoke Newington, due July. All NCT classes are booked up really early on, so you probably wouldn't get into one anyway. You can do courses at the active birth centre www.activebirthcentre.com/

Also your hospital will do "parent craft" classes or similar. I am going to the Homerton classes. Decided I would rather go to the free classes as the costs of getting all the bits we need for the baby are huge!

Good luck

Hi Nixnoo,

I'm in Stamford Hill, so will be at Homerton too. Do you have to book for these classes - my mw was rather vague. Would be interested to hear how they went. I liked the hospitalw hen I went in for my scan and blood tests, so am hoping to have my baby in the mw-led unit.

I was just given a schedule of classes run at the nearby health centre here, in Stoke Newington... you just turn up.
I know they also do evening classes at the hospital itself (Tues and Wed 18:30 - 20:30) but I think these are more crowded.
They do suggest you start your classes after your 25 week check-up, so pressumably you have another appt to go? Maybe speak to your midwife about it then?

I have only been to 1 class so far (there are 4), which was OK. I hope they do touch on massage, and birth positions etc too, will have to let you know how I have found it after my 2nd class on Wednesday.

If I had the spare cash to do a private class, I probably would!

Sorry, that probably all sounds a bit vague. Hope it helps?

I was thinking about paying for the NCT classes, but they just don't know yet if they'll be running any this year after August (i'd be going in September). We get antenatal classes in Hackny, but again I don't have any dates after April (don't think they're massively organised!). I haven't had any info about sessions at the hospital, so I'll ask my mw at my next appointment.

Thanks for the info and I hope your classes go well.

Hi, I'm in Kilburn, due in early October and had the same problem with there being no NCT classes held over summer in this area. I've booked classes with Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond www.pregnancybirthandbeyond.co.uk/ starting in August but there are some other options including PlusBaby www.plusbaby.co.uk/ and the North London Antenatal teachers www.antenatalclasses.org.uk/ (sorry it's my first post so I hope the links work okay). Hope that helps.

You can try www.birthclass.co.uk for independent antenatal classes.

Hi there - I'm in North London too and had the same problem - I was pointed to the North London Antenatal Teachers and have got fixed up there...

www.antenatalclasses.org.uk/

Really helpful and most seem to be NCT trained... I'm going to one in Finchley, but I know there were others closer to you - there was definitely one in Tottenham...

Best email quickly though... all these things get booked up really quickly. BUt they're very nice and very helpful.

BTW swizzler - are you having yours in the Homerton? Just wondered as I'm due in October too and going there...

DB
xx

hi swizzler, have you tried Bridget Baker? [email protected]
a few MNers have used her, she's very knowledgeable

OK I'm feeling desperate. No availability on NCT courses from 15 june. Dear God, I thought I was paranoid trying to book at 11 weeks...
Have emailed Bridget Baker, Sally Watson and Julie twice - no reply. Only people to reply have been Plusbaby and they are based in highgate - too far really. Does anyone hve any ideas about antenatal classes in islington Hackney or Stoke newington or failign that has anyone tried the Homerton classes??

I emailed Bridget Baker today, she was well recommended by a friend who gave birth around August last year. She came back to me with dates, did you email her at [email protected]? Think she may just check email once a day, she replied to me at 1pm so check tomorrow?

These guys run a free antenatal class (taken by a doula) on Friday mornings from 11am I think it is. Every week - just turn up for as long or as little as you like and as many weeks as you like... Paradise Park Children's Centre in Islington/Holloway

try www.thebabymoon.co.uk i think they are in north london - and run and taught by a mumsnetter!

Yes try The Baby Moon which is run and taught by Marslady!

Has anyone been on an antenatal course ran by www.pregnancybirthandbeyond.co.uk/? What did you think of it?

There's so many about, its difficult to know how to choose. My local NCT classes are all booked up. Would be great to know what people thought of the pregnancy, birth and beyond course, thanks.

Depends where you live so I don't know if this helps but I know several people who've been on the plusbaby courses (www.plusbaby.co.uk) and loved them...might be worth a try....I too had problems finding classes and due any day now so too late for me now - wish I'd heard of them before...

I went to some fantastic antinatal classes run by Jessica James in Stoke Newington. She's an ex-NCT which means she does all the vital info. I met 7 local mums through the classes and we all meet up regularly - just been through the cycle of 1st birthdays.

Jessica's classes were fantastic & prepared us for the birth as well as the first few days (if anything can actually prepare you for that!). Thouroughly recommend them to anyone.

Her email is [email protected].

Good luck

Also had a fantastic doula if anyone is interested....

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Active birth centre in Tufnell Park I think does weekend antenatal classes - friend got on one v shortly before birth of her baby.