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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Antenatal classes vs online courses?

16 replies

islathepaella · 05/02/2019 13:10

Hi all

FTM here and I’m 30 + 3 today, I’ve not booked any physical antenatal classes and now I’m starting to worrying that I’m missing out. Unfortunately I’ve suffered with HG, nausea and severe constipation due to the anti sickness tablets I’m still taking. I’ve struggled with work and to be honest I’ve not really been out much because of the effects of HG. I’ve only just started to feel slightly normal but still have the bad days! So it’s not because I’m not interested etc.

I bought the Hypnobirthing course from the positive birthing company a few weeks ago, so DH and myself are planning on completing the course this weekend. I was wondering what people’s thoughts were on physical antenatal classes (NHS ones) compared to the online versions? Am I missing out on anything? Did you learn anything different in the classes?

Any info/suggestions would be great

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Celebelly · 05/02/2019 13:37

I enjoyed our NHS ones as we got information about the actual places we would be giving birth (so specifics about hospital facilities, policies, methods of induction they offer, etc.). It was also good to meet other pregnant women in the area. Ours was quite a small group, only six of us, and we have a WhatsApp group that's been really good to have.

I think they can be a bit hit and miss depending on area, but it was well worth it for us (and my partner got a lot out of it as he learns better in that kind of setting).

I did the Positive Birth Company course too, but our antenatal classes were only about childbirth for one week. The other two sessions were about stuff not covered in the online course, such as feeding and general baby care.

Original poster

islathepaella · 05/02/2019 14:07

Thank you, that was the other side of it too I guess meeting local mums to be as well. Fortunately I do have a few friends who are also pregnant (at very different stages) but our mat leave etc will over lap which will be nice.

It does sound like the NHS ones are beneficial, how many weeks were you when you attended?

OP posts:

physicskate · 05/02/2019 14:33

I think it's useful to have the opportunity to ask questions you might have from someone experienced in your area (so knows local guidance/ protocols). Some of the info will just be opinions though...

OutPinked · 05/02/2019 14:39

I’ve had four DC and never bothered. Managed to get through all four births and subsequent child rearing without it . It’s really unnecessary.

Celebelly · 05/02/2019 15:30

I think ours started around the 30 week mark, maybe slightly later.

TheArtfulScreamer · 05/02/2019 18:44

We went to one and that was enough, it was useful to have a look around the labour ward but other than that the rest of the class seemed to be more about not having an epidural and almost felt propaganda esque against epidurals.

snoopy18 · 05/02/2019 20:29

We enjoyed the NHS one at the hospital I’ll be delivering at. It was informative even though we have been reading up a lot and it was nice to have the tour and see the facilities properly and meet some of the staff etc. Great to speak to a midwife with years of experience behind her delivering the course too.

Original poster

islathepaella · 05/02/2019 21:04

Thank you everyone, it’s certainly gave me something to think about

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CleverWittyUsername · 05/02/2019 21:06

Sorry to say, but you may find it too late to book on now. In our area mums ring at 16 weeks to book and many can't get on so turn to private classes. I work with expectant mums and always recommend physical face-to-face sessions where possible as birth is such a personal thing. Online stuff can sometimes be quite impersonal if it's pre-recorded clips etc rather than a live Skype type session

physicskate · 05/02/2019 21:22

Wow! @CleverWittyUsername - I was told to ring at 28 weeks and not a day before!! Might it depend on area?

MrsMummyoftwo · 05/02/2019 21:27

I did the NCT course with my first and would definitely recommend. The tutor it the course was a bit weird, but the 8 mums in the class bonded and were still friends 4 years later. One mum actually lived 30 seconds away from me and I never realised and our children now go to ore school together. The support the group gave in the early weeks and months was amazing

CleverWittyUsername · 05/02/2019 22:00

@physicskate yes maybe, hopefully not all areas are like mine. 16 weeks is sooo early for thinking about it all, so it catches a lot of parents out unfortunately.

Original poster

islathepaella · 05/02/2019 22:12

Yeah it must be different areas one thing I’ve learnt is it’s soo varied across the UK. I noticed that with midwives checking the HB I didn’t get to hear until 24 weeks (although it was Xmas eve so it was lovely) some ladies on here have heard the HB at 16 weeks.

I spoke to my midwife at my 28 week appt about the classes and she said to just call the hospital if I wanted to attend one.

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Anothertempusername · 05/02/2019 22:18

I was told I have to wait until 36 weeks so definitely different in different places!!

Celebelly · 05/02/2019 22:25

Yeah, we didn't have to even book - we just got a letter saying where/when they were a few weeks beforehand and didn't have to confirm attendance or anything. Guess it depends how big an area they cover, etc.

Endofrelationship · 05/02/2019 22:36

The content is nothing you can't read on the internet, but I found the friendships I made invaluable, especially in those first few weeks where you aren't going to baby groups etc.

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