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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 are they worth it?

25 replies

EnjoyItAll · 15/05/2019 20:15

I have been looking into antenatal classes and hypnobirthing and wanted some opinions on whether it was worth going to the classes? I have seen online ones mentioned quite a bit on here which are much cheaper so any recommendations or thoughts on them are also welcome!

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Sandrine1982 · 16/05/2019 09:09

Following as I've been asking myself the same question!

HoustonBess · 16/05/2019 09:22

It depends! They vary a lot.

Things like Nct are good but you could get the same info from a book if you tried. However anything where you're in a group over a time can be very useful as a support group (if you hit it off!)

Hypnobirthing is often a rip off when £300 or so for a course, positive birth company online one is good and much cheaper.

Pregnancy yoga is good for meeting people and preparing for birth/addressing aches and pains.

HoustonBess · 16/05/2019 09:23

Also a group where you go together with DP can be good to get him involved and engaged, it often tends to be the woman who does all the prep/research and the man hides his head in the sand a bit!

moomin11 · 16/05/2019 09:26

I did NCT more to make friends with other parents than anything else, my friends mostly had older children. Four of us are still good friends almost 5 years later. The breastfeeding stuff they did was really helpful but I wished they did more on intervention as 7 out of 8 of us needed it. Also more info about your body post birth would have been good. Only went to one class at the hospital which was an active birth one, it was really good.

BooseysMom · 16/05/2019 09:29

I couldn't afford the NCT ones so booked up for the children's centre course which I think was free or a very small fee anyway and have to say it was brilliant. Really useful and practical and realistic too. Good luck OP x

Hollowvictory · 16/05/2019 09:30

The nhs free o es, yes definitely go to those.

Sicario · 16/05/2019 09:33

NCT if you can. Met some lovely people and made friends at a time when you really need it.

happymummy12345 · 16/05/2019 09:38

Personally I hate anything like that and I didn't need them so I didn't bother.

Original poster

EnjoyItAll · 16/05/2019 09:56

Thank you! My dh works for emergency services so it’s unlikely he would be able to attend many sessions which is another reason I’m questioning whether to do them as they all seem to charge a couple rate I have looked at aquanatal and pregnancy yoga which I am considering trying as well to meet people and help my fitness. I can’t find any information on children centre courses in my area so will ask at my next midwife appointment! I have a few weeks to decide so it’s good to get thoughts and opinions from people that have tried them!

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Merrow · 16/05/2019 10:01

I think as long as you accept your spending the money to buy friends they’re really worthwhile. And friends might even be too strong a word - the maternity equivalent of work colleagues. I can’t say I’ve made life long friends, but when our baby wasn’t feeding and was just falling asleep the people on the WhatsApp group were able to share things that had worked for them, and it’s nice to go to the baby classes knowing at least one other person. However if your very sociable / already have friends with babies you might find them less useful. In terms of useful knowledge learned from the classes, not so much really!

Merrow · 16/05/2019 10:02

Autocorrect decided I couldn’t use you’re, apparently!

Original poster

EnjoyItAll · 16/05/2019 10:28

Thank you @Merrow. I only have 1 friend with babies but she’s having a really tough time with her mental health so I’m keen to meet others as I don’t think it’s fair for me to rely on her but wondering if yoga or aquanatal might be better for meeting people and cheaper!

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coral13 · 16/05/2019 11:03

I'm currently half way through NCT classes and have found them amazing!! I'm actually very organised and felt really prepared but felt pushed by midwife to book into something. Although I do know kept of the information already, there is always something each week I didn't know and lots of helpful tips. The rest of our group is lovely too. The sessions are always fun and I look forward to them each week.

Aimily · 16/05/2019 11:09

Hi, I think it depends how socialible you want to be as to what you do.

I'm currently doing yogabellies and am really enjoying it, but I haven't developed any friendships as such just enough to smile and say hi if I see anyone about.

I also start my NHS antenatel classes on 6th June, no idea what to expect...

Personally I went with an interest, so the yoga and followed my midwifes advise with the NHS classes. But it's what suits you and your lifestyle imo.

Newyearsameoldshit · 16/05/2019 11:09

I did the general anti natal, active birth and breastfeeding classes offered at my NHS hospital - all good and informative.

I couldn't afford NCT classes but did do anti natal yoga through them and attended some bump and baby coffee mornings to make friends.

Hollowvictory · 16/05/2019 11:10

I also recommend the post natal classes that the health visitors run, these are great for getting to know people and I found them very useful

Mamabear12 · 16/05/2019 11:14

I have to say, if you can afford it, do the classes. I did NCT and it was helpful and so good to meet other pregnant women and have the early support. However, unfortunately did not make any long term friends, as we all ended up moving away from the area. But others I know are still close with their NCT group.

openscanofworms · 17/05/2019 14:43

Definitely look at NCT. I loved my classes and am still in touch with the mums. I think you can get discounts.

Original poster

EnjoyItAll · 17/05/2019 17:24

Thank you all for sharing your experience of them. I’ve seen they are advised to be taken around 30w on wards so still a bit of time to go before I need to commit but will look more into what’s available in the area and speak to my midwife about any classes at the children’s centre I meet her at

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Frankola · 17/05/2019 20:02

I went to the ones run in the hospital I gave birth in. They were free and a godsend as they helped me understand the different stages of labour etc so i at least felt a bit more mentally prepared

mycatisblack · 17/05/2019 20:12

I have kept in touch with my NCT friends despite moving to another country. The classes were ok but don't expect any antenatal class to adequately prepare you for childbirth. I was induced and it was hardly touched on during the class.
Just view them as a great way to make new friends who are experiencing birth to toddlerhood around the same time as you and can offer tea and sympathy when it becomes exhausting. Although if you already have lots of family support, you might not really need them.
I suffered from occasional migraines and the other mums looked after DS when I was having a particularly awful head, throwing up etc. In return, I looked after theirs when they were sleep deprived to give them a break.
I did try the free postnatal classes that covered basic first aid and other stuff. They were quite practical but I didn't make any real friends there.

Summerlovin24 · 18/05/2019 00:09

17 years on we are great friends . Went through the journey together.

Samind · 18/05/2019 00:13

I couldn't seem to manage to get the time off work as I'd needed to leave earlier than intended but j really wish I'd gone.

Rubberduckies · 18/05/2019 08:52

I couldn't justify the cost of NCT or a face to face hypnobirthing course. I bought the positive birth company online hypnobirthing pack which covers the important stuff and I've been going to pregnancy yoga to meet people. I plan to do the odd baby group once he or she are here.

Original poster

EnjoyItAll · 18/05/2019 11:28

I’ve sent an enquiry off to aquanatal classes near me as there are 3 providers so going to work out which one is more cost effective! I can’t seem to find a reasonable priced pregnancy yoga class so the hunt is still on for that and I will be looking more into the online positive birthing company as I can try all those early and if they don’t work for me still have time to sign up to an nct class. I would rather save the money if I can as the overwhelming consensus seems to be it’s more a social thing than actually helping you with childbirth and hopefully I can get the social side through these other groups

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