Antenatal Classes

[19annie86]

Do you actually have to go to these classes, is there anyone who when that found them beneficial or could you learn what they would tell you online

I went to a few classes with DS1. I was to invited to attend but it was completely optional. I really enjoyed going. I'm not sure if I learned anything new from the classes that I hasn't already read up on online or been told by family/friends but it was nice being around other pregnant women and sharing our experiences etc. I went to none with DS2. I was invited again but I didn't fell I needed it. Its been over 9 years since I had ds2 so I might go to a class this time round.

I'm taking them now, through NCT. It is nice to be in a small group of couples at roughly the same stage of pregnancy, and discuss what you have read / been introduced to by the course leader. Because let's face it, nobody else is going to be that interested in all the details, jargon and decisions which are whirring around in my head at the moment. It's just nice to discuss options and potential problems with birth and beyond.

There's a really good book you can buy called "so you're pregnant now what"

Yes, I'll be attending my online sessions - to be delivered by NCT.

It's only 4 hours on Zoom calls and some other content to be deliverd via WhatsApp.

I'm not sure how conducive the method will be in terms of building bonds...

Are anyone else's sessions being delivered live?

Mine are going to be via zoom, its just with work and time restrictions I don't have two hours to sit and listen to something I can read or learn online

Anything that can tell you about your local situation would be really helpful I think, I did NCT with a very open and balanced tutor (F2F though) and she was au fait and up to date with the different hospitals we were all due to use. I did the NHS ones as well and they gave a few more glimmers of info about procedures and logistics but nothing different in terms of knowledge.

The problem you've got is once you stray from the NHS website and UK published books the info you get from the internet might not be all that relevant but you wouldn't necessarily find that out until after the event. The option of discussing and asking questions within a group is really useful too (for example, about pain relief).

However plenty of women either can't or don't access antenatal classes so it's up to you. Depends how you get on with your midwife too I guess, she will be a valuable source of info specific to your hospital too