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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Free Antenatal classes?

14 replies

EmilyH91 · 15/01/2023 21:27

Does anyone know of any free online antenatal classes? My midwife told me recently that the NHS no longer offer anything since covid, and unfortunately I just can't afford the local classes near me. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

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Danikm151 · 15/01/2023 21:29

The nhs website offers loads of information. There will be videos of some classes on youtube from different nhs trusts.
It’s frustrating that your hospital doesn’t offer them as they usually include a show around of the labour ward to help ease anxiety about the unknown

OrcaBlondie · 15/01/2023 21:35

yourbabyacademy.com/uk/
I have joined a couple of the baby academy free classes and found them really good (online)

Did you ask your midwife if she knows of any free classes? I think it might depend on your area but I could do 10 hours worth of free classes with UK Babies and also a free Hypnobirthing course hypnobirthmidwivesuk.com (both online)

Original poster

EmilyH91 · 15/01/2023 21:45

Thankyou for the help ladies, unfortunately no they didn't know of anything free they just said I'd have to pay for private classes. I might ask if I can have a look at the labor ward and see if they will at least let me have a quick look around! I'll definatley check out those resources and see what else I can find on YouTube. It is a shame, I was really hoping to be able to meet some other expecting mums!

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Glendaruel · 15/01/2023 21:55

In our area family action run children's centres that have offered free classes in conjunction with council. Might be worth asking on some of local mum Facebook groups?

If it helps, my last baby was born during lockdown, before anything went online. I was told they will make sure you know what you are doing before you leave hospital, and then midwife visits you at home.

GoldenBanana · 01/02/2023 16:24

Are you after free NHS online classes or private ones? The NHS locally to me offers online videos where midwives talk you through things. You can access them wherever you live. I'll try and link here: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/departments/maternity-services/maternity-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/online-education Hopefully that's worked! They're all available via Facebook so might be difficult if you don't have a FB account.
I teach private antenatal classes and I'm a counsellor. I'm in the process of devising my own online free course but it's a while off ready just yet, so if you're heavily pregnant now it will probably be too late for you!

Yourteaisgettingcold · 01/02/2023 16:56

I haven't been able go find any free classes that aren't online which I think is more than a shame as im a 2nd time mum so i feel a little refresher would be nice as my DS is 5 but mostly because I want to meet mums for the moral support and community aspect more than anything else.

Original poster

EmilyH91 · 01/02/2023 19:31

Thankylu @GoldenBanana ill have a look at those too :) It is a shame that the private ones are so pricey, I'd love to be able to meet some other local mums to be but I guess I'll have to hope I meet some at baby classes once the little one is here!

OP posts:

IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 01/02/2023 23:24

If you'd be willing to say your healthboard people might be able to help more ? I'm surprised they aren't offering any - ours are online on ms teams since pandemic but still offered for free!

mrsmacmc · 01/02/2023 23:57

Locally, all we are offered now 'due to COVID' is 3x 1hr TEAMS birthing sessions. They've stopped offering parent craft classes which was more what we were looking for as DH has never handled a newborn / changed a nappy / bathed a baby. They signposted us to a private company that does offer parent craft classes but they want £450!!

Twoinapod · 02/02/2023 05:29

I would highly recommend the bump to baby chapter, you do have to pay but it’s only £39 I think. It’s absolutely amazing and I would advise everyone to do it. All done online.

rebecca100 · 02/02/2023 06:41

The honest midwife has some free online courses, I did a free 2 and a half hour one last night which was brilliant. It seems the first part is free and then the second is chargeable, so the course last night was on natural Labour and birth, the second follow on is instrumental birth and induction and is £29.

rebecca100 · 02/02/2023 06:44

This is the link
www.letstalkbirthandbaby.co.uk/live-online-antenatal-classes

CrispAppleStrudels · 02/02/2023 07:36

If you are on a low income then I'm pretty sure that NCT have a process where they will either give you a big discount or subsidise the classes for you? Obviously not as helpful as a free one, but might be worth checking just in case.

Liveafr · 02/02/2023 08:17

If you plan to breastfeed, i found this one that is free:
www.hugyourbaby.org/parenting101

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