Antenatal classes - when to begin?

[firsttimepregnanthelp]

Hi everyone, i am a FTM and clueless! I am due 30
April and want to book onto some antenatal classes. I have the option of doing them in feb or March - when do you think would be best? I think feb could be good as I would feel well prepared but bf and I are hoping to go away for a week so I’d miss one. March would be good as info would be fresh in my mind but might be cutting it fine?

I'd just do February. And then if you feel like you need to/want to you can do that course again or do a hypnobirthing one. Just make notes if you're worried about forgetting.

@Sillysoggyspanieli defo can’t do that course again - these courses aren’t cheap! I’m finding it all so stressful

Have a look at some of the online ones. Suffolk Babies did a really good one - the antenatal one was free and hypnobirthing was £25 two years ago. NCT ones are ridiculously overpriced.

@Sillysoggyspanielthanks, I will ask my midwife - have had a quick Google but haven’t been able to find any for my area. I don’t want to do NCT but was hoping to do Happy Parents Happy Baby. Do you think March would be too late?

I usually do a hypnobirthing course online at 36 weeks and I will buy one again this time. Something like 'the wise hippo' It's just breathing and mindfulness excersise to practise and lots of info. It's quite boring so I wouldn't start to early or you'll forget and won't be bothered to relearn. The online courses let you're listen to stuff so you can Re listen if you forget. The actual in-person antenatal classes are so expensive!

I think it depends on what you want to get out of the classes. I know some of them near us look at different feeding options & info, sleep options etc so if it’s that and you’d be making purchasing decisions for bottles/breastpumps as a result I’d do Feb to give you time to order anything you want to.

If it’s just for some general info & guidance on things though then March would be fine and I’d also say don’t stress too much. I didn’t do classes, totally forgot to book them, and it was absolutely fine- the midwives/health visitor tell you everything you need to know anyway and it just all sort of falls into place/comes naturally. As long as you know how to feed a baby and change a nappy you’ll bw absolutely fine!

Also to add actually, if funds are tight and you’re planning to breastfeed then my personal advice would be to not do the antenatal classes and keep the money to get a good lactation consultant once baby is here- worth their weight in gold and totally saved my breastfeeding journey with my daughter.

I've recently finished antenatal classes (bump & baby) and am due mid Feb, which feels like a long gap, but due to Christmas they weren't running a December class so I had to go a bit earlier. I also looked at happy parents happy baby, both businesses give suggested due dates to attend whichever months class, so I'd go by that as your guide. I found it helpful for practical advice but the major reason we did it was to meet people in our area having babies at a similar time (the due dates for my class span about 6 weeks, usually it woukd be 4 weeks so a little closer togsther but not loads)

They provide a lot of written jnfo too, so I'll refer back to it closer to the time but it's helped inform what we are planning to buy and a birth plan which my midwife told me to get ready now (almost 32 weeks)

@Jellybunny56i don’t know how to feed a baby and change a nappy 🙈

@Orangewillowthe bump and baby ones for my due date are already sold out even though it’s 3 months away! The March sessions say they are ideal for babies due mid April, May and June and I’m due end of April so technically it could still be appropriate, I just worry it’s a bit late

Yeah they book out early, I think I booked onto the course after my 12 week scan! Sounds like those dates should work for your due date, in the last session on my course the instructor said usually someone has had their baby by now, not in our group, but there are a few people who might be induced early so could be sooner than the first due dates

The midwives will help you with those basics honestly try not to worry! X