Is 9 days before EDD too late to finish NCT classes?

[2ndDestiny]

Silly question really, just interested to know at what stage others have done their antenatal classes. EDD 29th Sept but nothing in my area for that month so am going with the Oct ones. I was planning to book a 14-hr intensive course finishing about 3 weeks before due date, but DH not so keen as it will take up 3 weekends in a row, and prefers the 20-hr evening course - but the final session is on 20th Sept! I think that's cutting it a bit fine... or am I worrying unnecessarily? At what stage did you do yours?

I did them quite early - finished at about 7 months pregnant but others in the class were due much earlier than me.

I don't think it matters too much, most first babies are late, and one of the main reasons people go to NCT classes is to meet friends with babies the same age. At least all the information will be fresh in your mind!

I finished seven days before due date as did one of the other girls. By then we were about as prepared as we could be and just impatient to get on with it all.

You don't want to do them too early or you won't recognise some of the stuff they talk about.

The nice thing about leaving it late is that you have a better idea where you will be and what help you will need. One husband was deployed to Iraq so the rest of us organised a rota as emergency driver. And by the time you're 38 weeks you know better whether you want a water birth etc.

Your course dates sound fine. Good luck.

Not too late at all...I finished my (NHS) classes 3 days before my elective section (DD was breach). Some ladies there on the last session were due that day!

It was good for me because the things we'd been shown re bathing baby etc were still (reasonably!!) fresh in my mind.

I finished my classes about 7 12 days before my EDD, after that it was suggested we go to the breast feeding workshop the following Monday which would have been 5 days before, but I had my DD on the sunday so missed that. I am sure 9 days before will be fine.

I had DD before my classes finished. We'd covered most stuff by then anyway. Being told about baby care stuff is all fine and good, but when faced with a real one you somehow manage to work it (or ask the MW to show you)

Your dates sound fine and others say better to have them closer to due date than many months before.

Thanks all, this is a great help Perhaps I will go for the longer evening course after all then. I think the very last class is the breastfeeding workshop anyway, so all the birth prep should be finished 2 weeks before EDD. Also on another thread someone mentioned that the longer evening courses are better for making friends, etc.