Antenatal Classes

[benotafraid]

My midwife has recommended I attend some antenatal classes and gave the number of two places in my area that do them.

I called today to find out some more and maybe book myself a place and now I'm in a dilemma!

It was recommended that I start attending these classes at around 30 weeks, however the only classes available at this time are on days that my OH and I will find it very difficult to get time off work to attend (my employer has to give me time off but his doesn't and won't).

The other sessions won't start until about 4-5 weeks before I'm due but we would have no problems attending them.

It's our first baby so my OH and I would really like both of us to be able to attend the classes but now I don't know which classes to go to!

Are there any benefits to attending the classes at 30 weeks and not at 35+ weeks?

Normally the courses run for about 6 weeks, so you run the risk that you will have your baby before you complete your course if you wait until 35+weeks. Especially if you are feeling unwell or having an complications close to the birth which cause you to miss a session or two.

Are the courses you've found NHS daytime ones? It might be worth checking out the NCT as they often run evening courses, or our branch has occasionally run compressed Saturday courses (all the material but 2 full days on a Saturday instead or 6 evenings of a couple of hours each).

Are the classes you have looked at provided by the NCT? If you have not looked into theirs it could be worth checking as they are often in the evening, they have a website. I think the best bit about the classes I attended was having my DH there. He had a really good understanding of what to expect in labour and he really helped me through. I would def advise you to do some as they do help you prepare and build your confidence. We were told on our course that 38-42 wks is classed at full term so obviously the later you leave starting the class the more chance there is that you won't have completed all of them before the baby comes. Def try to attend with your OH if you can.