Antenatal classes

simran_2

Hi,

I would like to ask from which week do the antenatal classes start ?

Thanks.
Simran

rio

In my experience they wait until they have enough mums for the group and then arrange the meeting. I started mine about week 36 I think - my due date was a couple of weeks ahead of the other mums to be, and I remember the course was still going on when my LO was a fortnight old as it was his first proper trip out.

Justie

our NHS ones are at about week 34-35 but depends when they fill up and we've just signed up for NCT ones that are around the same time but as they're less frequent may be nearer or further from your due date. I presume that the thinking is something along the lines that if you go into labour or need intervention sooner than that then your choices would be limited anyway.

inkie

The ones that I used to run (NHS)- started at 30 weeks ish - and ran for 6 weeks - the ideal being that you want people having completed the course by 36 weeks.
From a professional point of view I feel the earlier the better and would like them to start at week 16, and run on a monthly basis. There seems to be area where epoepl arn't happy at the their NHS service for whatever reason...mmm...perhaps there's a niche in the market there for me to explore!

mum2kathryn

It depends a lot on which Health Authority you are in. Some areas/ hospitals aren't doing any at all due to lack of funds! Ask your midwife.
I'd really recommend NCT classes as they are more in-depth anyway, but they get booked up quickly. See http://www.nct.org.uk/local/classes for your nearest class.

SeptemberBaby_2

Hi, just wondering if you have a local Sure Start Children's Centre in your area? I have only just discovered mine and its fantastic. I started a course of Antental Parent Education classes last week (I'm 18 weeks) and they also run Breathing & Relaxation classes for women over 24 weeks. I have also found out about Aqua Natal classes and Ante Natal Yoga! All the activities are free.

HTH x

MJMum

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BusyLizzie_3

MJMum wrote: »

One word about the NCT - they are a very "political" organisation and have some rather rigid ideas about the "right" way to parent! (If you have had a c-section, you will not be welcome in their smug little clique, for example. And if you should choose to bottle feed, then the world might stop turning).

Not sure this is quite true or fair - I had a C-section for my twins and I didn't feel ostracised in any way by my NCT group, most of whom had drug-free home births.

Sagaris

No ante natal classes at all in my area (I used to give talks to them on car seats etc) and the if you want to join the NCT classes you have to book as soon as you get the blue line on your pregnancy test!
Surestart classes run in one small area near me, but don't even cover 5% of the eligible parents-to-be. A great shame, as you make friends for life there (well I did!) and you learn a lot about childcare, which is very important if you've not had a lot of contact with babies.
If anyone wants advice on car seats, just PM me!