Ante-Natal Classes

Do Your Homework

Ante natal classes are a great way to learn about what will happen during late pregnancy, labour and birth. Choose classes that suit your needs and ideals by Sally J. Hall

As the day of your baby’s birth approaches, you may be considering ante-natal classes. Some focus on labour and birth, others have information about how to prepare for care of a small baby; some include hypnotherapy or first aid.

How do you find a course that’s right for you?

Baby School

It has become quite normal for us to choose, ante-natal classes during pregnancy. Some are offered by the hospital you will give birth in and there are recognised groups such as the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) which offer courses all around the country. What you can access may depend on where you live but it’s worth doing your homework to see what’s on offer.

It’s worth joining a local Facebook group for parents to ask which courses people found helpful – ask friends and family for recommendations, too. You may decide to take a couple of classes; for example, one on giving birth plus one on baby first aid or hypnotherapy.

Why Should I Take Ante-Natal (Parent Craft) Classes?

Knowledge is power: knowing what your choices are during labour and birth and how to make decisions if things don’t go to plan is crucial. Make sure your birth partner is up to speed to ensure your wishes are known on the day and that they attend with you.
Staying healthy: classes can help you discuss lifestyle choices such as drinking, smoking and your diet and help you make good choices during pregnancy.
Don’t panic: many of us have fears and worries that we’re too reticent to ‘bother’ the doctor with. In the more relaxed setting of a group, it’s easier to bring up things that may keep you awake at night and gain reassurance.
Make friends: classes are a great way to form a network of friends whose babies are due at the same time. Many ante-natal classmates become lifelong friends and if you’ve been a career woman up until now, it’s a great way to meet people with babies on the way who are in a similar situation to you

2When Should I Start?

Although you might be itching to get started almost as soon as you know you’re pregnant, most classes start 8-10 weeks before your due date – earlier if you are expecting twins or more or have complications that might mean early birth. But some get booked up very quickly, so make sure you start thinking and researching sooner.

How Can I Find Them?

First, speak to your Obstetrician and midwife to see if classes are offered at the clinic or hospital you usually go to for check-ups.

What Do They Cover?

Classes are usually a couple of hours long and held either during the day or evening, which is more convenient for working women. They usually include the following topics:

  • Health during pregnancy
  • Pregnancy diet
  • Labour and birth; what happens, when and why, your partner’s role
  • How to relax, breathing techniques to help you cope with contractions
  • Birth – the process, what can go wrong, the types of delivery including forceps and ventouse
  • Breastfeeding, how to establish a routine and troubleshooting
  • Caring for baby including feeding, bathing and changing
  • How to encourage a good sleeping pattern and stick to it
  • How to care for yourself physically and emotionally after the birth
  • Your emotions and mental wellbeing
  • Baby first aid – what to do in the event of an emergency

Some Of The Best

Here are examples of some classes to give you an idea of what’s available. Consider what you really want to know; find a course that answers your questions.

NCT Signature Courses

The NCT offers courses in 317 groups around the country; so finding one is easy and they offer a range of courses to suit different needs. The Essentials courses start at £70 for six two-hour sessions. The classic NCT Signature courses, which are more bespoke, range from 14 to 21 hours, starting at £175. NCT also offers other courses to help new parents including Baby First Aid, Relax and Stretch with Baby and Baby Massage.

For those who can’t attend a course, NCT provides free, evidence-based information on its website www. nct.org.uk about pregnancy, birth and the first 1,000 days as a new parent. Parents who sign up to its free Pregnancy & Baby weekly email updates will be guided through each stage of their pregnancy. They also have a helpline to answers questions.

Bump And Baby Club

Offering itself as “an alternative to NCT classes,’ this independent provider offers classes around London. Courses are concise, comprehensive, unbiased and supportive, as well as affordable, sociable and fun. They cover all you need to know about pregnancy, labour and birth and the first few weeks of being a new parent. The team of teachers is made up from experienced midwives and teachers who have trained with NCT. Courses cost £230 for 10 classes. Baby first aid is included, and a few sociable touches – afternoon tea for the girls and brunch for the boys plus a reunion once the babies have arrived. Antenatal instructors are available on email for support. Book early!

Active Birth Centre

These classes focus on the fact that your body knows how to give birth and, given the right education and a relaxing environment, it can do so easily. Its ethos is ‘the empowerment of women, supported by their birth partners and attendants.’ They also cover what happens if intervention is needed, giving a good, all-round approach to childbirth. With Active Birth weekends (£350 per couple) or one day workshops (£180 per couple), there is something to suit all. Founder Janet Balaskas also teaches Hypnobirthing. There are new baby classes covering care, breastfeeding and first aid. The centre has yoga classes and a range of experienced teachers and practitioners to help you through your pregnancy. classes are a great way to form a network of friends whose babies are due at the same time. Many ante-natal classmates become lifelong friends and if you’ve been a career woman up until now, it’s a great way to meet people with babies on the way who are in a similar situation to you.

The Knowledge Antenatal Classes at The Birth Team

Many first time mums are excited and a little worried about your labour and birth. If your knowledge about these is limited and you don’t know how to care for your little one when she arrives, this is a great class for you.

The team takes you from first principles on a journey that gives you all the knowledge and confidence you need and will give you an insight into what happens during your labour and birth. Knowledge is important to having a good birthing experience. Caring for your baby and feeding her are also key parts of the classes.

The Knowledge Antenatal Class’s aim is to give you the tools and information you need to cope with labour, birth and the first days with your baby with confidence. They want to give you a happy and positive birth experience so that your baby’s birth day will be remembered as one of the best days of your life.

Focus on: Hypnobirthing

What is it? Hypnobirthing is the use of hypnotherapy during the birth of your baby. Use of relaxation and breathing techniques help you control anxiety and alleviate the fear that may stem from the birthing process. Techniques such as meditation, relaxation and visualisation are taught to you and your partner to result – hopefully – in a less painful and more comfortable birth experience.

Find a class or practitioner on our website at www.bbabymagazine. co.uk/pregnancy-resources