Ready Steady Baby!

Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes (parent education classes) help you prepare for being a parent and give you the chance to meet other mums and partners. They're a great opportunity for dads and partners to get involved too.

What happens at antenatal classes

At your antenatal class you'll learn about:

your health in pregnancy, with advice on diet and how to cope with minor health issues
preparing a birth plan
what to expect in later pregnancy, such as the early signs of labour
exercises for before, during and after labour
what to expect during labour and birth and your choice of pain relief
relaxation and breathing exercises to help you cope with labour and birth
possible issues during labour and procedures such as caesarean section
the impact of pregnancy on relationships
feeding and caring for your baby
bonding with your baby

Special classes

Some classes are for women only, others are for couples. Some are designed for different groups, such as:

young parents
mums from the same ethnic groups
partners and dads

If you’re in a same-sex relationship and are the non-birth mother, you have a right to go to antenatal classes for fathers and partners.

How to book antenatal classes

Ask your midwife what antenatal classes are available in your area and for help to decide which class is best for you. They will also be able to give you information on how to book. You can also look on the internet for websites with more information about classes in your area.

You should book your classes early so that you get a place in a class that suits you.

Where these classes are held

NHS classes are free and are usually run by midwives or obstetric physiotherapists.

These can include:

hypnobirthing
relaxation
physiotherapy

Non-NHS classes are available too, but you may need to pay for these.

How often they're held

NHS antenatal classes usually run in 2 to 6 sessions towards the end of your pregnancy.

Some areas run early classes where you can find out more about:

Why you should attend

Classes can give you and your partner or birth partner a chance to ask questions and prepare for things that may happen during labour, birth and afterwards. You can practice some techniques together too, such as breathing exercises.

If your partner can’t get to all the classes, they may like to go to one or two.

If you don’t have a partner, you can go with whoever will be supporting you at the birth. This could be a friend or relative, or you can go on your own.