When to start antenatal classes?

[Ginger2]

Hi everyone

I'm a first time expectant mum - due 25 Feb. I've chosen to have bubs at midwife birthing centre at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. Me and partner are keen to do antental classes but I'm finding it hard to decide when best to do them. I want to do them late enough so I can still remember what I've been told when the time comes. But I also don't want to leave it too late in case I have a premi.

So wondering whether antenatal classess are best started at around say 20 weeks or 26 weeks or 30 weeks. And at John Hunter I've got choice of doing 6X2 hr sessions, or 3X4 hr sessions, or 2X6 hr sessions. So many choices!! What worked best for you guys? I'm also thinking of doing their breastfeeding class - is that one best done after 30 weeks?

Any suggestions would be great!!

[MummaSue]

Hey Ginger,

I was recommended by my MW to do them between 24-34 weeks. So I'll be 26 weeks when I go for mine. DH and I also wanted to have them on a weekend, as we are both exhausted after work so we have booked the weekend classes.

Hope that helps!
Sue x

[FabFiona]

I did mine at 23 and 24 weeks. The classes we wanted to do were having a break, so it was either that or around 35 weeks which was too late for me. For me, that was around the right time. I was in second trimester so still had heaps of energy and wasn't so big and awkward that it was uncomfortable and that I couldn't practice the positions and move around. I don't feel that I have forgotten anything - however I am starting again to slowly read over the materials presented to refresh things.

I'm not sure as to class timing. We only had the option of two Saturdays, 9 to 5 pm. They were LONG days. I know for us we couldn't have done the 6x2 hour options due to work. We would have missed classes and been late, so weekends were the only option for us.

As for breastfeeding, I did that last week (30 weeks) again due to timetabling rather than choice. Most people there were around the same time in their pregnancy. This one wasn't as long or as focused on moving around so I think you could do it later in your pregnancy.