Can I skip paid for Antenatal Classes?

Short version - Yes, of course.

The free Antentatal Classes at your NHS Maternity Unit and closest Children's Centres are very helpful courses. Especially for letting you know about procedures and policies that they follow, what their unit/centre is like and what follow up care is offered. But should you skip a paid for Antenatal Course? Read on because that's a different question.

Not everyone can afford to pay for an Antenatal Class. And to be fair, you'll cope even if you do nothing. BUT! I really wouldn't recommend doing nothing.

People often say that expectant parents in the past didn't have antenatal classes, so why bother now?

Well expectant parents of the past had closer knit families, communities and health care teams. The birth rate was higher. It would have been more commonplace to know of others having babies and to have heard and seen more about birth and baby care throughout your life.

When I teach Antenatal Classes now, it is common that no one in the class has even held a newborn baby. This would have been unheard of years ago.

And so, the modern Antenatal Class has filled the gap left by a dwindling sense of community, greater separation of families and a lowering birth rate.

NHS Antenatal Classes in your Maternity Unit and Children's Centres are a great starting place. But what could a paid for Antenatal Class offer that's extra? It depends very much on the provider and also what your NHS classes are like (they are different for each unit).

In general, paid for classes may offer:

• A choice of online or in person and sometimes a hybrid approach. NHS provision is almost completely online now.

• A greater focus on making friends having a baby at the same time as you.

• More indepth information than is possible in the time limits of an NHS class

• Possibly more practical elements like nappy changing and bathing with dolls

• Encouragement to discuss and ask questions

• The parent's perspective rather than the Health Care Professional's Perspective

• More information for how to ensure your voice and wishes are heard and respected during pregnancy, birth and postnatally

• Follow up support and reunions

• A more personalised approach

• Some fun stuff! Like tea breaks, shared lunches, social meet ups and fun, small group learning activities

There is so much information readily available out there for pregnancy, birth and early parenting that it creates it's own issue.

What do you trust? How do you avoid overwhelm? What is important and what isn't?

A good Antenatal Class will help you sift through it all and guide you to the best and most reliable information for your needs.

So I would definitely recommend your NHS Antenatal Classes but also a good search around for paid for options in your area. Find out what is in your area, work out what your budget is, and if there's a paid for Antenatal Course that is a good fit - go for it!