When Should I Start Antenatal Classes? A Guide for Pregnant Women in Lanarkshire

20 weeks? 28 weeks? 32 weeks? Or wondering if you've left it too late? Here's when I'd recommend starting your antenatal classes.

If you’re pregnant and currently wondering: “When am I supposed to start Antenatal classes?”

• “Is 20 weeks too early?”

• “I’m already 28 weeks… Have I left it too late?”

• “Do I even need antenatal classes?”

…you’re definitely not alone

I speak to pregnant women in Lanarkshire, Glasgow Airdrie, Hamilton and the surrounding areas all the time who suddenly realise that their due date is getting closer and they haven't really thought about preparing for birth yet.

And I get it

At 20 weeks your due date can feel like it’s miles away

The suddenly your’re 28 weeks ….

The 30 weeks pregnant…

And then before you know it you’re thinking:

“Oh, I’m going to have to get this baby OUT!”

So when should you start antenatal classes?

When should I start Antenatal Classes?

There’s no magic week when you suddenly become “ready“ for antenatal classes

For my weekly antenatal classes, I generally recommend starting from around 20 weeks onwards, with many mums finding somewhere around 24–30 weeks a really useful time.

But if you’re further along than that please don’t assume you’ve missed your chance.

The most important thing is not putting it off because you’ll sort it later, just like I do every year with my tax return!

Because later has a very funny habit of arriving VERY quickly when you’re pregnant!

I’m 20 weeks pregnant - is it too early for antenatal classes?

Nope!

Around 20 weeks can be a great time to start thinking about birth preparation.

You've still got plenty of time before your baby arrives, which means you can learn about your options without feeling like you have to make every decision immediately.

You’ll have time to think about

• Your birth preferences

• Different positions and ways of moving during labour

• Breathing and relaxation

• Pain relief options

• Your birth partner's role

• Induction and interventions

• Caesarean birth

• What happens after your baby is born

And here’s something really important:

You don't have to know what kind of birth you want before you come to class.

That’s partly what classes are for.

Learning about your options means you can make informed choices rather than feeling like you should know everything already.

I’m 28 weeks pregnant - Have I left it too late?

Absolutely not.

This is actually a really common time for mums-to-be to start thinking:

“Right…. I should probably book some antenatal classes now”

At around 28 weeks, your baby’s arrival starts to become more real as your body is changing dramatically and many of us start to slow down.

You might be thinking about your hospital bag, where you'll give birth, what happens when labour starts and what your partner is actually supposed to do.

If that’s you, don’t panic!

Look at the next antenatal dates for weekly classes and couples workshops and see how the dates fit with your due dates.

If you’re not sure which class is right for you then get in touch on 07725408011, no question is too small or too silly

I'm 30–32 weeks pregnant — can I still do antenatal classes?

Yes!

Please don’t write yourself off as you are further along.

I regularly hear from mums who have left booking antenatal classes until later in pregnancy because they have been busy, weren’t sure whether they needed them or simply didn’t realise how quickly the weeks would disappear.

If you're 30+ weeks pregnant, get in touch and we can look at the next available class and whether it works for you.

Something is better than nothing

I’d much rather you came along, learned some practical skills, asked your questions and met other mums to be than decided you’ve left it too late and done nothing.

What do you actually learn at antenatal classes?

This is probably one of the biggest questions I get.

And no, it’s not just sitting in a circle talking about contractions!

My weekly antenatal classes are practical, relaxed and designed to help you understand your choices and feel more prepared for birth and those first few weeks after baby is born.

We cover topics including:

Birth and your choices

We’ll talk about your options, birth preferences and how you can make the best decisions for you during your pregnancy and birth

Movement and Positions

You’ll learn practical ways to use movement, positions and a birth ball to help you feel more comfortable and work with your body during labour. learning when and how to move and when to rest.

Breathing and Relaxations

We’ll practice breathing and relaxation techniques that you can actually use when things start getting a bit intense.

Pain Relief and Interventions

We’ll discuss different options and interventions so you’re not hearing about them for the first time when you are in hospital.

Birth Partners

Your partner isn’t there just to hold your hand and look terrified.

We’'ll talk about practical ways they can support you before, during and after labour.

Caesarean birth

Whether you are planning a vaginal birth, considering your options or having a planned C-Section we’ll cover information to help you feel ready and prepared.

After the birth

Birth isn’t the end of the story!

We’ll also talk about those first days with your baby and some of the physical and emotional change sthat can happen after birth.

I'm having a planned C-section — do I need antenatal classes?

You might be thinking: “I’m having a C-section so surely I don’t need antenatal classes?”

But there’s still plenty to prepare for.

Understanding what happens around a caesarean birth, what to expect during the hospital stay, recovery, your partner’s role and those first days with your baby can be very useful as well as the weekly relaxation pregnancy yoga to ease your pregnancy aches and pains.

You can still attend weekly classes if you are having a planned C-section and we have many mums to be on the same journey as you.

I've had a baby before — are antenatal classes still useful?

Yes!

Just because you’ve had a baby before doesn’t mean you remember everything. And every pregnancy and birth can be different.

Perhaps you are planning a different birth this time, or you want to do everything you can to improve on a previous birthing experience.

Perhaps you’ve had an induction before.

Perhaps you are having a planned C-section

Or perhaps your previous birth didn’t go as you hoped and you’d like to feel more prepared this time.

You are very welcome at my classes whether this is your first or your fifth baby.

And let’s be honest… You probably don’t remember half of what you learned last time anyway.

What will my birth partner learn in Couples workshop?

This is something many mums tell me they hadn’t really thought about before coming to class. Your partner does not need to become a birth expert. But knowing how they can actually support you can make them feel more useful and more confident too.

We’ll talk about:

• Practical support during labour

• Breathing and relaxation

• Positions and movement

• Ways they can help you feel more comfortable

• Understanding what is happening

• Supporting your choices

• What they can do before, during and after birth

Because when you are having contractions, it’s probably mot the best time for your partner to ask “So what would you like me to do?”

What if I’m, scared of giving birth?

You’re certainly not the only one. Loads of mums come to class feeling nervous, overwhemed, anxious or unsure about what is going to happen. You don’t have to pretend you’re not. My classes are friendly, relaxed and non-judgemental.

We talk about birth honestly without trying to scare you - and without pretending everything is predictable. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about your options, practise practical techniques and meet other pregnant women who are going through the same stage of life.

Sometimes hearing another mums say “I’m worried about that too!” is incredibly reassuring

Do I need a birth plan?

You don’t have to arrive at class with a perfectly written birth plan. In fact I don’t expect you to. Your plans can change and should be flexible. Your circumstances can change and that’s ok. Being prepared does not mean planning every second of your birth. It means understanding your options and having some practical tools in your wee toolbox.

Antenatal Classes in Hamilton and Airdrie, Lanarkshire

I run weekly pregnancy classes for mums to be in Hamilton and Airdrie and Couples workshops in Airdrie. My classes are suitable for first-time mums, mums who have had babies before, planned C-section mums, IVF mums, solo mums and rainbow mums.

They’re designed to be

• inclusive

• friendly

• practical

• relaxed

• honest

• Non-judgemental

And there's no expectation that you arrive knowing what you're doing. You don’t need to know what you’re doing before you come to class. That’s literally why you are coming!

Ready to feel more prepared?

If you’re pregnant in Lanarkshire and you’ve been thinking “I really should book some antenatal classes…” Then this is your wee nudge. Don’t wait until you are 32 weeks pregnant and suddenly realise you have millions of questions and not enough time.

Have a look at my upcoming weekly antenatal classes in Hamilton and Airdrie and see which dates work for you.

❤️Book your Antenatal Class

Weekly Pregnancy classes Hamilton & Airdrie, Lanarkshire

Antenatal couples workshop

If you’re not sure which class is best for you, just get in touch on 07725408011.

No question is too small

Julie x