8 tips to help you pick an antenatal course

It can be a challenge to pick your antenatal course. Whether that's because there's so many different options and ways to learn or you're not even sure where to start!

Preparing to meet your baby is a big deal. Preparing for birth can seem scary and overwhelming. As a hypnobirthing teacher I speak to birth teams at all different stages of their journey to parenthood. Whether you are a new parent, seasoned pro or something in between then this will still be one of the first decisions you'll be faced with for your new baby.

There is no right answer and what is right for one person is entirely different for another - we are all unique and so are our births. I have prepared my top tips for picking your antenatal course - hopefully this will help guide you towards what feels right for you.

How to pick an antenatal course

1. Work out your priorities - why are you doing an antenatal course and how do you feel about birth at the moment? How do you want to feel when you've finished your birth preparation course? We often don't think about this aspect when we are shopping around so do sit down and take 5 mins. most courses will provide similar content from a technical point of view but the game changer will be how it makes you feel. What's the transformation you want to see?

2. Find out about the teacher/facilitator - are they your sort of person? Do they make you feel comfortable and at ease? You won't get as much out of your antenatal course if you don't feel comfortable asking the 'silly questions'...or talking about gooches! This is an intimate part of your journey in life - so ideally you need to trust and respect the person who is guiding you through it. if you can't meet them in person then check out their socials and particularly any videos they have to get a sense of who they are.

3. Practicalities - does the way the course is delivered work for you and your life? Where are the courses held - can you get there easily and have the right mode of transport? Ideally you don't want to be stressed or rushing. Does the space seem comfortable - not too hot or cold? (no you're not being extra you're a pregnant person and very sensitive to these things!) You will also need to consider the length of the course and how many weeks gestation you are. Will the available courses mean that you might not complete it in time? If you're later on in your pregnancy then do look into options for condensed courses which many providers will offer for just this situation. If you are going to be taking a hypnobirthing course then the earlier you start the better (I recommend from 20 weeks).

4. Learning styles - How do you learn best? Does an online pre-recorded course work better for your learning style and to be able to do it in your own time? Do you want to be able to ask questions? Do you want interaction?

5. Continued care - How will the course support you as your pregnancy progresses? More often than not there will be ups and downs along the journey of your pregnancy - for example testing for gestational diabetes, scans, measurements, changes in your birthing place options. Can the antenatal course provider support you with this? Is there an ability to ask for support outside of the sessions to get further information?

6. Teamwork - What's in it for the birth partner? Often left forgotten birth partners are pivotal to a positive birth experience - something I've talked about a lot on my socials. If you have a birth partner ideally you will want your antenatal course to speak to the both of you - as a team - and really give them the skills to guide you both into parenthood with confidence.

7. Testamonials and reviews - have a read - do these reflect how you want to feel following a course?

8. Cost - this always used to be my starting point for everything until I realised how much my emotions came into so many big life decisions. There is a reason I have left this item to the last. Often this is the first big cost you incur on becoming a parent.

For some, spending 100's on a birth prep course will just not be affordable - and that's why it is so brilliant that there are a huge range of online pre-recorded options available either for free or at a fraction of the cost. Please know that if this is you then there are lots of great resources available online that can help and do make use of free taster sessions and anything your local Trust may offer -as well as all the awesome socials out there.

Do think carefully about the decision to attend a full antenatal course - we live in a society where it is perfectly acceptable to spend over a thousand pounds on a travel system for our unborn baby but to spend the same on birth preparation may be deemed less so! Most full antenatal courses are a similar cost - there may only be £30-£60 difference in the courses that are on offer to you in your short list, it could me more. Use my tips above to help you weigh up those options. The more bespoke course you are getting the more value you may get from the experience. Like everything in birth and parenting - what is right for you is unique and your decision - regardless of what is right for others.

So where does this leave you?

Whatever you decide there is no wrong decision. Trust that you will weigh up the pros and cons and go with your gut! This is such an exciting time for you - taking the time out to connect with your baby and prepare for life as a parent is so valuable.

Check out my hypnobirthing courses here. I teach antenatal courses in Weston super mare, north Somerset and the surrounding areas as well as online.