Active Birth classes

These focus on exercise and yoga as preparation for birth.

Advantages

• they are very focused
• they help you prepare both physically and mentally

Disadvantages

• you have to pay
• they are not available everywhere

*Find out more about Active birth classes here.

Aquanatal classes

These are based on exercise in water. They may be run by a local midwife or by an exercise teacher who has undergone a specific course on teaching pregnant women.

Advantages

• water will help support your weight
• gentle stretching exercises make you feel good and can help keep you fit and supple for the birth

Disadvantages

• you may not want to be seen in your swimming costume, especially towards the end of the pregnancy
• availability can be patchy; check with your midwife or local swimming pool

*For more information about aquanatal classes and to find a class near you visit www.aquanatal.co.uk . For more information on aquanatal classes read our article on Buoyancy before birth.

Labour Days/Labour Weekends

These are concentrated classes held over a day or couple of days. Be prepared to work very hard to take everything in. A course over several weeks allows you time to go away and think things through from week to week and discuss them, returning to areas that you want to know more about. With a labour day/weekend this is not possible.

However, some people prefer to do it all in one day/weekend and, for others, lifestyle or lack of time means that they need to do it this way.

*Learning in luxury - two midwives offer a new-style of antenatal class.

• NHS classes
• NCT classes
• Active birth classes
• Aquanatal classes
• Labour days/labour weekends
• Finding the right class for you

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