Posted on: 10th March 2026 in News by Sally Seddon

When Should I Book an Antenatal Class?

A common question we often hear from expectant parents is: “When should I book an antenatal class?”

Pregnancy can feel like a long journey at first, but many parents are surprised by how quickly the weeks pass. Booking your antenatal classes at the right time helps ensure you feel prepared, informed, and confident before your baby arrives.

The Best Time to Book an Antenatal Class

We recommend booking your classes anytime from 24 weeks of pregnancy onwards, with the optimal time being when classes start around 28-32 weeks of your pregnancy. Our courses are held over 5 weeks and are designed to be completed when you are in your third trimester of pregnancy, usually finishing a few weeks before your due date. This timing allows you to learn important information about labour, birth, and newborn care and for it to still be fresh in your mind when your little one appears!

Why Booking Early is a Good Idea

There are several benefits to booking your antenatal classes early in pregnancy:

1. Our courses can fill up quickly

Booking early secures your space. We purposely keep our class sizes small, taking up to a maximum of 10 pairings, to allow time and space for everyone to have opportunity to ask all the questions they need to. We also find large class sizes make it harder to forge friendships so we offer smaller class sizes to encourage time to chat and really start to get to know one another during the course. It’s another reason we do not offer ‘express’ antenatal sessions, as these may be useful for information gathering, but they do not foster the relationships that we know are so important to building your support network as you become parents.

2. You’ll have more choice of dates

Booking early means you can choose a course that fits around work, appointments, and other commitments you may have. Life is busy!

3. It gives you time to prepare

Learning about labour, birth, and early parenting ahead of time can help reduce anxiety and make you feel more confident.

4. You can connect with other parents

Many parents form lasting friendships through our antenatal classes, which can provide a valuable support network once your baby arrives.

When Do Antenatal Classes Usually Take Place?

If possible, it works best if you can book on to a course that finishes around the time you are 37 weeks pregnant.

This timing works well because:

  • Your baby could arrive anytime after this stage

  • The information is still fresh in your mind

  • You have time to ask questions and think about your birth preferences

If you are expecting twins or have a ‘high-risk’ pregnancy, your healthcare professional may recommend attending classes slightly earlier. Please contact us and we can advise which course will suit you best.

What Do Antenatal Classes Cover?

Our antenatal classes are run by Fedant registered antenatal educators who have worked previously in the NHS as midwives and health visitors, and are also parents themselves and remember what it is like! Our group antenatal course will help prepare you and your birth partner for many aspects of pregnancy and early parenthood.

Topics include:

  • Understanding the stages of labour

  • All modes of birth, including vaginal, assisted birth and caesarean birth

  • Pain relief options during birth

  • Breathing and relaxation techniques

  • How partners can support during labour

  • Feeding your baby

  • Newborn care and early parenting

  • Postnatal recovery and emotional wellbeing

The goal is to help parents feel confident, informed, and supported as they approach birth and life with a newborn.

Can My Partner Attend Antenatal Classes?

Yes – absolutely! We actively encourage your partner to join you at the classes. If you do not have a partner or they cannot attend some of the sessions, you are very welcome to bring along a friend, family member, or birth supporter.

Having your partner/birth supporter involved means they can:

  • understand the birth process

  • learn how to support you during labour

  • feel more confident about caring for your baby

Many people find attending together with their partner or birth supporter helps them feel more prepared as a team.

What If I Haven’t Booked Yet?

If you are already further along in pregnancy and haven’t booked a class yet, don’t worry. Please contact us and we can see if there is still space left. If the group classes are full we also offer:

  • private sessions

  • online classes

These options can still give you the knowledge and reassurance you need before your baby arrives. We also run a weekly coffee morning at Leek Wootton Village Hall (CV35 7RB) every Wednesday morning between 10-12 which is open to all new and expectant parents . Coffee morning is a great way to seek advice and support from the team and to meet other local parents who are at a similar stage in life to you. So attending coffee morning, alongside a private antenatal class is also an option for those who don’t wish or are unable to attend the group courses

Final Thoughts

Booking an antenatal class with Bump2baby Reality is one of the best ways to prepare for birth and early parenthood. Ideally, aim to book your course around 28-32 weeks of pregnancy so you have time to attend classes before your baby arrives.

We offer supportive, friendly antenatal classes that are non-judgemental and discuss all the different birthing and feeding options available to you. Our aim is to care, prepare and support you as you become a parent. We encourage small class sizes to help you to form friendships with other people at a similar stage in life to you, so that you start your parenting journey feeling informed and supported.

Book now or contact us at sally@bump2babyreality.co.uk if you have any questions, we are always happy to help.