Pregnant, and wondering what you can do to help keep your body in shape? Or wanting to learn more about your baby-to-be? Look no further than our handy guide to antenatal classes and sessions aimed at expectant parents. There are loads of pregnancy classes out there for you, even when you or your partner aren’t due for a while.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler?
There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
Pregnancy Pilates
Strengthen your body, pelvic floor and core in preparation for birth and beyond. Women who have a regular Pilates habit say it can be a game-changer – and you can return to Pilates once you’re on your journey to recovery after the birth too. Look for practitioners here who specialise in antenatal and postnatal Pilates. It’s usual that they will ask you to be in your second trimester (at least 14 weeks) and have attended your first scan.
Pregnancy Yoga
Yoga is not only great for your posture, but regular meditation and breathing exercises can help when you’re in labour. There’s also evidence that practising yoga when pregnant can helo reduce anxiety and stress, as well as depression. Just make sure you follow safety guidelines and don’t lie on your back for too long, particularly once you’re past 16 weeks. Check here for antenatal classes in your area.
Baby First Aid Classes
Why not get up to speed with the latest pediatric First Aid techniques and advice? You don’t need to wait until your baby is born. Make the most of those months and weeks before your baby’s arrival by increasing your confidence. If you have existing children, it’s a great refresher and as you’ll be spending so much time around children in the future, you’ll be prepared for all kinds of situations.
Hayley of Brodie’s CPR campaign explains here how knowing First Aid and baby CPR did save her baby’s life.
NCT (National Childbirth Trust) Classes
Having a network of parents in a similar position to you is invaluable, both now and when your baby is born. Even if you have friends and relatives with children, unless you give birth at a similar time, you will find their children may be at different developmental stages from a newborn. So for friends who will also be up doing the 2am feed, go to an NCT class and start making those connections. Find your tribe!
NHS Classes
Free NHS classes are available for free to all parents-to-be, so make sure you sign up for one locally. Not only will you receive essential information about pregnancy, birth and newborns, but you might just meet that one mum or dad you connect with.
Hypnobirthing Classes
Ever heard of hypnobirthing classes? Your partner can go along too!
The idea is that hypnobirthing can help you feel calmer and more prepared, both during labour and birth. Think deep breathing techniques and relaxation, as well as some degree of self-hyposis and visualisation. Hypnobirthing aims to help reduce the need for pain relief and intervention (though of course you need to be prepared to deviate from your birth plan depending on what happens during labour).
Always look for an accredited hypnobirthing instructor or ask your midwife for a recommendation.
Why Go To Pregnancy Classes?
Aside from strengthening your body and preparing you emotionally for the birth, pregnancy classes of any kind can benefit you socially too. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. This is very true so if you don’t have friends and family living close by, finding other parents in the local area can be like a surrogate family when going through the highs and lows of parenting. This is why we at Happity do what we do, and help you find classes to suit you.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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