Women are typically advised to take in-person antenatal classes around 8-10 weeks before their due date, or 30 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you time to edit your birth plan or preferences based on what you learn, if you want to, and to make friends with couples at a similar stage of labour and birth. You can also start classes earlier, if your provider allows it, or take a private early pregnancy workshop. If you live in an area where demand is high or are curious about a particular birth method, such as waterbirth, booking and starting antenatal classes early could be wise. If you are expecting twins or other multiples, or you have a history of premature labour or are at high risk of delivering early for some other reason, you could also ask about taking antenatal classes earlier.

You should start antenatal classes when you feel psychologically and emotionally ready. Your mental health in pregnancy is important, and if you feel you don’t want to be around other expectant women for anxiety or any other reasons, you have the right to attend private classes in person or online to complete your childbirth education.

You are legally allowed reasonable time off to attend antenatal classes, provided you are the pregnant parent. The non-pregnant parent is allowed time off for antenatal classes at their employer's discretion.

Unii’s pregnancy, giving birth, newborn, breastfeeding, and antenatal classes are available at any time before, during, and after your pregnancy. Our lessons are taught by experienced NHS doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. You can take each course in its entirety or watch individual videos as you need them, as many times as you’d like.

Time-intensive antenatal courses, such as the Bradley Method, take at least 12 weeks to complete so should be started earlier, perhaps beginning in week 28.

If you want to learn hypnobirthing, which takes plenty of practice to perfect, Unii's expert Tamara Cianfini suggests you do so from 20 weeks pregnant. However, there is no standard time. You can also learn it before you are pregnant, in early pregnancy, or right up until you go into labour.

Whenever you begin antenatal classes, it’s important that your education is evidence-based, taught by experienced, accredited professionals, and comprehensive. As a Unii Plus member of unii.com, you are part of a community of lifelong learners and likeminded parents, working together to ensure their families are in the best possible health.

For more advice on taking care of yourself in pregnancy, labour, and birth, check out Unii’s Antenatal Classes, with prenatal video episodes taught by senior NHS midwives, an award-winning obstetrician and gynaecologist, and six other leading healthcare experts. Only at unii.com.

When should I start antenatal classes?