How to Become an Antenatal Teacher: Your Guide to This Rewarding Career
One of our Antenatal Graduates Gaby @pure.perinatal leading a beautiful session for pregnant mamas
If you're considering a career as an antenatal teacher, you're looking at something that's both deeply rewarding and honestly, really needed right now. More and more parents need proper preparation for birth and early parenthood, plus an understanding of how to navigate our maternity system and that's where you come in.
What Does an Antenatal Teacher Actually Do?
An antenatal teacher helps expectant parents get ready for birth and those early weeks with baby. It's so much more than just teaching breathing techniques (though that's part of it too).
You'll be covering things like:
How pregnancy and birth actually happens, everything about the magical birthing body
All the different birth options available
Pain relief choices (the non medical and the medical options)
Birth rights - one of the most important parts of birth prep!
Baby basics - the honest stuff that no one tells parents about
Feeding choices without the judgment
Making sure everyone feels included, whatever their background
Getting partners involved properly
The best part? You're creating safe spaces where people can ask anything, and we mean anything, without feeling silly. You're helping parents feel confident instead of terrified about what's coming!
Do You Actually Need Qualifications?
You actually don’t ‘need’ any formal qualifications - as the industry isn’t regulated in the same way as it would be if it was medical. But if you want to be taken seriously (and you absolutely should) and teach safely then proper training is non-negotiable.
FEDANT Accreditation is Your Friend In the UK, look for courses accredited by FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators). This isn't just a fancy certificate, it's proof you know what you're talking about so parents can trust you with their birth preparation.
What Good Training Actually Looks Like:
Proper anatomy and physiology (not just the basics)
Evidence-based info on birth options
How to actually facilitate groups
Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity training
Business guidance
Ongoing support after you qualify
Teaching and mentoring from people who are doing the work day in and day out.
Quality programs run for months, not weekends. It's an investment, but honestly, you'll be grateful for every hour when you're standing in front of your first nervous group.
What Does the Work Actually Look Like?
Going Private: Running your own classes means total control, your content, your prices, your schedule. But you're not just teaching, you're marketing, booking venues, chasing payments, and building relationships with local providers. You are the CEO of your business, and that is exciting!
Online Teaching: This has absolutely exploded recently. You can reach people anywhere in the country, but you need to get comfortable with technology and keeping people engaged through a screen. All this we can help with.
Mix and Match: Loads of successful teachers do a bit of everything - even some NHS work, private classes, maybe some online stuff too. It is also an amazing foundation to all sorts of other perinatal work in your community depending on where your passions lie!
The Business Bit
If you go private, congratulations! You're now a small business owner! Don't panic, but do know what you’ll need at a minumum:
Public liability insurance (available at a reduced rate through FEDANT)
To keep learning and updating your skills (this is what we offer and are so passionate about)
A way to find clients (strategy and long term support included in our training)
Sensible pricing that doesn't undervalue you (here to discuss this with you)
Somewhere to hold your classes (this bit we can’t always help with but we can guide from afar!)
What Can You Earn? Private teachers typically charge £200-£400 for a full course (usually 4-6 sessions). How much you make depends on how often you run classes, how many people you get, and what your local area will pay.
Is this work right for you?
This work tends to suit people who:
Actually enjoy helping others (not just think they should)
Can handle emotional conversations about intimate stuff
Don't mind being the person everyone looks to for answers
Want flexibility in their working life
Feel genuinely passionate about birth rights and choices
Can deal with the business side if going private
Is OBSESSED with birth and wants to make a difference
Most of us come from all sorts of backgrounds, teachers, nurses, midwives, accountants, yoga teachers, its SO varied! Plenty of people making complete career changes because they want work that actually means something.
Getting Started: What to Do Next
Step 1: Do Your Homework Look at FEDANT-accredited courses properly. Compare what they cover, what support they give you afterwards.
Step 2: Check Out Your Area What antenatal classes already exist near you? Is there room for more? What are people saying they want but can't find?
Step 3: Be Honest About What You Want Do you want to teach in person or online? Are you comfortable putting yourself out there? There's no right answer, just what works for you.
Step 4: Count the Cost Good training is an investment. Factor in course fees, insurance, and getting your name out there initially. Talk to us about the actual costs, we are so happy to chat this through so you have a clear understanding of the financials involved!
Step 5: Start Building Connections Once you're qualified, start chatting to local midwives, birthing centers, and parenting groups. Relationships matter in this field.
What Your First Year Will Really Be Like
Most new teachers start small and build up gradually. You'll probably feel nervous before your first few classes - that's completely normal. Good training and ongoing support help loads with confidence.
The thing is, this work feels different. You're not just doing a job, you're genuinely making a difference to how families experience one of the biggest moments of their lives. And honestly, the flexibility appeals to loads of us, especially if you're trying to balance everything else in life!
Is This Actually Right for You?
If you're still reading and thinking "yes, this sounds like me," then maybe it is. This career attracts people who want to support others properly, feel passionate about birth choices, and want work that fits around their life rather than taking it over.
The best bit? You get to be part of families' stories. You help turn fear into confidence, confusion into clarity. And honestly, there's nothing quite like getting a message from someone saying their birth went well because they felt prepared.
Ready to find out more? Download our info pack for all the practical details about training, and what you need to consider.