Antenatal cancelled. What now?

[B81292]

Oh and we also had a tour of the maternity unit - all I learnt was how bloody hot it was but didn't get to see rooms and stuff because they were all in use ! You can have a tour any time or at least you should be able to if you ask maternity ward

 

[Baby2sky]

I would write to your local mp. It probably wont help your wife in time but may get them thinking about reinstating classes for future mums. I do think its wrong they arent offering them anymore, and you are within your rights to complain. I hope you and your wife can get some other classes x

 

[kumber]

Like babyslog I also remember what it was like to be a ftm, it was only 16 months ago.

A fantastic book is First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins. I knew very little about babies and found it enormously helpful. I have a copy and would be very willing to post free of charge if you want it!

I fully understand your wife's nerves and worries, we've all been there and that's why we've each given you our personal advise.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that there are no obstetric doctors in the hospital the MLU is attached to. If that is in fact the case, then should your wife have any complications she will be blue lighted to the nearest hospital with obstetric doctors available. If she is that concerned, she is well within her rights to transfer to a different hospital in the Birmingham area, she does not HAVE to go to THAT hospital if she is so worried.

 

[*glow*]

hi - just to say ... I agree with kumber re that book I am reading it at the moment and passed onto my partner to read as well.

The prequel is blooming birth that one is only available on Kindle though. Both very good (better than nct which I am doing).

I got transferred with one of my children as there was no docs at the midwife led unit. It was honestly fine, I did hypnobirthing cds before and recommend that too.

writing to your mp is always a good idea if you feel strongly. I feel maternity services are at breaking point as well but they are not alone. They are probably saving money on classes to fund a nurse or more operations. I don't know enough about it to make an informed post to be honest but hopefully you will get a response from your MP.

Good luck. xx

 

[Bonfire Bride]

Like babyslog I also remember what it was like to be a ftm, it was only 16 months ago.

A fantastic book is First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins. I knew very little about babies and found it enormously helpful. I have a copy and would be very willing to post free of charge if you want it!

I fully understand your wife's nerves and worries, we've all been there and that's why we've each given you our personal advise.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that there are no obstetric doctors in the hospital the MLU is attached to. If that is in fact the case, then should your wife have any complications she will be blue lighted to the nearest hospital with obstetric doctors available. If she is that concerned, she is well within her rights to transfer to a different hospital in the Birmingham area, she does not HAVE to go to THAT hospital if she is so worried.

My local MLU has no doctors and is within a recently built hospital. Ridiculous! I was hoping to labour there with my first but had to be induced at a different hospital as no doctors available.

I didnt find my parenting lessons useful...mainly we talking about optimum baby positioning for birth, breastfeeding (didnt focus on difficulties though), bathing a baby etc... These things you will learn as you experience. Pay for courses if it will make you feel better.

Yes, the NHS is stretched but these courses are not Paramount. Your midwife and health worker will be a phone call away. Dont ever feel relucatnt to call them for ANY information. My baby wasn't checked for over 8 weeks after 28 weeks following a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes...I had one growth scan. Consultant told me 'I had slipped through the net' due to the clinic being too busy.



For what it's worth....toddler lessons would be far more useful

Good Luck to you both!

 

[dolly26]

Hi I am a ftm as of 10 weeks ago and honestly you learn more by forums and if you have any friends that have babies they are great for advice and they give the real truth. But babies are a learn on the job, and you can try and plan the birth you want but not necessarily what you get.

My local mlu has no doctors thankfully the main maternity hospital is 5 mins away by blue light.

 

[MrsTLC]

I never went to any antenatal classes before baby 1 and to be perfectly honest, I'd only ever met one baby in 14 years and had no clue how to look after one. I picked everything up as I went along and from online advice etc. Books were great but less specific for any issues that crop up.
If your wife is considering breast feeding, a breast feeding consultant may be worth getting in touch with, but as for the antenatal stuff, I'm not sure what you would learn from these that you wouldn't reading the nhs guidelines, forums , books etc.