Antenatal classes

[crystabell]

Hi,

I have been reading on this forum and on the internet that by my stage I should be either booking or having antenatal classes. Is this something that your midwife arranges for you or is it something that you would need to arrange yourself? I am halfway through my pregnancy now but didn't know when the antenatal classes would start. Any advice would be brilliant [/quote]

 

[Kylie1007]

My midwife mentioned them from the start when she told me about the midwifery team down here. We have just done our 4 weeks worth during September, every Weds night so from 28 weeks pg I guess. Ours were run by Sure Start with a midwife taking the 1st 3 classes and the 4th was led by our HV. We also got sent an invite through the post but I don't know if that was because we had expressed an interest or if it's just something they send out to all the mums to be.

 

[trixipaws]

is antenatal class the same as parentcraft? (i get confused sometimes lol!)

i didnt go to them until i was 35 weeks pg!

 

[Kylie1007]

Yes Trixipaws

 

[sunnyday]

Your midwife should give you details, but you can opt out of the NHS ones and go for NCT (http://www.nct.org.uk/local/classes) or similar. You have to get booked up in advance so I would talk to your midwife asap...

 

[Kylie1007]

To be honest I had really low expectations of the Sure Start ones but it was fine. There were 5 couples and over the weeks the mw talked about recognising the signs of labour, what happens during and after birth, pain relief, we had the nappy rep in and we met our health visitor. Also found out that we can borrow the TENS machines for free from Sure Start and if they have your size, they also provide nursing bras for free.

 

[crystabell]

Thanks for all of the replies, I am going to try and see my midwife tomorrow as I am not feeling too good and I will see if she can let me know when I can start them. The center she is based at is a Sure Start one so she should be able to let me know if they do them there

 

[Kylie1007]

The center she is based at is a Sure Start one so she should be able to let me know if they do them there

They seem a really good organisation. Also can give details on mother / baby classes and aquanatal etc. The lady that runs our SS centre does baby massage too.

 

[crystabell]

That sounds great I will have to ask her about the different classes that they do there. Will help fill my time when I go on Maternity leave lol and get me prepared for the birth. I just hope I can get hold of her tomorrow as its usuall difficult to get through to a midwife on the phone!