Antenatal classes

[cinnamon81]

Hey ladieeees

Hope you don't mind me popping over here from TRI2 to ask for some knowledge. I'm booked in for classes with OH at maternity hosp where I'm giving birth - one for breastfeeding and one for "labour & birth".

Did anyone that went to classes actually feel like they learned anything? The main reason i'm going is so I can get a tour of the MW-led unit where I'll be having baby, but I dunno if I want to sit around with a sticky label with my name on and be bored as I've read it in a book or on pregnancyforum

 

[Sherlock]

Breastfeeding ones are meant to be good and worthwhile.

Not sure about the labour and birth bit. I am booked in to see the consultant doctor at 35 weeks who is I think going to explain that side of things to me.

I'm still not sure I am attending any, might do the breastfeeding one if I can.

 

[Kimbo]

i didnt go
to be honest when i was in labour i doubt id have remembered anything anyway!

 

[purple13]

the breastfeeding workshop i did was really informative; the antenatal classes i didn't really learn anything from, but they were good for meeting people - i don't have any friends local to me who have children, so that was my main reason for going...

 

[charliebeth]

I found them really helpful.

I took my mum to the breastfeeding class with me - she hadn't been able to breastfeed me ad gave up after 3 days, and never forgave helself. She says if she's had these classes 28 years ago she's have had no problems breastfeeding. I feel really confident that I'll be ok with breatfeeding, and if I am getting it wrong I'll know why and how to make it better instead of feeling - like a lot of women feel - like a failure or a bad mum.

The parenting sessions have been good too, got my last one this week. We were shown the wards and the delivery suite, and I'm glad I did because some of the machines look a little scary, like the baby resus' in the corner. I would have worried if they hadn't told me they always have one just in case. I also got loads of good tips, everything form were to get good maternity and nursing bras to actually seeing a 2 day old baby getting his first bath. My hubby got shown how to massage me so when I get really bad back pain he can (and does) help to sooth it.

Plus you do get to meet other mums n dads to be too which is great.

I would recommend them to everyone for a first baby!

 

[Krystal]

Me and OH went to the labour and birth one.

I found it brilliant TBH. I just loved the fact I was doing something to do with pregnancy cos I was a bit of a geek like that. I knew almost everything they told me but was good to hear it from proffessional and have a look around the labour ward.

I think OH got more out of it than I did in terms of learning stuff. Men are a lot more practical and they told him where to park Told him to let security know so he doesn't get charged for parking. What his role is during labour and what he should think about bringing ie snacks and drinks etc. Of course us super women would never need to be told stuff like that but I think it made him feel a lot more confident in what he should do rather than just panicking on the day

 

[Bee]

I have my classes starting on the 3rd March

I'm not overly excited about them but its something to go to and get more information.

 

[Louise_a]

i got told to book myself in for antinatal.... i did but once i was there thats when i found out that there was more than 1 class!! i wasnt told about others so couldnt go. TBH the one that i did go to didnt tell me any more than id already read up from books so im quite confident that we will be fine

 

[debecca]

I agree with the others in that there is very little NEW information in antenatal classes that you can't glean from sites like this.

However, my OH found it exceptionally useful as he's not a PF addict and has NO IDEA about most of what's going on. It was also useful from my point of view that he tried on the empathy suit so that he realised how difficult and tiring lugging all that extra weight is, and he can be nicer to me

We are on session 3 of 4 this week

 

[cinnamon81]

Thanks for replies ladies, glad to hear so many of you found the b/feeding one good, no harm going along, both classes are on a Saturday so it's better than going to the shops and spending money

 

[tots hope]

I have booked in for Antenatal classess but they aren't on until i am 39 weeks! They might not come in handy at all! Also it is only for the women and partners are not invited, I don't quite agree withthat but there is nothing i can do about it. Have funa t yours if you decide to go x x x

 

[charliebeth]

Also it is only for the women and partners are not invited

That's awful!! Do they know dads are parents too

 

[debecca]

I found them really helpful.
The parenting sessions have been good too, got my last one this week. We were shown the wards and the delivery suite, and I'm glad I did because some of the machines look a little scary, like the baby resus' in the corner. I would have worried if they hadn't told me they always have one just in case. I also got loads of good tips, everything form were to get good maternity and nursing bras to actually seeing a 2 day old baby getting his first bath. My hubby got shown how to massage me so when I get really bad back pain he can (and does) help to sooth it.

Ooh Charlie if I'd have read this post more carefully I'd have realised we were at the same "Scary Sandra" sessions!!

Have we really only got one left? I thought it was two so obviously haven't read the information correctly (no change there then).

See you tomorrow night!

 

[charliebeth]

Umm, well, I dunno. I was sure we had 4, but hubby thinks we might only get 3 coz of the holiday.

It's prob still 4. Guess we'll find out tomorrow!

See you there

 

[sunnyday]

I was very sceptical about doing the classes but we did them as OH never reads anything and I really wanted him to take on board what lies ahead. I'm really pleased we made the effort - although I didn't really learn a great deal OH did plus we also got loads of info re post natal support groups and clinics which may be useful.

I wasn't too sure how useful the BF class would be, but having read that if your OH is supportive of you BF'ing, your hugely more likely to perserve, I thought attending a 2 hour session may well help him to understand and be supportive.

I say give the classes a go, you've nothing to lose - if you go and know it all then great - but you may learn something new, make some new friends plus get further post natal info which may well be a godsend...