Antenatal Classes

[DreamCatcher_]

With my first DS I attended antenatal classes at my hospital specifically designed for teen parents-to-be. It was awful, the woman was patronising and spent most of her time giving out her opinion of teen parents which wasn't the highest. It really put me off and I stopped going.

This time round things are different (older, stable relationship, career, home etc). They have antenatal classes local to me and I'm considering going, as a way to escape the house during mat leave and try to make other friends/meet new people. However, the uncertainty and past negative experience has stopped me phoning as of yet.

How does everyone feel about them? Any experiences or advice?

 

[SonnyH]

I'm going to give some a go but I'm paying for them. I'm doing NCT classes. I'm not sure my local hospital offers any ..! I'm mainly going to meet other people hopefully as I don't know anyone expecting a baby at a similar-ish time to me! And my friends who have children are all back at work! I do dread the actual classes a bit as I hate being lectured too and I'm worried they might be a bit 'all natural' birth which irritates me! But we'll see!

 

[Weebles]

Previous teen mom here and while I didn't have a chance to attend any classes the first time around (I delivered early) I had a some negative experiences at the hospital due to my age when I delivered. I plan on going to classes this time around and I'm really looking forward to it. There is a stereotype against teen moms and that is all it is but I am glad I don't have to deal with the same negative reactions from other people. It's hard to get over that feeling of being a teen mom, isn't it?

 

[sarah1980]

I think teen mums are amazing! Even at 20 I could barely look after myself never mind anyone else. Hats off to all the teen mums!xxx

 

[DreamCatcher_]

The stigma never really bothered me as I was working and attending university, so anyone who socialised with me knew my situation. It was just therude bloody midwife.
I also had similar experiences in the hospital where the midwife wouldn't let me close my bed curtains during the day, for privacy on the ward, but would let the older mothers

I'm going to phone and book in the morning!