antenatal classes?

[divershona]

what happens at them?

i'm starting mine on monday and im not sure what to expect and im a bit nervous

i know i shouldnt be but still

 

[LauraBee]

A girl I know started hers on Monday. Apparently, it's mostly married couples in their thirties all lying around and learning to breathe... Not to discourage you or anything
But I know you're supposed to learn relaxation and breathing techniques to help you feel more comfortable during labour.

If I'm totally honest, I'm not planning on going to any.

 

[Burchy314]

It might be to late since you are already starting your class, but you can look for classes for only teens. I don't know if there are any near you, I just know that the hospital near me offers a class that is only for teens and they can bring up to like 3 people with them (OH and parents)

 

[Sophiiie]

I went to one aimed at young mums, and I hated it. I found the midwives running it really insulting and condescending so I didn't go back to that one. I went to a normal one instead and found it quite useful, I went to one that focussed on labour and they talked us through things like positions (I had no idea about half of these ) breathing techniques, what to expect, what'd happen if we needed a c-section, and they gave us things like a list of what to make sure was in our hospital bags and things to prepare for our babies.

I went to another one that was more about what to expect after we'd given birth, so we talked about things like bathing, feeding, changing nappies, and they were really lovely and I felt a lot better after that one because they answered loads of questions that I was way too embarassed to ask.

I went with my OH to one, but he couldn't make it to the other and I thought i'd be the only one in there without a partner but there was a few others there alone, and a few that'd taken a friend or family member instead

I went to a breastfeeding class too which was really good x

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

I went along to them with my partner just before giving birth to Robyn. I was further along than most of the mums to be in there as I booked late, and yeah we were the youngest couple in there but everyone was really friendly. We chatted and laughed and just learnt all about what to expect when labour came along. What the signs are, where the baby is at each stage, what your cervix looks like at each stage, pain relief options and what is involved with each one. We also spoke about after we had the baby, about the health visitor coming, about feeding. It was very unformative, and we actually enjoyed it Definately more prepared after I had gone to them. Just go in with an open mind hun honestly it can be very helpful.

xoxox

 

[divershona]

thanks girls

my midwife is the same midwife that runs the teen antenatal classes and she is really snotty towards me and really looks down her nose at me (well it definately feels like it at my appointments) so i've decided not to go to her antenatal classes which she was not happy about when i told her today but HA! i'd rather go to one for all mummies to be than a special teen one where the midwife looks down her nose at you plus i know the midwife that runs the other classes and she is awesome ... she was a young mum (at 20) with her first so she is brilliant and genuinely understands the whole teen-pregnancy thing hehe she'd be much better running the teen antenatal classes but hey beggars can't be choosers and its good to know that other mummies get a really good midwife for their classes too

 

[~RedLily~]

I only had one that was an hour so was totally pointless. The seats where in a circle and because I got there early I got the comfy chair but then the midwife came and sat next to me so it was kind of like being at the front of the class lol I was also the only one who was on their own so felt quite awkward.

 

[amygwen]

I loved my antenatal classes. Although it was quite awkward everyone in the class was a lot older then us. Everyone introduced their husbands they were like "I'm soandso and this is my husband soandso" and I was like "My name's Amy and this is my boyfriend Alex" lameee! haha.

But we basically played games, learned about laboring, what will happen if you have a vaginal birth or if you have a c-section. Then we learned about breathing exercises and how to not think about the pain. It was really nice though, definitely beneficial!

 

[MissMamma]

we didnt get any there've been too many cuts round here recently and they're not running them anymore! i had a tour round the hospital but no breathing or anything my mw assures me i'll just know what to do...i bloody hope so!

 

[divershona]

we didnt get any there've been too many cuts round here recently and they're not running them anymore! i had a tour round the hospital but no breathing or anything my mw assures me i'll just know what to do...i bloody hope so!

eeeeek i dnt think id know what to do without the classes, but then again i've not been yet so i'm not sure how much i'll laready know from all the pregnancy books ive read hehe

 

[samface182]

oooh shona, mine were fun! we learned all about breathing, pain relief, massage and labour positions

 

[divershona]

oooh shona, mine were fun! we learned all about breathing, pain relief, massage and labour positions

were yours down at the hospital sam? or were they over in EK?