Did antenatal/birthing classes help you?

[Breeelizabeth]

I wanted to ask did you ladies who have done antenatal classes previously find they helped you prepare for baby or birth?

I'm asking because my class got cancelled and the only alternative they could offer me was the class the day before I'm due. Being a FTM and a teenager I was really hoping the class would help me as I've had no experience with babies or labour, but I'm not sure if I'll really feel up to it that close to my due date, if I even last that long. In my area antenatal classes aren't offered over a few weeks they prefer to do a 8 hour class on one day. (Which is why I'm worried that I won't feel up to it.)

They said if baby comes early and I miss the class they'll give me a few extra midwives appointments to teach me some stuff (although it won't prepare me for birth) but I'm not sure if I want to book in for the class or tell them not to worry.
So did the classes benefit you?

 

[Sunseal]

I can't offer any actual help here hun as I never attended any, but in my opinion, it couldn't hurt to go to one

 

[MummyToAmberx]

My third baby and never attended any classes. I think plenty info online and rest is learn as you go. I had only turned 18 when i gave birth first time.

 

[zilla]

We never went to any.
We read the baby books before he was born, but once he was here we never looked at the books again as most of it is pretty much down to instinct!

 

[Kitters]

I got myself in to a right flap because my midwife repeatedly forgot to book me in to my classes. They were three spread over three weeks and in my area you normally have them around 28 weeks. By the time my midwife gave me any info I was 38 weeks and had missed the first class of that group so only went to the second one. I found it almost completely useless and so didn't go to the third one.

I think there's definitely no harm in getting booked in to your class, and if you're not feeling up to it on the day I'm sure they would understand you not going when you're that heavily pregnant.

If you can't make it, don't worry. Mine honestly didn't give me any more info that I didn't already know. I think in this day and age with forums like this, TV shows and documentaries about child birth, and women being so much more honest and open about their experiences with friends and family, a lot of us are quite well informed without having any prior experience with babies or pregnancy.

 

[NotNic]

I did NCT classes which are private classes here in the UK. I would say that they did help, however I could have managed without the classes. I went to one NHS class and it was dreadful so I never went to the birth prep one. Much of it really has to do with who else is on the course, and who takes the session. Everything they teach you can easily be found on the Internet but I did find our course leader reassuring for birth prep. Also they helped me make post birth decisions re delivering placenta etc. which I didn't think of before.

Do you have a young person midwife where you are? Some hospitals in my areas have specialist midwives who work primarily with teenagers and have a little more time to talk you through birth specifics.

 

[bbbbbbb811]

I went to NCT classes in the UK, and as a teenager when I had my first I couldn't say it helped at all and I didn't actually complete the course! I wouldn't say you can prepare yourself much for the birth, just be informed and have support. I wouldn't of got through without the constant rubbing of my lower back, and normally I hate being touched repeatedly! But if you feel like you need/want some more information there won't be any harm, as it's only one day

 

[dlj2]

I second what every one else has said I found mine very scare tactic of worst case scenario type info, which personally I felt was unnecessary so I didn't complete the course. This time I'm booking a private one teaching about positions, relaxation techniques etc and I'm really looking forward to it. I think do research in books/online before and go with an open mind for birth and you'll do just great.xx

 

[Gingerspice]

I went to nhs ones as they were identical to to the nct in our area - 6 sessions and same speakers!

I didn't need them to form a network of people who has babies same age as we had our own group of friends with babies established which I think they can be good for.

My bIrthlingborough went nothing like 'normal' and half the stuff talked about in the classes weren't needed or used so it was a but pointless.

 

[divineparadis]

I am attending childbirth antenatal classes now that I am in my third trimester and felt that it helped my husband more than myself because men sometimes do need to hear it from someone else. Today's class was on breathing techniques and it was something you do need someone to demonstrate to you... not really effective if you just read it from books.