MW App Questions

[barney76]

Hi Ladies

Im a 'first timer' here, i am 32 weeks pregnant and just got back from MW appointment.

I dont know whether im being ignorant and should be asking, but at what stage should the MW be suggesting anti natal classes, or visits to the hospital? Or do i have to personally ask for these.

Sorry if i sound ignorant and i know i really should ask these questions when im in there but my mind seems to go blank!

 

[CocoaOne]

It's different in different places Hun. My MW gave me the numbers to call and book at my booking in appt (10 weeks) but I didn't call and book until I was 20 weeks. I'd call your MW and ask ASAP as it's leaving it a bit late now, especially if there's a waiting list x

 

[Susie28]

My midwife didnt say anything about antenatal classes to me, so I asked her when I was about 25 weeks. She said she didnt know about the ones that ran through the hospital I am giving birth at, but gave me the number of an antenatal class that was quite informal/talk based. I really wanted to attend the "proper" NHS antenatal classes though so I directly phoned the hospital I am giving birth at. They then arranged for me to have antenatal classes from 32 weeks pregnant. They gave me dates and sent me out appointment forms!

If you want to attend antenatal classes, I would either phone your midwife or the hospital you are due to give birth at as soon as possible, as these classes fill up really quickly, and you usually start them around 30 weeks +. Good Luck!

 

[nikkia08]

With my son i got loads of letters and sppointments offered to me by MW (was naughty and never went to them tho) but with this one there hasnt been so much as a mention of classes or parentcraft etc. Dont know if its because this isnt my first or because im in a different town now and at a different docs. Id ask at your next appointment or phone your MW about classes etc, really wish id asked now for this one. Also CocoaOne said there could be a waiting list and you want to get on it asap! x

 

[littleblonde]

ypu may find that it has been left to late. They tend to get booked early. But call your hiospital and see what they say. They didint get to go

 

[c.c]

omg ive just posted about this.... i went to my 31 week appt today and i had to ask as she hadnt mentioned it and she said i should of booked after my 20week scan and she forgot to tell me so tryed ringing to book and its completly fully booked well gutted i really wanted me and oh to go to these together especially as 1st baby xxxx

 

[muddles]

I was told by my mw to book them after my 20 week scan, and found that that was late and I was lucky to get any! The soonest I could get in is when I am 36, 37 and 38 weeks pregnant. I have visions of going in to labour whilst at one of the classes. If I was you I'd phone your maternity ward and ask about them and a hospital tour. My mw said at my last app that I could just phone and ask about a tour if i want one.

 

[Lara310809]

My midwife in the UK gave me a list of local activities I could sign up for. Since I was going to move abroad, I didn't bother. Now I'm moved, I asked the MW here and she's booked me in for a parentcraft meeting at 37 weeks, where they teach you all about breathing during labour and all that. I'm a little concerned as there was one this month that I could have gone to, and I'm conscious that if I deliver early, I won't have had any guidance at all

 

[terridee69]

My MW gave me 2 lots of dates for Antenatal classes, I was told to just turn up and there was no need to book. To be honest though I have learned more about what to expect and how to cope by being on BNB than I did going there. I have my last class tonight and hope that it will be better. Regarding hospital visits, I was told last week in my class that my hospital do tours on sundays and again just turn up..... So it's probably different in different areas.

 

[marie-louise]

I'm starting mine on the 7th April when I am 36 weeks, they run for 4 weeks and I am very aware that if bubba comes early I will have missed out!!! I booked them at 32 weeks as I was told I couldn't book them any earlier!! ridiculous!

 

[BethK]

I didn't ask but i got a letter at about 20 weeks inviting me to 4 parentcraft classes which we've now had.

We weren't too fussed as we go to NCT classes which are much better but did want the hospital tour, however it turned out that our hospital closed all the tours to stop infections getting into the ward.