to expect my antental teacher to be a bit more, well, polished?

[TeaDr1nker]

I would like to have a little rant, only because there is now where else for me to let off steam.

For one reason or another me and DP are having private antenatal classes, at much cost, but we felt it was worth it.

So the class has started and we went with someone who i thought would be good, she is a midwife who also teaches classes on the side.

My anxt is that she didn't set out a plan and spent the lesson with her file on her lap, literally reading it out to me. I just feel that, well, given the amount the course is costing, she wasn't very polished. I would have expected her to discuss what was going to be covered in the course initially, and she had hand written posters, could they not have been done on a computer. I just felt a bit dissapointed after she left and thought i could have got that infomation from a book

Thats all.

TeaDr1nker

[thelady]

Sorry you're so disappointed. Our NHS antenatal classes are pretty pants - ladies only, and a lot of info which I believe is either out-of-date or just plain wronge.

I've signed up for NCT classes 60 miles away (there's nothing closer) and after the first one am very happy. Informal, chatty group of 16 people plus teacher, and mostly just using flipcharts with a few bought posters with pictures.

Remember that doing anything bigger than A4 on a computer requires a specialist printer, and she simply may not have the facilities.

Hope things improve - is it just the two of you, or a group class?

[TeaDr1nker]

Yes, it is just the two of us - hence the expense. NCT was full

I hope it improves...

I do understand that posters cost money, and yes she also has the cost of petrol to and from my house, incidently she doesn't live that far away, but as i said, its not cheap. Maybe she should get some laminates done professionally, i would expect her to...

Grrrrrr.....

[oatcake]

I am a midwife and am looking to branch out to antenatal teaching in my new house (I'll have a spare room). I'm thinking that although I'm more than qualified to talk about pregnancy/childbirth issues, I'd prefer to do a teaching course as I'm not a teacher.

This may be what the problem is - that she doesn't know how to facilitate?

PS how much did she charge?

[TeaDr1nker]

Oatcake, she specialises is a particualar type of antenatal course, don't want to say much more in case she reads this and recognises who i am

As for the cost, lets just say lots, the price of a buggy (not a Bugaboo though). She said that the course is roughly 12 hours long in total, split over three or four sessions.

[WinkyWinkola]

That's not teaching, TeaDr1nker. Anyone can read! You're paying £ for an engaging, stimulating session. You won't learn anything that way.

NCT teachers are properly trained and are encouraged to continually stimulate and be considerate to their client needs.

I'd complain. And be very clear why you're not happy.

[TeaDr1nker]

She did do a proper course - have checked out the website etc etc.

How do you say to someone, i wasn't too happy with last weeks session.

Also she is a MW at the hospital i am booked at...

[oatcake]

oh, intriguing!

Worth saying something definitely.

[somegirlsarebiggerthanothers]

I am an antenatal teacher and have never once used pre-printed laminates. They are usually far too "medical" looking and anatomical in nature which is not usually what pweople need or want to know. I usually draw things as I go, so for example I will use a flipchart and do a chart showing stages of labour - all hand drawn, but I consider it very effective and my clients have always given me good feedback. Did she ask you what you wanted to cover? A good teacher should be able to design a course and be flexible with her material so she can meet the specific needs of each individual learner. I often change my classes as I go, bring in additional exercises or take things out - I don't always have a fixed lesson plan that I stick to. However is she talking all the time or is she using active learning techniques to check that you are absorbing what she is covering? At the end of the day you are the customer so if you are not happy with the service then tell her otherwise she has no chance to improve.

[oatcake]

You say "I wasn't happy about last week's session. I felt that...." blah blah.

Believe me, most midwives are pretty thick skinned - they have to be!

Hence me looking to leave and be an educator

[TeaDr1nker]

No, she didn't ask me what i wanted to cover.

Point taken about pre-printed laminates etc. Maybe i just had high expectations

[ScottishMummy]

TeaDr1nker - poor you! as it is individual you are most certainly entitled to request your specific needs/queries are meet - be bold ask facilitator


i was also completely fleeced at a poncey paper handouts only, ooo and dodgy video cost-the-earth-lentil-munchey course. i panicked as NCT was full and NHS forgot to book me.

[thelady]

Hmm - our NCT course is £160-ish which is about what I'll be spending on the buggy....

Perhaps go along to the next class with a few specific questions, and a request to know what she plans to cover. If it doesn't match what you what/expect then at least you've a chance to get her to change.

[somegirlsarebiggerthanothers]

Is it HypnoBirthing by any chance? If so then their teachers are just taught how to teach a set course, she probably does not have the knowledge about childbirth to be flexible and branch out into other areas. Although you say she's a midwife - suspect the other poster is right, she probably thinks that being a midwife is enough to be able to teach but teaching and being a midwife are really two different skill sets.

[ScottishMummy]

somegirlsarebiggerthanothers = smashing name it rocks