NHS Antenatal classes / birthing classes

[Hobby2014]

I've got an application form here from the midwife for "information groups" and "active birthing classes". It doesn't tell me anything about them, just that I need to reserve my place after 20 weeks, I can apply for one or both and I'll attend nearer my due date.
What are they? Is the information one like talks / presentations and we go and listen? Are the active birthing ones where you practise breathing, pushing etc in a room full of other couples?
There's literally no information about what these cover.
I'm in Essex if that helps.
I don't really want to go to a birthing one and get myself scared. I'm not worried about birth and don't want to go and get freaked out. I know I can have ideas in my head of how I want labour to go but I know it doesn't work out like that so would rather just go with the flow and what happens, happens. Is that silly?
Thanks.

[wightjellybaby]

Im up in yorkshire and my classes were just shit no other way to describe them. I went to the 4 2hour classes I was offered they went like this

1st- spent the whole time telling us we were pregnant and that we were going to have a baby as if we hadn't noticed at 30+ weeks gone

2nd, 3rd and 4th- talked about a place thats been closed for years but used to be a birthing centre so totally irrelevant and finished off with some pictures of this place (which looked like a hospital in a war zone) and some chat about stuff they used to do nothing about how its atually done or possible complication etc.

I hope they are done better down where you are id go toall tthe classes etc your offered but dont expect muchfrom them.

[Hobby2014]

Hmm that doesn't sound very good at all! Not sure if it's a waste of time or not. Do most people go to these? How has anybody else found these? What was your experience?

[MissSlackPants84]

Everyone has tried putting me off going to antenatal classes but I figure I have nothing to lose by going

[givemeaclue]

Mine were good, midwives were excellent and most importantly made lots of good friends. Even if they are not good in your areas, still go for the friendship

[lyns31]

Hobby, I'm in east Essex and wanting to book anti-natal classes so I'm interested in this thread too. Need to chase up the midwives though as they've kind of lost contact with me :( yet they keep giving me assurances that they'll get back to me.

[emmajbxxx]

It's my first baby and I haven't been to one! Had NHS classes booked but I was too sick to go for the first 2 weeks and then felt I couldn't go late in! I know about childbirth from books and younger siblings, am 33 weeks now

[MinesAPintOfTea]

We went. They have pretty essential information IMO. You can get the info elsewhere but it was a reasonably gentle, easy way to get it.

[lyns31]

*antenatal, d'oh!

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

A good antenatal class won't make you scared of birth! I think the best weapon against fear is information and the more I learned about childbirth, the more confident and happy about it I was.

I really rated my NCT classes, I have read on here that some people have the opposite experience. At the very least, it's nice meeting parents-to-be at the same stage as you.

What do you stand to lose by giving them a go?

[squizita]

I am going to NCT and the one-day NHS ones. I have heard NHS can be very functional and NCT very emotive... so between the two I figured I'd cover all bases!

[2kidsintow]

I liked going to my classes. They were held by the midwife that was seeing me and it was a great way to meet other mothers. I made friends there and went to toddler groups after with the same people. I am still friends with them today.