What did you do antenatal class wise, second time around?

[sheeplikessleep]

Currently pregnant with dc2 and not sure whether to go or not.
Just interested what others did really ...
Thanks

[stillstanding]

I'm thinking of going to a breastfeeding workshop as I struggled with that with DS but other than that nothing really. Only other thing I considered was going to prenatal yoga in order to get some breathing tips as I didn't have a handle on that first time round but I suspect I probably won't bother.

[ourraquel]

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm moving to a new area and was hoping to use antenatal classes to find other mums, then remembered that I already know how to give birth!

Stalking pregnant women in the street it is, then...

But seriously, I've seen the NCT do 'second time around' type classes but seemingly none in North London. Those might be worth a look, though?

[meemarsgotabrandnewbump]

I didn't go because I had no one to leave DS1 with and you couldn't take toddlers.

The midwife said they were really designed for first timers, unless you have a big gap between children and want the refresher.

[Poledra]

Didn't bother at all - nobody to leave DD1 with, and she was only just 2 when DD2 was born anyway - things hadn't changed that much....

[sheeplikessleep]

I feel the same - of course would be nice to meet other mums (we still meet our antenatal lot from last time, some of whom are second time mums). I'll look into NCT, but aren't they normally very expensive?

I might look into alternatives in the area. My only thought is that I think I'm actually more worried and apprehensive this time, as I had very long and drawn out labour with ds, so I wonder if I need some ways of trying to feel more positive towards it.
Hmmmm

[Reallytired]

I did the natal hypnotheraphy class and my parents looked after my son for the weekend. It spent a lot of time helping with the breathing that I struggled with my first labour.

There seemed little point in discussing the stuff that I had covered at the nct class the first time round.

[ladyhelen2]

There was a one off session for 2nd time mums in our local area. I went just coz I was curious to see who the other women would be! The class itself was useless but I meet the other ladies about once a week for a coffee and a natter.

If there was anything I needed to know re the birth, I came on here!

[sheeplikessleep]

reallytired - that course (from a quick google) seems very good at helping to overcome fears of labour and birth (which i have!). was it worth the money for you?

[MrsJohnDeere]

Nothing at all. Not my cup of tea (and nobody to look after ds1). Gave up on classes after 2 weeks first time round.

[alana39]

Nothing 2nd time but there was only 18 months between births so was very fresh in my mind. 5 year gap this time and have just been to a hospital run refresher. If I had time and energy to go somewhere to meet other pg women would probably go for ante-natal yoga or other exercise instead tbh. Not keen on paying just to hear someone go on about breathing when I'm rubbish at taking advice anyway.

[PanicMode]

I did them because we moved and I didn't know a soul - plus I'd had a VERY long and difficult labour with DS1. I didn't really learn anything new about labour, although I did find it useful to debrief why my first had gone so horribly wrong and why I'd had so much intervention, plus I met some nice new friends locally. I guess it depends what you want to get out of them really.

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

Booked a doula for the second time. Absolutely recommend.

[Reallytired]

sheeplikessleep,

I had a lovely birth experience second time round. I have no idea how much is because of the course or me choosing a home birth, my fanastic midwife or sheer luck. Maybe second births are far easier as the mother has no pelvic floor.

The first time I gave birth I had a kid doing work experience very inexperienced midwife. She kept on running off to see her supervisor or the obstrecian. To put it mildly I was not put at ease. I am sure that being nervous made my contractions more painful.

Doing the natal hypnotheraphy helped me to stop worrying. It meant that I slept a lot better during pregnancy. When it came to labour I was far more laid back.

I suggest that you buy the CDs second hand off ebay. You can then get an idea whether this method is for you rather than spending money on a course.

[Gateau]

Nothing.
They didn't help first time round.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I'm not going to bother, they were a load of crap (other than getting to see the delivery suite) I still have a sheet somewhere with "100 natural pain relief methods" on it that they handed out. Everything from aromatherapy oils to warm baths to keeping mobile to darkened rooms and snuggling down on beanbags and kissing... lovely, I thought.

Then I got in hospital and they shoved me flat on my back, stuck an IV in my arm, gas and air in my mouth and an internal monitor up my chuff and that was that.

Fucking aromatherapy oils.

[alana39]

LOL James

[needahand]

I wanted to do a NCT refresher classes to meet other mums but the didn't have them in my ares. Instead I splased on an hypnobirthing course. Best decision I made (although I didn't make pregant friends, but eventually I moved so it didn't matter). I did meet a lovely lady through mumsnet though and a couple at antenatal aquarobics so there are not the only way to meet other mums

[jbambie]

I am doing a tour of the unit as it is a new one and just want to see what its like also doing a birth class o c-sections as i am having a planned section and want to know what to expect.apart from that doing nothing else.