One day only antenatal class

[Curlyweasel]

2nd DC on way shortly (37+4). Antenatal class on Saturday - 4 hours and a whizz round the maternity ward. Now, I did weekly antenatal classes with first DC on my own (single parent) - but they were weekly and I had time afterwards to absorb what I'd just heard. Trouble is, I'm worried this class (with everything bunched together over four hours) will be a bit overwhelming for DP who is a first time dad (and me actually as there's an 8 year gap between children) and he/we might struggle. Would some of you mind sharing your experiences of one day classes? Were they ok? Was it too much?

I did it in one day on my own (only a few partners attended) and it was my first. it was more common sense and what I had learned/heard already. It is not your first ante natal class so am sure you'll be ok, as will your dp. have you a book floating about about the whole thing? give it to dp.

I think all classes (NHS) are for about 2-4 hours, never heard of one which is more than that. I've had 3 classes so far (healthy pregnancy, birth preparation and breastfeeding) on 3 different occasions. I think different hospitals do it differently and don't offer the same things. My hospital does not offer a tour of the ward for example.

If you have a book, read some articles, you should be fine.

Got him the Expectant Dad's guide and he's been reading up on the net too. I know it's different for everyone and a lot will depend on what happens on the day - it's just that I want him to have a positive experience and not feel too overwhelmed (seems like trying to eat an elephant in one sitting to me!).

Well...he would have had 9 months to prepare :) it's unrealistic to expect that he/you will learn everything you need from 1 class anyway. Classes generally just repeat what you have learnt throughout the course of the pregnancy anyway.

I think you're pretty lucky. Round here (affluent area) there are no classes unless you a a first time parent and many of the classes are women only. Additionally maternity ward tours are banned and you get (first timers only) to watch a 5 min DVD instead.

That said I did an all day class and it was great. Don't over stress it. Like most things you can only really learn "on the job".

We're prepared in the sense that we've consulted Dr Google, read everything possible, had additional support (because of my age) etc etc. I'm just trying to find out whether other parents found a one day class that covers everything as helpful (or less helpful) than hourly classes over a month or so. Did anyone forget stuff? As I say, my classes are in the dim and distant past, so I'm not being much help to DP... he's an anxious sort (he's also amazing at back massage, so at least that's one area covered!).

We did a one-day, and although it didn't teach me much (inveterate reader) DH learned a lot. In fact, all the men in the room learned lots.

Ours was more about pregnancy and birth, with next to nothing about life with a newborn. He does need to know about that too - do you know anyone with one, or can you take him through what a day with a newborn looks like (12.01-23.59)?

I think my dp learnt more from one born every minute than the classes we went to.

I certainly won't be going to any classes with my second pregnancy, I found them pretty basic and if anything they made birth sound scarier than it really was.

Thanks, Ruthless. Unfortunately, don't know anyone with a newborn and my experience was a long time ago. I just remember it being extremely lonely, DD being on the breast for what seemed like 18 hours a day, judgy midwives etc etc. Luckily, he'll be off with me for a month so we can find our way together. I'm sure it will be fine. Just curious as to whether the class is useful (not that we won't go of course).

Ikea - we've found OBEM quite useful too.

DH and I are young parents, none of our friends had children. We didn't bother attending any classes and DD is alive & well.

Personally I think it's a bit daft that people need "lessons" in how to take care of babies. If it cries it either needs feeding, winding, changing or cuddling.

The one day refresher I went to was a waste of time.....a bunch of 2nd/3rd timers trying to trump each other in who had the worst birth.

I only went as the maternity unit was newly built, so wanted to be sure I knew where to go.
I did the tour and left them all to their point scoring

It is not your first so he will be depending on your experience. A four hour course sounds better than spaced over several weeks imo. You have MN night and day and in DC1 you've a pair of young legs to fetch and carry. DP can access YouTube and the Internet for so much information and with a month off together, I really think you'll be fine.

We did the same four hours & whizz round thing, and it really didn't cover a lot. Mostly just basics on the birth itself, a passing nod at interventions like ventouse, how to bath a baby, and a quite funny bit where they got a few dads to wear a pregnancy belly then try to tie their laces etc to give them a feel of how uncomfortable it is to be 30 weeks pregnant. It didn't feel rushed at all, and to be honest didn't give us much prep for the EMCS but I think that would have been too much to expect really.

I did a one-day course, as it was all that was available. To be fair, I think you'll never remember everything, even if you do go to regular classes over a longer period of time.

I have to say that I did remember a lot from the one-day class. Certainly I knew what pain relief options were available in my hospital, and when I ended up needing an emcs, I wasn't taken aback by what seemed like 100s of people in the room, because I remembered the lego operating theatre from the class! My DH also found it useful, particularly the bits about how labour progresses. He felt that by learning that, he was more confident supporting me through it.

So I wouldn't worry. It'll be fine. Good luck with it all.