antenatal classes

[jco]

I wondered if any other mums thought that the information that is received in antenatal classes does not really prepare you for the reality of being a mother

How can it? You can't understand until you do it.

I think they are good for giving you the basic info and knowledge, but every baby and mother is different and you just sort of muddle through somehow those first few weeks with a vague idea of what you should be doing!!

I must admit I didn't get anything out of them but I know others who found thm great.

yes, I found it too focussed on the mechanics of the birth, rather than on basics of babycare afterwards.

I loved our classes. They were 6 weeks long, one night a week. And was a great basic cover of bathing, feeding, car seat installation etc etc - all of which was useful for a first time mum and dad, but we're still muddling through!

jco, the antenatal classes we did were a waste of time in the sense that I didn't learn a thing I hadn't got from a book. I agree that you can't really learn what being a mother is about, but it would have been really helpful to have learned 'parentcraft' - how to change a nappy, bath a baby, hold a baby, look after yourself post-natally etc - not to mention advice on breastfeeding! The birth is just one day (or three in the case of me with dd1!) but being a mum to a new baby is a full-time job for months.

Perhaps you ladies can answer a general question for me? Just wondered what they actually do/discuss at the ante-natal classes? Mine start next week for three weeks, a two hour class a week, so mine are not very long? My DP isn't that keen on going along as someone told him they are a waste of time, but I have been told that if I don't go I won't get the labour ward tour and all that?

Informal Antenatal classes in Southgate N14

Hi all

This is my first message! I have struggled to find an evening Antenatal class in our area and would love to meet up with other expectant mums b4 our babies are due. Is anyone else due late Feb/early Mar who would like to meet informally once a week for support, chats etc?

Give me a shout if you do.

Thanks

Jacquieline

jco - know this is ages ago, but I agree so much that my response was to set up an antenatal class the focus on which is the whole "becoming a mum" thing. Anybody interested in commnting on the concept (I am NOT doing this to advertise - just to see if there are other like minded persons out there) can go to lifebeyondpregnancy.googlepages.com/ to see more!

Hello Jacquieline, welcome to MN!

I think you'd do better starting a new thread with a title specific to your message so more people will find it, rather than posting on a thread more than two years old...