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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

First baby but NHS ante natal classes fully booked!

23 replies

Mirabelle77 · 06/08/2010 12:53

Im 29 weeks with DC1 and just moved to a new area to find all ante natal classes are booked for couples , I don't want to attend the Mums only class wanted DH to come too. Feel really upset as know nothing and am worrying about labour already so classes would really have helped.

This morning I have been checking out NCT classes but none in town I live in suitable as got to go back up North to look after Mum in a couple of weeks, and the later ones end after due date. Are there any other ways to get ante natal classes that anyone knows about?

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toomuchtooyoung · 06/08/2010 13:48

I've nearly finished my set of hospital ante-natal classes and all bar one of them on my own - DH could not get time off work. The only one he attended they said would be really useful for him involved a 5 minute massage technique session at the end, nothing that was out of this world or not common sense.

I didn't really find them that useful, and certainly all the other DH"s there were frankly bored. If a mum's only class is your only option then you have nothing to lose.

There's nothing you can't learn these days that's not on youtube or in a book/internet

SagacityNell · 06/08/2010 13:55

Don't panic, you really don't need to go. We never went with DS1 and we learned as we went.

runnervt · 06/08/2010 14:05

I moved areas too at about 30 weeks with my first and had the same problem. I was really upset and worried and went to some on during the day - when they finally told me when they were! Actually I think I only got to one class and it was useless. I did go to a breastfeeding workshop that was really useful and would recommend that if you're planning on breastfeeding. For my second I went to a refresher class which just talked about labour which I found useful (ds1 was an elective section so with no classes either I had no info or experience about labour).

I did panic about no classes and it really wasn't worth it in the end!

tablefor3 · 06/08/2010 14:06

As someone said, many of the classes are not hugely useful compared with a good book or two.

You may be able to get a tour of the labour wards/birth suites at the hospital. Now that (along with instructions about where to park the car/can you get free parking etc) is useful!

Original poster

Mirabelle77 · 06/08/2010 14:47

Thank you all for your messages, made me feel better , I have booked a tour so have that sorted, and emailed about NCT classes in a nearby town in Sep so hopefully can go there. Even if they are bit rubbish would like to see for myself. That was my first post can't believe anybody answered!:)

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Original poster

Mirabelle77 · 06/08/2010 14:51

I haven't bought any books actually tablefor3 so can you recommend any , or can anyone else?

OP posts:

Tootlesmummy · 06/08/2010 14:56

I would go along even if it's on your own as to be honest as you won't learn a huge amount and nothing that you can't get from a book.

Whilst I know it isn't ideal I think you would benefit from going along if nothing else you'll get to meet some new mums who you can then stay in touch with once the babies come along.

yellowflowers · 06/08/2010 15:03

I've heard the main thing about them is to make friends at the same stage as you so def go even if your dh can't.

LetsHaveAnotherOne · 06/08/2010 15:10

I wouldn't worry - I'm on my 5th now and still haven't got to any antenatal classes. That baby's going to come out one way or another class or no class.

There's a nice book here Dr Sears The Baby Book that I find very good.

You can make friends at baby and toddler groups if you don't get a place in a class.

BabyValentine · 06/08/2010 15:11

If it makes you feel any better, our 'Parenting Classes' were a complete and utter waste of Monday evening for 4 weeks.

The most important bit is to see the hospital, and you've already sorted that. Don't fret. Mumsnet and books were far, far more enlightening than a 20 year old video of a woman giving birth...

hairymelons · 06/08/2010 15:22

'First Time Baby' by Lucy Atkins is brill, very practical, not at all patronising and allows for the fact that all babies are different.

'Your Baby and Child' by Penelope Leach is also excellent, much bigger and more comprehensive than First Time Baby so a great reference. Just not as easy to dip in and out of when sleep deprived!

They will show you how to bathe and feed your baby before you leave hospital so the absolute basics will be covered then. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about that side of things and concentrate on birth preparation. If you can find a good ante natal yoga class nearby (try your local childrens centre for cheap ones) that's a good way to prepare. There are loads of books on childbirth- I enjoyed 'Waterbirth' by Janet Balaskas and 'New Experience of Childbirth' by Sheila Kitzinger but just take a look on Amazon and see what you fancy. Then buy it cheaper on e-bay!

hairymelons · 06/08/2010 15:25

P.S. I did a hypnobirthing course with first pregnancy instead of an NCT course, if you are worried about the birth I'd really recommend it. It's also brilliant for partners as they are very involved in the course and have a big role during labour too. I've been told that the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs and courses are also v good, a bit cheaper than the Hypnobirthing I think.

websticks · 06/08/2010 15:30

I wouldn't worry, i never went to any first time round, and during labour the midwife said my breathing technic was wonderful. She said those parenting classes paid off. I then told her i had never been to any, your body just knows what to do.

You can always speak to your community midwife at your appointments if you have any worrys or concerns.

The hospital i am at does a tour of the delivery suit, maternity ward ect for people who dont want to attend classes. Does your hospital do this?

Astronaut79 · 06/08/2010 15:37

Forget the NCT, far too expensive. I toyed with idea, not thinking I'd meet any other mums I'd have anything in common with nea me (I know, I know, v snobbish - but I was also worried NCT would be too middle class, so don't know where i fit), but DH reckoned the money'd be better off spent on a pram. There were only 2 ante-natal classes by us and I missed one of those due to having to have ds's heartbeat monitored (sent dh all by himself instead!). I did read loads and loads of stuff and was kind of gutted there was only a practical exam at the end.

Met some cracking mates in babygroup/chatterbox and breast-feeding group.

One massive tip for teh birth (learnt by experience!): get dp/dh to time contractions and to tell you when to start sucking on gas and air. Tell him to count you in then, when you don't think you can take it anymore, get him to count you out again. We spent 5 happy (!) hours doing that and it really worked 'cos I was concentrating on watching/listening to him and, knowing that I was at the peak of a contraction meant I could concentrate on enjoyiong teh relief of it subsiding again.

tablefor3 · 06/08/2010 15:42

I never actually got any "baby" books, just borrowed a few from the library - my top maternity tip, by the way!

For pregnancy and birth I bought the NCT book which I felt was informative and UK-centric, unlike some.

Fibilou · 06/08/2010 15:45

We only went to 1 AN class. It was crap and a total waste of time.

All you need to know is on the internet - adn the main thing you need to know is that things are unlikely to go according to your birth plan

Astronaut79 · 06/08/2010 16:06

I think birthplans are just a way of making you feel in control. Everytime I muttered something about birthplans to midwives, they'd just look at me daft. Besides, once you're in labour all you really care about is getting the buggar out! just go in knowing what you definitely, defintely don't want and what you're prepared to compromise on. And obviously, accept that if it all goes tits up, you want what's best for the baby.

Original poster

Mirabelle77 · 06/08/2010 16:08

Thanks again all , the NCT classes are bit pricey, anyone been and found them worth it? Also as 5 miles away wont probably be many local mums to befriend. Might stick with Mum only nhs class and make a friend or two as know nobody down here , and buy a couple of good books. Just wanted to involve DH as since March he has been working away and only saw him at weekends when I was working!! So don't feel he is involved in anything to do with baby, thought me starting mat leave and moving down would mean he could be more involved. The town I live in doesn't even do pregnancy yoga its a bit of a shock as I used to live somewhere alot bigger.

OP posts:

vix206 · 06/08/2010 18:41

This is my first baby and I'm 38+5. We were told from the outset that there was no provision for antenatal classes or breastfeeding advice or anything in our area (Leicestershire). Didn't fancy NCT classes either and as I'm an avid reader I have done all my learning via books, the internet and mumsnet!

I would really echo what others have said and just say don't worry about it. Obviously I haven't had the baby yet so I can't say whether I feel I needed classes in how to cope with birth/look after a newborn etc. but I can say that I feel totally prepared and ready for all of it :)

kelly2525 · 06/08/2010 19:12

Its nice to read the comments about these classes, im 17 weeks with first and last baby, i knew right away that i didnt want to go to them, but i thought i was being ignorant/selfish, i just figure that i already know the basics, this baby is gonna come out, either through the front door or the sunroof, its gonna hurt, it may take a long time, it may not, i may need intervention i may not and theres bugger all i can do about it except trust the doctors and the midwives who know more about it than me, and im giving birth alone since dear sweet supportive partner dropped his arse and buggered off, i certainly dont want anyone else there looking at my vadge, and i dont want to go to antenatal classes alone

Raahh · 06/08/2010 19:30

I went to classes with my first- well a few of them- as i knew nothing about babies (despite being 30). I was on my own at the time, and thought they would be useful. Every week just ended up being an argument between a particular , know it all, first time dad, who obviously knew more than the midwife of 30 years.

The things that i needed to know about, we didn't touch on. Bathing, feeding, nappy changing, how would we know labour was starting. But we certainly found out about this one man's opinions of the vitamin k injection! EVERY week. They didn't discuss methods of birth- in fact I am hard pushed to figure what we did do!

When i had my second, and now 3rd, classes weren't even mentioned (even though i am not that confident i know what i am doing, even now!!)

You learn 'on the job', really. Even if, like me, you end up being shown how to bath your ds at midnight, because they have been too busy during the day!

GokWannabe · 06/08/2010 20:07

I couldn't go to antenatal classes so my DH bought me this and I found it really useful. Its now doing the rounds amongst my pregnant friends!

bumpno1 · 06/08/2010 22:03

Try reading Blooming Birth by Lucy Atkins, its a really honest straight forward guide to labour & birth, so honest that its actually quite funny at times!

You can find it on Amazon or look at the website www.bloomingbirth.net

Lucy also wrote a book called First Time Parent, and as a first timer I would say this book is invaluable, just read the reviews on Amazon!

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