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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

NHS antenatal class

13 replies

Crosshair · 20/09/2011 15:23

Hi, I've got my first nhs antenatal class tonight and was wondering what to expect? Was it a good or bad experience for you?

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CollieandPup · 20/09/2011 15:26

Me too!!! Had an NCT one already which was good. Informative, not as preachy as I'd expected and quite informal. But tonight's my first NHS 'parentcraft'! Will report back tomorrow! Good luck with yours, when are you due?

Original poster

Crosshair · 20/09/2011 15:40

Im due 1/1/2012(25 weeks) and yourself? :)

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CollieandPup · 20/09/2011 15:50

Ah, a new year baby! I'm due 20th Nov! 31weeks (eek).

Have fun tonight.....

MissRee · 20/09/2011 16:04

You're due day after me Crosshair - my classes don't start until November though

Karmanna · 20/09/2011 16:58

My midwife only booked me in for one class. It's an all day Saturday class for me and DH -do you think that's enough? I've heard lots of other people going to more than one class but assumed they were shorter classes. If I wanted to go to more than one, do I need to book it myself or can the midwife do it for me? Sorry for all the questions! And sorry for hijacking your thread crosshair!

Cutelittlecatlover · 20/09/2011 20:41

We only got one 2 hour session with dc1 and that was to cover labour, birth, breathing exercises, breastfeeding etc. I don't know if they offer any classes for dc2 but I probably won't bother going.

I'm very of people who got more than one session or a whole day.

Original poster

Crosshair · 20/09/2011 20:59

It was poo, doubt I'd go back for the other sessions.How was your class CollieandPup?

Np Karmanna. :)

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Champagnevanity · 20/09/2011 20:59

I found it very useful, mainly because it was an opportunity to ask any questions i wanted, rather than bothering to remember them for the midwife. However, it was very much like school, sitting down, drawing spider-gram's, ect.

and plus, everyone else was their with their DP's and i went with my mum, major

CollieandPup · 20/09/2011 22:36

Sorry yours was rubbish crosshair, mine was ok. The first hour was a bit slow as we spent most of it on ice breakers, our expectations of the classes and the rest of our pregnany. 2nd hour was about birthing options ie home/hospital and I'm still debating so it gave me a chance to ask lots of specific questions in relation to my area. Bits were repetitive of the NCT classes, but I think having already been on them helped as i knew some of the general stuff.

All in all not bad, I'd go back. And more relaxed and friendly than the NCT!

catlover can't believe you only had one 2 hr session. I have 6, plus an extra breast feeding one!!!!

Original poster

Crosshair · 21/09/2011 11:29

Mine was about healthy eating and was pretty much a lady reading from a fact sheet with a power point on in the background. If anyone asked a question she would consult the fact sheet, which didnt seem to contain many facts at all.

Glad yours went well, it sounds alot more interesting and helpful. :)

OP posts:

Staceroo · 21/09/2011 13:58

Karmanna I think it all comes down to different policies depending on where you live.

I'm in South Wales and we also only get one class. I had mine on Saturday, it was quite informative, but 6 hours was a long time to sit and be uncomfortable. And because they tried so hard to cram everything in to the one day, there was no opportunity to socialise or mix with other parents. Which was really what I had hoped to achieve from the day! Luckily my yoga classes have solved that problem though.

MW also informed us that next year they may not do any, and they will be run by a private firm and you will have to pay for them!

Aniela111 · 21/09/2011 15:56

Hi girls I'm 21 weeks and was given tel.nr for Henley antenatal classes. I have been ringing them every hour for the past week.no luck-"sorry, we are extremely busy, please hold"! So frustrating!!! I rang my midwife, left her a voicemail regarding this 3 days ago, and no answer the either.
What do I do? What are nct classes and do I need to attend those classes now? As I am only 21 weeks? Thanks in advance?

CollieandPup · 21/09/2011 17:52

NCT is the National Childbirth Trust, which is a charity that offers antenatel classes but you have to pay - although if you have an income under a certain amount they subside. Prices vary from area to area. Mine were about £120 but in the south they can be as much as £300. see here

Depending on where you are, your nhs classes can get booked up quick- I booked about 17weeks, so keep trying. When's you next mw apt? If you can't get hold if your community mw, ring the antenatal unit at your hospital. That's here I had to ring to book on anyway.

Good luck!

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