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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Calderdale only offer one antenatal class - is that normal?

15 replies

hostelgirl74 · 27/09/2011 07:48

I was looking forward to antenatal classes/whatever they are called these days. I thought that it would be nice to make friends with others in my position over the next few weeks as I have been a bit fed up.
I have been informed there is only one three hour class and it is on a Saturday! This is at Calderdale/Kirklees. I am a bit sad about this as I do not see how I can make any friends properly over the course of one session. Has anyone else had this experience with their health authority? Also, althought all the midwives I have seen have been nice enough, I have seen 4 different ones. Not the continuity of care i had expected. Is this just cut backs? Another lady I know had her baby in Wakefield and she seemed to get 2 or 3 classes and the same midwife. I know they can't guarantee who is there during the labour due to shifts, but I had expected to see the same person throughout the rest of my care. Am I just unlucky with Calderdale?

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Truffleshuffler · 27/09/2011 07:54

Same where I am in the North of Scotland, there are currently no antenatal classes being run. In the past there were also baby massage, baby yoga and antenatal swimming classes all of which have been cancelled.
I must say that the antenatal classes I went to with DS were awful anyway, the only place I can really suggest making friends would be at Mother and Toddler groups but you may have to wait a while for that.

notcitrus · 27/09/2011 09:06

In my part of South London I think it's 2 2-hour classes, but if you don't book within about 6 weeks of getting pregnant there won't be space, so I never got to go to them.
Luckily my local NCT teacher was fantastic, very realistic and not at all pushing natural/hippy stuff. They do a range of discounts so worth looking into.

I never saw the same MW twice, must have seen at least 30 by the time ds was born and out of hospital, but they were all fine except one nighttime agency one. 'continuity of care' in NHS-speak doesn't mean 'same person' just 'have access to your notes'...

NorthernChinchilla · 27/09/2011 11:56

Same here in North Kent- one ante-natal session only. They hold them half 9 to half three twice a month, on a Friday.
I was really surprised as well, and was expecting about six spread over the third trimester, but nope. I'm booked on my one for the end of November.

NCT classes round here cost the absolute earth, so not attending those.

Just relying on MN really for info!

Have seen the same MW throughout though, bar the initial booking in, which has been reassuring.

So I'd say it's not common, but sadly not unheard of.

ExitPursuedByaBear · 27/09/2011 11:58

I had one Saturday class - probably about three hours. I presumed it was because I was 'all care at the hospital' because of my age/family history so I never met the local midwifes or got included in any other classes. I did NCT to find out more and meet people.

Broody1976 · 27/09/2011 12:04

Same here in Manchester - one class about 3 hours on a Saturday followed by a tour of the place.

3 hours doesn't seem like long enough to learn how to look after a baby for the next 18+ years!!

I don't like the idea of the NCT ones, some friends have told me some scary stories.

Broody1976 · 27/09/2011 12:05

I should clarify, thats just the NCT class in my area - I know lots of people who have had good experience with them.

FeastofBeans · 27/09/2011 12:08

Same here in Wiltshire. It is one 2-hour class, you can go as many times as you want but it's the same every week...

Like you I was looking forward to meeting people, and apart from via Mumsnet I don't know ANYONE expecting at the same time as me.

I've seen 5 different midwives too

Hopefully I'll meet people in hospital!

Falsley · 27/09/2011 13:56

I had my DD in Calderdale last year and saw the same midwife for all my antenatal care and even for my post natal care so it was only the actual birth that I saw a different midwife for. I've only had one appointment so far and know that the MW I saw then won't be the MW I see normally as she was covering holiday but I was led to expect to normally see the same MW.
As for ante-natal classes there were none last year as the MW running them lsft so I went to NCT ones. Can't recommend them highly enough. The woman running them was excellent - very down to earth and I am still in regular touch with 3 of the couples I met there. In fact I'm not sure how I would have got through mat leave without them as it was great having a network of friends to meet up with who were going through the same things at the same time.

YBR · 27/09/2011 14:09

Here in Leicestershire I've just found out that:

Leicester General Hospital offers nothing, aparently.

Leicester Royal Infirmary does one 2-hour class on Saturday afternoons:
You can't book before 28weeks but I hear that they fill up very quickly thereafter.
They do all they can to discourage you from going if it's not your first, or you're going to do NCT/Birthtalk/other private classes.
It covers Birth and Labour only - no ward tour, no Breastfeeding etc.
Plus if the Labour Ward is busy that day they'll cancel it anyway.

According to my MW that is all that the budget stretches to in the NHS.

courtsfax · 10/10/2013 16:03

hi all i have an antenatal class tonight at the Calderdale Royal, anyone know where abouts at the hospital i have to go? Thanks

AndThatsWhatIThinkOfYou · 10/10/2013 16:11

I only went to one at calderdale didn't get offered another with ds2 just go to main entrance and ask where to go from there

HadALittleFaith · 10/10/2013 16:29

Don't get anything in Lincoln, have to pay for private classes!

SweetieTime · 10/10/2013 17:24

I am at Leeds General Infirmary and had a single 3 hour Monday evening antenatal class last week. It was twins specific which was good and the mw running it was excellent. There were 2 other expectant Mums there too but no-one spoke which was disappointing as I would really liked to have kept in touch.

I saw the same MW through my GP but with twins it is consultant led care so through the hospital. I have not seen the twin MW yet although am supposed to have the same MW throughout. I am now 28 weeks so would have thought I might have met her by now considering I have to go every 4 weeks since 16 weeks.

EmB1715 · 10/10/2013 22:20

Just a side note. When booking an NCT course it's worth letting them know your annual income as most people would get some form of a discount! We got our course for £23!!

StinkerBoo · 11/10/2013 18:03

I'm at Leeds General Infirmary too, I've only been booked onto one course automatically, but there's about half a dozen more you can go on (active birth, water birth, something to do with bf etc).

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