London mums: anyone been to Active Birth Centre classes?

[skerriesmum]

I'm wondering if I should go to a Janet Balaskas yoga class during a short trip to London this summer. I live in Canada so it would just be a one-off. I think her book is great but I'm wondering if it's worth doing, as it's quite expensive.

I went to her classes about 6 years ago when I was having DS1, and I really enjoyed them. The only thing I didn't like was that we paired off and gave each other a massage at the end - I felt really self-conscious about it and was too wet to say. My only other proviso is that when I called them to tell them about DS1's birth (not very Active Birth - induced, epidural etc) and offer to come and tell the class they never got back to me and I felt they only wanted to hear about lovely gentle births. But the classes were excellent and a lovely time to bond with the baby.

Thanks md. The thing is, I wonder how useful just one class will be... maybe I will go for a treat!

I didn't get taught by Janet but it's on my doorstep so I did a course of antenatal yoga there. Beanbags, herbal tea, lots of 'visualising your baby'. Quite pleasant, but agree that the ABC sells a wholly unrealistic impression of labour/birth. I did make some good local friends though.

Also why??? did Birth Workshop over a weekend. Yes, there truly was a macrame vagina through which a dolly emerged.

Steer well clear of the ABC feeding bras, btw

Interesting. My first birth was quite "medical"; episiotomy, ventouse, labouring on my back. I have this idea that if I prepare better this time with the breathing and ABC exercises etc. that it really will be easier. Am I deluding myself?! Or is it all down to nature anyway?

I have done classes with Janet a few times (have 4 children). I would say her focus has changed a bit - her daughter had a baby and I think went for a bit of pain relief and the later classes I went to weren't so judgmental about epidurals etc. I agree that the massaging went a bit far - I used to be very relieved when there was a week where massage wasn't included.

I really enjoyed her classes - and it is good to meet her, especially if you have read her books and agree with what she says, but I suppose that a saturday active birth class is probably more use if you can just do one class.

I also look at subsequent labours as being a bit like an exam re-sit, although when viewed more objectively, doing the exercises etc may help, won't harm you and may be enjoyable - but no more than that

morethan1 you sound spookily like me - except I did end up with a cs. From what I've read since, I think ds was malpositioned enough not to be able to pass through my pelvis, and too big at 9lb12oz to reposition himself.

I read the Active Birth book with the beardy hippies in it and was gutted it didn't happen like that for me .

Agree her book makes it sounds oh so simple - like Sheila Kitzinger. I wish they'd realise sometimes it isn't going to be ok, no matter how much hip-swivelling you do.

rofl @ macrame vagina though

It is really encouraging to read these messages, because my own experience was disappointing and it's great to know I'm not the only one.
I had read Active Birth and thought I would be more in control, but at the time I just felt so overwhelmed by the pain that I couldn't remember any exercises or breathing... not that I'd practiced them all that much to begin with... it was a scary, panicky time and the hospital staff weren't at all supportive. I was alone with a student for a lot of my second stage and she kept leaving to find someone to ask what to do!
It is discouraging though to think I could prepare and it wouldn't really help in the end.
Thanks everyone for posting.