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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone not going to anti-natal classes?

38 replies

Merlin333 · 25/07/2015 08:51

Just wandering if anyone else not been to the classes, I feel like it's what you should do but I'm not overly keen! And there is so much information about it available online or dvds etc would I really be missing out by not going to the classes?

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eurochick · 25/07/2015 08:52

I didn't bother. I ended up with a section so I can't say whether they would have helped with labour.

AThousandTears · 25/07/2015 08:55

I never went to any with my DS (2). I'm 8 weeks now and I don't intend to go with this one either.

I was always very relaxed about giving birth and as it turned out I don't think it was something I could have prepared for any more than I did.

Like you, I used the internet to research the different types of pain relief to make my decision on what I definitely didn't want.

I also did this for the newborn stage, midwives in hospital after he was born were fantastic.

Metalhead · 25/07/2015 08:56

The only thing you're going to miss out on is potentially meeting new friends who will also have a new baby at the same time as you (though obviously that's not guaranteed).

loveulotslikejellytots · 25/07/2015 08:57

I'm only 17 weeks so I might change my mind, but I'm thinking not. There is so much information around on the internet, plus I'm looking into hypnobirthing, more for tips on relaxation. But my SIL has had 4 kids, she is very good with advice, not judgemental, very factual (she's also a nurse so has some medical knowledge) plus her best friend is a midwife. Between the two of them, they have actually given me a lot of information, very unbiased and factual, which is what works for me.

At the moment I'm not sure there is anything they've missed that a class could cover. They've both said that no class can prepare you for what actually happens because it is so different for everyone.

captainproton · 25/07/2015 08:58

I think the hospital ones are usually to show you the layout, their policies, when to call, what to bring etc. also not all hospitals have the same drugs on offer. The one I went on didn't really cover the mechanics of birth like say the nct class did.

captainproton · 25/07/2015 09:00

For instance the hospital I gave birth in wouldn't let your partner accompany you for a CS and perhaps it's worth knowing things like this in advance and not be disappointed?

Nolim · 25/07/2015 09:07

I was going to but the baby has other plans and was born prematurely.

Bellabutterfly2014 · 25/07/2015 09:19

Hey - my situation is a bit different; I'm 22 wks pregnant with my first baby and neither my health centre or the maternity ward at the local hospital offer any ante natal classes - it's a postcode lottery apparently as to what various NHS trusts choose to offer but it's something they've cut back on with the NHS cutbacks.

I'm also a bit older (nearly 36) and most of my friends have had babies years ago, they are all older now so I was actually looking forward to going to one to meet people.

Yes - there's plenty of info online but it's not the same if you want to meet people - I'm looking into NCT classes but it seems unfair that depending on where you live you get the option of a free ante natal service or you have to go private!!!!

Mouthfulofquiz · 25/07/2015 09:21

Having sat through a two hour session on 'talking to your bump' I can safely say that I wouldn't bother with that one again!

SnoozeTheCat · 25/07/2015 09:24

The friends I met through my NCT classes have prevented me from slipping into PND.

Frolicacid · 25/07/2015 09:25

I'm 36 weeks and not going to bother. Like others have said, there is plenty of reliable info out there online help with making informed choices.
My midwife didn't seem to think they were all that necessary and has offered me a long appointment when we do the birth plan to cover the main points.

Ragwort · 25/07/2015 09:27

I did go to the majority (six out of an eight week course) - more for something to do as I had just moved to a new area, wasn't working and didn't know that many people. But I really didn't enjoy them or feel I learned anything from them - my DH came to one and refused to return .

I didn't find them at all useful and the midwife was most upset when the vast majority of us had to have a CS rather than the VB she was hoping we'd all have. I cringe at the memory of one over-eager husband who went on and on about how to tell whether someone was 3cm or 5cm dilated. . Although I socialised briefly with some of the other women I met at the classes we didn't really have much in common - apart from having a baby - but that doesn't mean you will become good friends.

Funnily enough I later did become good friends with the midwife, as she was married to my DH's best friend.

SnozzberryPie · 25/07/2015 09:32

I was planning on going but dd was born prematurely. I don't think I missed much by not knowing about the mechanics of birth but I wished I had known a bit about breastfeeding as the scbu staff gave contradictory advice. I met lots of mums at baby groups so don't worry about that.

I'm pregnant with dc2 now and hoping to go to the NHS ones as I can't afford nct these days!

Doublebubblebubble · 25/07/2015 09:36

I've never bothered lol x I'm kind of a - if I ask you then please tell me - kind of mumma. I think id find them kind of preachy (having said that, as I haven't ever been, and don't plan on going, I wouldn't know lol) x I think the best thing to do in labour is to just listen to your body and the midwives anything that anyone else may have said before tends to go out the window anyway lol xx

BikeRunSki · 25/07/2015 09:39

I went because I knew nothing about babies, had no friends where we live and my family is scattered all over. My mum is nearly 300 miles away, and siblings abroad. PIL are 200 miles away.

Antenatal classes actually did help me understand more (something) about the process of giving birth, and the "c section role play" meant that I didn't panic when I needed a c section a few weeks later. I made some friends too, and we supported each other in that first year of sleeplessness, bf, PND, c sec recovery and sadly, a neonatal death.

I made other - and ad it turns out, more enduring- friends at local mum and baby groups, but there were dats in those first weeks where I wouldn't have left the house without the ante-natal girls. Where you are crying with despair and exhaustion at 3 am, it's comforting to know someone else who is.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 25/07/2015 09:45

I've never been, just never had the time. 4 DCs no problems. Do what you think is right is all I can say.

Buttercup27 · 25/07/2015 09:46

I didn't bother with nct classes but I found our local hospital class very good as they showed you round the delivery suits and the ward and explained where you had to go and what to do when the time comes.

Original poster

Merlin333 · 25/07/2015 09:50

Oh good its reassuring to know I'm not alone!! I was thinking they weren't even around in the days my mum was pregnant and she managed to have 3 kids and survived !! Lol at the 2 hr talking to yr bump session and the unimpressed husband haha. The classes here are 2 hrs once a wk but during the morning so not ideal for husband! I will continue my search on u-tube and practice my breathing in the comfort of my living room :)

OP posts:

surroundedbyblondes · 25/07/2015 10:23

I didn't go though we went for the tour of the maternity unit at the hospital which was useful. Had v positive birth experiences with both DDs despite complications witv DD2. Worked for me because I had no firm plan/expectations and could go with the flow.

Mouthfulofquiz · 25/07/2015 21:47

Oh yes - it was amazing. We were told to read stories to our bumps so they could learn to recognise our voices. (Normal talking doesn't count then??)
In all honesty, I think it was to encourage people to get excited and bond if they hadn't already, but I was a bit annoyed that I had skipped work for two hours of that. I also learnt that recreational drugs were not good 'for baby'. No shit!
The only one that was of use to me was the one about labour / birth itself. But I have a lot of medical professionals in the family so I guess I had a lot of advice and support to call on compared to most. If I'd been a younger or more nervous mum then it probably would have been a useful experience.

Brindler · 25/07/2015 22:10

Nope I didn't do them either! Refused to pay the nct prices and never got round to booking the free hospital one. I made loads of friends at various baby groups after I'd had dd and also spent quite a bit of time at the local children's centre at their various groups/classes where there was always a health visitor/bf expert on hand if you ever needed help or advice.

The only thing I did do pre-birth was a children's first aid course which was pretty useful and worthwhile I think

plonkie · 25/07/2015 22:32

Oh thank god for that, I thought I was the only one not bothering! Im 30+5 and not even been tempted. I feel like they could be very useful if you haven't got a good close support network, but I'm very lucky in that respect. Even without this, like prev posters have said, there's a wealth of info out there. I would rather research myself and make my own mind up about certain things as well, rather than just having only the antenatal class to listen to.

whatsoever · 25/07/2015 22:57

I went with DS - didn't make friends with anyone I kept in touch with; the main midwife was laughably out of touch with reality and it was shared between people going to 3 different hospitals so took the tour of our hospital totally separately. They don't offer it for 2nd time parents.

What I wish I did do was the NCT ones, just for the ready made social circle.

GoooRooo · 25/07/2015 23:00

I went to the NCT ones and hated them. Didn't make one friend (maybe I am not very likeable though!)

I made a few friends at baby groups once the baby had arrived.

I am not bothering with antenatal classes with my current (second) pregnancy.

captainproton · 25/07/2015 23:17

I don't remember the NCT classes asking you to talk to your bump. They seemed to talk to us like adults and not patronising, very matter of fact, explaining everything in detail drug choices, CS, birthing positions etc. I find the way the NHS treat pregnant women very condescending in some ways, like once you become pregnant you lose your brain. Even now on my 3rd I find that I am being spoken to like I don't know what's happening. For instance smoking and drinking. Having to blow into a device to prove I'm a non-smoker, and being told we'll know if your lying so best to be honest. I'm not lying love, but thanks for treating me like I was. Also anti-d, yes yes I know I need a jab, I've just told you I need a jab, i even explained why to you, you don't then need to re-explain it back to me. I just don't get what that achieves?

So I can see why you'd skip the NHS ones but I'd still do the tour if you could. It just makes things a bit easier come the time.

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