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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Help - Liverpool Women's don't do antenatal classes? I'm confused!

34 replies

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 14:00

Anyone else given birth / planning to give birth at Liverpool Women's?

I thought they did antenatal classes, nothing fancy but you know the NHS ones. And I thought that if you had had your booking in appointment there you would just get an invite automatically.

However, I have just called them and they say that they do have limited antenatal classes, but they are booked up now! I wasn't told anything about needing to book them, in fact unless I'm going mad I'm convinced I was told I'd get an invite.

And apparently you can do a tour of the maternity wards by ringing the community mw of a weekend (which I will do obvy) but there is another organisation that runs something called Parentcraft classes, but I have called the number they gave me and there is no answer and the answerphone message is just a standard "please leave a message" one; doesn't even say who they are or what they do.

Help!

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lulumama · 15/01/2007 14:02

i'll do your birth prep for you !! lol! have you looked at the NCT classes! there is a charge for those...had my DD at Ormskirk...went to ante natal classes when pregnant with DS, and fell asleep in the second one, to be woken by my phone ringing..never went back as too ashamed !

lulumama · 15/01/2007 14:02

it was parentcraft i went to ...!

ledodgy · 15/01/2007 14:04

I went to one parentcraft lesson too tbh you learn more on here.

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 14:13

The NCT ones are very expensive, they're nearly £200 - we both work so wouldn't get them free, but have spent so much money on paying off debts (number one priority pre-maternity leave) that we don't have much left.

Is parent craft the one where they teach you about breathing and everything? Is it a free one or is there a charge do you know?

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lulumama · 15/01/2007 14:15

it's free ! but i fell asleep....! which gives you an idea of the interest factor!

TBH,,you can practice breathing all you want..but it might not be the way you want or need to breathe in labour !

not really selling it , am i??

HappyNewJaamy · 15/01/2007 14:17

Hi 3rdTriMossTer
I've had my 2DDs at LWH. Before DD1 I was desperate to go to Antenatal classes, being a novice mum and all but they were having a refurb at LWH and couldn't hold the classes. We were told to go to our local hospital (in my case Whiston). Don't know where you are in Liverpool but try ringing round some of the other hospitals to see if they hold "parentcraft" classes or speak to your community midwife to see if she/he knows where might hold them.
You're not really missingout on anything if you don't get to go along to one but I know you feel like you are missing out. HTH

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 14:23

Lulumama lol well you can tell you're not on commission for them anyway!!!

HappyNewJaamy Whiston is my nearest as well but having been there a few times with dh when he was ill put me off it for life hence one of the reasons why I chose the women's even though it's further away.

So what other (free or cheap ish - I know I sound like a chav but I am skint) things should I be educating myself about things like breathing and positions and all the things they tell you about in ante natal classes?

OP posts:

lulumama · 15/01/2007 14:26

ring ormskirk hospital...they might do them too !

yes, you can educate yourself....

sheila kitzinger pregnancy and birth book is good...as are the ina may ones....have you read
guide to childbirth? am just about to get the red tent by anita diamant from teh library..will let you know if it is worth a read ...

marymillington · 15/01/2007 14:27

I'm at LWH, and was last time too. They do do some classes but you definitely have to pro-actively sign up. Where are you in Merseyside? Do your community midwives run a course? Ours do here in Crosby and its really superb ( have gone back for a repeat with this baby, just for the entertainment value).

If you want advice about breathing and positions for labour (as opposed to pain releief and the mechanics of childbirth stuff) there is an excellent pregnancy yoga class at Blackburne House on Hope Street, run by a retired midwife. Found this v helpful. Also is there a Surestart near you? They often have free antenatal yoga sessions.

BTW I have heard that they are going to stop doing the LWH tours as they are so busy now and its becoming intrusive. So if you want to get on one, do it soon. You have to ring between 12 and 1 on Sat or Sun I think.

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 14:31

Lulumama I have read the guide to childbirth it is boss, do you think that just reading and practising on my tod/with dh / mil etc would be enough? Would Ormskirk do the classes even though I'm booked in to Liverpool then?

Marymillington I'm in St Helens. Will have a look at that Blackburne House one. I thought surestart was just if you were under 25 is it everyone then?

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marymillington · 15/01/2007 14:38

Well, I'm 37 and out of technically just out of their catchment area but I've found they are often more than happy for you to make up numbers on their courses. I did free antenatal yoga and aquanatal last time.

And I would also expect your community midwife to be helping you find stuff. How many weeks are you?

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 15:01

I'm 30 weeks tomorrow. My next mw appointment is on 25th Jan. I don't really know what you're meant to do on those appointments, maybe I should go along with a list of questions but tbh if ever I have a question I tend to ask it on here (MN) first and it gets answered!

So I just end up having the heartbeat & fundal (I so wanna say fungal!) height measured and my wee checked for sugar and the like and then trot merrily off home.

So I should ask her about classes & the like then?

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marymillington · 15/01/2007 15:06

I would ring her up before then to see if she can suggest any other classes, as time's of the essence!

For me I found the classes doubly helpful as I was new to the area and ended up making lots of new friends. But if you are established where you are its maybe not such an issue.....

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 15:28

MM I will call her on Thursday when she is in the Doctor's and ask her then.

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lulumama · 15/01/2007 15:55

ask the midwife....

i did a lot of research when pregnant with DD and found it was enough for me, although it was second time round, i had not really laboured first time, so i went into in thinking that it was a first time.

it got me where i wanted to be anyway! i would go along to the classes if you can, and report back ! also, i will help you as much as i can !

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 16:26

Lulumama what sort of research did you do second time around?

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Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 15/01/2007 16:27

Or were you already a Doula by then?

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lulumama · 15/01/2007 19:50

reading
reading
reading
reading
reading
reading
reading
reading

seeing a pattern here??

reading
reading
reading
reading
reading

and watching discovery health!

and no i wasn't , but it is how i found out about them !

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 16/01/2007 06:38

Hmm.... no, can't see a theme.... watching TV was that?

Apart from Kitzinger and Ina May is there owt else I should be reading?

I do feel much more prepared by reading those, but I felt disappointed about the antenatal classes as I would have been able to bring dh/mil along.

Still I think I can make them do some reading too!

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lulumama · 16/01/2007 07:16

well, they can read the stuff you have read to make sure they are in tune with what you want from the birth experience! will have a think on about more reading......it is disappointing if you thought you would automatically have the classes....try phoning the other hospitals, and also , try the one in preston, Arrowe Park , i think x

marymillington · 16/01/2007 15:41

hi again (don't know what to abrv your name too and the full thing sounds so very formal)

have just been at LWH and saw a couple of notices that thought might be relevant for you

one for a parent ed class that seemed to be about birth and beyond run by surestart netherton (probably a bit out of your way?), need to call midwife Nikki 0151 5232159 or 07793064752.

also jenni jones is starting up her antenatal yoga at the LWH nest week mons and weds nights. also runs them at fazakerly. not cheap - £36 for 6 week course i think but i know people who have said they are fantastic. her blurb is \link{http://www.yogabumpsandbabies.co.uk/}

marymillington · 16/01/2007 15:42

here

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 16/01/2007 18:14

Marymillington I'm normally just msmoss but I changed it for my 3rd trimester (geddit?!)

Netherton isn't too bad at all if dh can get off work, 'cos he can drive, will also look at the yoga, you're a star thank you very much!

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HappyNewJaamy · 18/01/2007 00:34

Hi 3rdtrimosster
Most of the parentcraft classes are pretty much the same. I know you didn't like the look of Whiston - I went to LWH even though I'm literally 1 mile away from there - but you would only be going for the parentcraft lessons, unless you're planning to go into labour while you're there!
Anyway, all the best with finding something and the birth and all...make it sounds so easy, don't I?

Original poster

3rdTriMossTer · 18/01/2007 06:42

I'm sure someone must have had a good birth experience in Whiston but everyone I've spoken with who went there didn't have a good word to say!

But you're right, I wouldn't be giving birth in there, that is a good point!

Well hopefully not anyway!!

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