Are NCT classes going to be as awful as I'm expecting?

[SpecialStains]

Had to sign up for NCT classes as it meant that DH and I could get it over and done with in two weekend days, as opposed to committing to once a week for 6 weeks with our local NHS ones (we'd never get out of work on time).

After weeks of patronising generic emails, with helpful hints such as suggesting that I take a nap if I'm tired in the day (okay, will just pass that one onto my manager at work), we've had an email from the course organiser.

I'm expected to bring items to create a 'birthing nest'. Suggested nesting items apparently include homeopathy oils and baby scans to focus on. Is this normal? Not sure DH and I are going to get on with this...

In all seriousness, what did non-woo people take along to create their 'birth nest' with?!

[SpecialStains]

Weezie how on earth did you keep a straight face?! I've not been asked to bring my crayons, but I will remain aware of the possibility...

Hopefully, as most people seem to experience, I'll at least meet some nice people. I sat and watched all the video clips that relate to labour on the NHS website, so I feel a little more prepared.

There's just so many things regarding looking after a tiny human I don't know how people know! If anyone can answer the following questions, it will make me a little less dense :-

Can you over-feed a breastfed baby?

How do you know if you've dressed them warm/cool enough (particularly if its a summer baby).

With boys, how likely is it you will get wee flying everywhere when you change a nappy (as a colleague has warned me)?

[BertrandRussell]

No.
By feeling the back of their necks
Very likely indeed- my ds got a direct hit on a very patronizing pediatrician at less than 12 hours old- that's my boy! But you do learn to dodge, or to drape a strategic baby wipe.

Don't completely dismiss the woo stuff. I actually found the visualizations We learned through suppressed giggles at NCT incredibly helpful in labour- we giggled at them in the early stages, but I clung to them like glue through the harder bits.

[SpecialStains]

Thanks Bertrand. Do you just mean checking their temperature on the back of their necks? It does worry me how little experience I have with babies. I've been watching quite a few youtube videos, but I'm still not sure I know what I'm doing.

I will be participating fully, and engage with all the woo that is thrown at me (DH is another matter).

[BertrandRussell]

The back of the neck needs to feel comfortably cool.

It's not really as scary and overwhelming as it seems. Well, not always.......

[shelbTa]

I'm doing them, mainly to meet ladies round my area, but also to learn what to do (!) and I must admit I'm nervous like you about the woo. I think my OH will struggle if he has to massage me or any of that crap - he barely did it in the early days!

I hear ya. Let me know how it goes!

X

[SewSlapdash]

Our classes were great and not at all woo, we even had a CS role play.

As for your questions:

Breastfeeding: not really, but as they get older they can sometimes become quite reliant on boobs to get them back to sleep (I'm looking at you DS )

Hot/cold: feel the back of their necks. DS screamed the place down when he got overheated. As a rule, one more layer than you in winter, one less in summer. Check regularly.

Wees: not just likely, inevitable. I have been wee-d on more times than I care to mention. With girls it tends to puddle underneath instead. We used to call it a DS special when he needed a dirty nappy changing, wee-d as soon as you got the nappy off and then puked within 30 seconds of getting a clean baby gro and vest on. He was a very sicky baby.

It all sounds awful, but bear in mind I'm now 28 weeks with dc2 and I sorted out all the vests etc the other week. I looked back on those sick stained vests with misty eyes

Best of luck, it sounds like you'll do just fine.

[trinitybleu]

I did nct classes and I am as bewildered as you as to a birthing nest. FFS.

Each teacher will be different... you could ask if there's an alternative course with a different leader?

Ours was very down to earth, covered c sections and bottle feeding etc. Also advocated a meet up post births with lots of wine. We're still doing those 9.5 years later

[SpecialStains]

Hello, had my first class today. It was quite good and all the other couples there seemed really nice. Range of ages 25-40, most in their early 30s. Class wasn't woo at all, and I got a lot out of it. Particularly, found breathing and birthing positions useful. The only downside was that the course leader seemed to think that everyone can have a completely natural birth, and wouldn't really go into what happens when you need intervention.

Still, next week we'll cover breastfeeding and newborn care, which I'm sure will be very useful.

Thanks for all the comments.

[1frenchfoodie]

No mention of birthing nests in my clases earlier this year either, must be your tutor's personal style. I went expecting raging hippiedom and realised I - with reusable nappies and no plans to impose a routine or practice controlled crying in the first few weeks - was the biggest hippie there. The tutor was a bit rambling and there was an assumption breastfeeding would always be best for both mother and baby but otherwise the classes were fine and I still keep up with the group even if one of the annoys me intensley by being an expert on anything and everything baby related Have fun.

[PuraVida]

Ours wasn't a bit woo. We enacted a c section all taking different roles which those (50%) of our class who had them said was reassuring knowing what all the hustle and bustle was about. I made great friends.

That said however, there is something inherently woo about childbirth and knowing the role of happy, relaxed hormones and optimum positioning and swaying and dim lighting etc to encourage things along shouldn't be dismissed out of hand

[Sophia1984]

SpecialStains Our teacher showed us how to open the nappy a little bit but keep the front over baby boy's willy until he's done a wee so it doesn't shoot you in the face! Apparently it's the sudden exposure to air that does it..