Antenatal group may sound really stupid :)

[Hannabee123]

Hi everyone!

I've just had a message from a health visitor inviting me to an antenatal group for 5 weeks. I've accepted but what should I expect?? First child so I have no clue what I'm doing. Are these worth going to?

Sorry if it sounds like a really stupid question I just don't know what to expect

I've recently booked my bump-to-baby classes and feeling exactly the same as you. All I remember being told about them is that you learn about Labour and how to cope, and about exercise or health or something. I think the NHS website might have something on there as Well, but would be good to actually hear from women who have done them to see what they're like.

Yeah atleast with people who have been to them you can get some good honest opinions :)

I did NCT classes, rather than NHS classes, and they were well worth the money. NCT is more detailed (16-18 hours depending which one you book) compared to I think 6-8hrs on NHS. Worth looking into as the extra time does allow you to build good friendships and support network. Those ladies were my lifeline and we still chat every day on whatsapp, more than 2 years later!

Either way you should expect info on:

• How to know you are in labour (early signs etc)
• How labour works in terms of what is a contraction, how long does labour last, different stages of labour
• How to cope with early labour at home
• When to call the hospital/midwife
• Pain relief options
• Intervention (forceps, ventouse, caesarean)
• Induction process
• Tearing
• Baby safety (how to put down to sleep, bath etc)
• Relationships after the birth
• Feeding your baby

Whether you choose NHS or NCT classes (or other - there are a few around!) I would absolutely recommend you go. I thought I knew quite a lot about giving birth but really didn't have a clue before the classes! Plus it was good to see things like forceps etc in the flesh so that if the time came wouldn't be so much of a shock. And I made some really good lifelong friendships.

We had 3 NHS sessions, first one was all about a normal labour, start to finish..signs to look out for, what happens when you're in full blown labour, pushing etc, also about pain relief options.

The second session was about c sections, forcep delivery, inductions etc... lots of passing around different items that may be used.

The third session was a tour around the local hospital, this was only half an hour (the first two sessions were 2 hours) I don't know why but I had this image in my head of everyone sat around learning breathing techniques but there was none of that, it was just listening and asking questions.

I didn't find the NHS ones very good as there were only two sessions and it was a huge room with about 30 couples there at once so I didn't feel like we got to know anyone.

However it was useful as they talked about specifics about the hospital.

Go with an open mind - I'm sure it will be interesting and there should be a chance to ask questions.

I think it's about 2 hours a week for 5 weeks where they want me to go so I guess its definitely worth going to :)

Ah yeah the NCT groups are 4-6 couples per group so much smaller

Is it weird if I go on my own to these? My partner doesn't really get paid for alot of days he has an allowance so he uses them for scans and so on :/

I went to these with my first lo and although I learned a bit about childbirth, some of the gals I met there are still my best friends, despite moving away. Definitely go! X

NCT tend to do theirs on weekends or in evenings (usually with one female only session in daytime when on mat leave to talk about breastfeeding and tearing) so shouldn't be problem for partners to go unless you are weekend or night worker. Don't know about NHS classes tho

We went to an NHS one on a Saturday. They covered all about the stages of labour/ the birth/ pain relief/ massage and relaxation and breathing techniques and a bit on safe sleeping. There were too many couples there to make friends and it was only about 6 hours but was worth it for us as we didn't do nct and learned a lot. I also did an NHS 2 hour breastfeeding workshop when I was pregnant which was really helpful too.

My local (free) childbirth classes were my absolute lifeline.

It was there I met 6 women who I would see the next 13 years with (and counting). We've been through pretty much everything together and we still meet every week for coffee. I thank my lucky stars that I attended and met them. I very nearly didn't go.

I paid to go to NCT with my partner. My group didn't gel at all.

I'm definitely going to go now because I think if someone handed me a baby I would probably cry and not know what to do with it

I think the NHS classes will really differ depending on the area / hospital and the person doing them. If they are free, and you can, do go because even if you are doing own research you might pick up something you hadn't come across. We had 2x1.5 hour classes and they were quite full and more medical than the NCT.

The NCT classes are just an expensive way to make friends who are due the same time. That's said as someone who did the NCT with 1st baby and is still friends with most several years later. However I didn't come across anything new in the class and I wasn't that impressed with our teacher. Making friends is also pot luck on NCT and sometimes people just don't get on.

We did the nhs class a few weeks ago and it was brilliant. DH came out really positive and clued up (went in freaking out). Covered lots including changing nappies, bathing, birth positions (i got in a dry pool), dads were given seperate sessions on what they could do for mums during labour. We also went to a 2 hour bf session which again was great. Showed us how to hold baby properly to latch on using a doll etc. I dont regret not paying for nct. Met some nice people. Also met with health visitor team this week (i am 38 weeks) which covered bits from both classes. Great to meet the people you may be meeting/calling for advice when little one is here