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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Antenatal classes - are they necessary?

13 replies

AnotherOriginalUsername · 07/05/2018 19:20

I'm currently pregnant with my first.

What will be my birth plan has essentially been laid out to me prior to even TTC - I have a heart condition, I have to give birth in hospital with consultant carr (was given the choice of two hospitals, naturally chose the one my cardiologists are based at).

I've been told that I will have to have an early epidural (due to the additional load on the heart during labour) with max 20 mins pushing then it'll be an assisted instrumental delivery, followed by a 3-5 day stay in hospital for cardiac monitoring.

Is there any point in going to antenatal classes since most of the decisions have been made for me?

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AmazingPostVoices · 07/05/2018 19:26

My NCT classes also covered basic baby care bathing, how to change a nappy, breastfeeding etc.

Perhaps if that part interested you you could ask if you could just attend those sessions.

amelie427 · 07/05/2018 19:26

There is a lot more to them than just the birth. You'll learn s bit about post natal recovery, feeding choices, basic baby care etc. My group included a lady with a blood pressure issue which had informed parts of her birth 'plan' already.

Ultimately, it's brilliant way of meeting local mums that are due the same time as you and will be on maternity leave the same time as you- so if you don't have any/many mum friends it's a good place to start. It creates a sort of forced intimacy which is really invaluable in those early days.

Namechange128 · 07/05/2018 19:26

It's also a lot about meeting people. Do you have a good social circle around already during the day?

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 07/05/2018 19:31

I liked my NCT even though I knew from the start that I would need a c section. It was mostly about meeting people and the breastfeeding session for me! Very pleased I did it!

Original poster

AnotherOriginalUsername · 07/05/2018 19:32

I didn't think about trying to do just half of a course. Are the NCT one's worth it? They look relatively pricey.

I do have people around during the day and my SiL is due 2 months before me so we'll largely be on maternity leave at the same time.

Basic baby care - we have a reasonable grasp having been quite involved with 4 young neices and nephews from the beginning.

Are there such things as post-natal classes/groups?

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Ginger1982 · 07/05/2018 19:39

The ones I did on the NHS were useless IMHO. With hindsight I might have paid for classes that covered basic baby care as I was pretty clueless.

Ginger1982 · 07/05/2018 19:40

I did a baby massage course starting when DS was about 10 weeks and that's how I made friends. Nobody at my ante natal class seemed to want to make friends with anyone.

AlbertaSimmons · 07/05/2018 19:42

DS1 and DDiL have just had pfb. They didn't do any ante natal classes or prep of any sort. DGS is 7 weeks now and in cracking form, parents are very laid back, all is well.

Thistles24 · 07/05/2018 20:01

I went first time round, didn't learn anything that I hadn't already read about but met one of my best friends through it. We met up almost daily while on maternity leave, dropping to a couple of times a week until DC started school and now, 10 years after meeting still catch up weekly for a walk or gym without DC. Haven't bothered with either of my other pregnancies, but I'd highly recommend them for first time mums to meet others- maternity leave has the potential to be lonely!

Original poster

AnotherOriginalUsername · 09/05/2018 15:46

I enquired about the NCT course and it's £210

It's also offering me membership but I can't see that that's necessary?

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Aw12345 · 09/05/2018 17:16

We were shocked at the cost of NCT especially so that they can fund their huge head office in a very expensive part of central london but are doing it anyway as everyone we know who did it recommended it. The membership is optional and we didn't sign up to that.

My boss just had a baby and his wife is neonatal care nurse so didn't do any antenatal classes ... They regret not doing any as they'd like the support network.

Obviously a personal decision though :-)

Original poster

AnotherOriginalUsername · 09/05/2018 18:12

That's what I'm thinking, not necessarily just for me either. We're the first of our local friends to have a baby and although plenty of my husband's friends (mostly old uni mates) have young children, they all live in various corners of the country so it'd be good for him to meet some like minded local parents too

OP posts:

scrivette · 09/05/2018 18:17

I didn't go to any (much to my Midwife's horror!) and was fine giving birth and everything afterwards. Mumsnet is a great source of information and I had friends and family around so wasn't isolated.

If you feel that you want to meet other parents after the baby is born there are plenty of classes you could attend or see if your local Council runs any at their Children's Centres.

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