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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Did anyone go through labour without classes?

36 replies

NewEP · 27/07/2018 07:13

I can't get on a prenatal class to save my life. Had to change from a MLU to a hospital at 22 weeks and couldn't get on his hospital ante-natal class. Can't afford NCT and am a bit clueless about childbirth...

Can anyone give me any positive stories re childbirth without having had classes?

Also curious to know the best things your birth partner did to support you?

Thanks!

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Yakadee · 27/07/2018 07:17

Hi op. I did go on the hospital course but to be honest, it wasn't anything I didn't really know already. You can always try looking up videos if you think it'll help you.

I can't say I had the best experience but I had some unexpected complications so not the norm.

My husband was amazing though bless him. He didn't really do anything special, he was just there looking after me. Rubbing my back or getting me water.

Good luck xxx

cookielove · 27/07/2018 07:19

No classes here, gave birth at 34+1 but had a pretty straight forward birth!

Livinglavidal0ca · 27/07/2018 07:21

Hi OP, I didn’t have any birthing classes. I just wanted to be blissfully unaware of the pain I was about to go through and I also never got around to booking some even though I got offered loads and loads of to go to because I’m a young mum but didn’t really feel like they were a good fit for me.
For what it’s worth, my labour was really easy and relaxed, midwife led, no pain relief and in the water. Breastfed from day one with no problems too.

Redteapot67 · 27/07/2018 07:22

I went on Nct but honestly it was a social thing and didn’t help for the birth at all.
Talk loads to your midwife
Thing to remember is childbirth is natural to your body - it knows what to do even if your brain doesn’t!
And you can ask for what you want in the hospital - half of Nct is about teaching you to stand up for your rightS
Your partners role is to get you to hospital, do whatever you ask and be your advocate with the drs and nurses
You’ll be fine!!

imsorryiasked · 27/07/2018 07:27

You dont need to go to classes - as PP said there is plenty of (sensible) information online. Just stick to healthcare etc videos not home births! A decent pregnancy guide will also cover everything you need to know.
I attended a session at the hospital but they only spoke about the birthing options at the hospital and the importance of breastfeeding (anyone want to split into groups and pass round a knitted boob )
It was honestly a waste of an evening.
I couldn't afford nct classes and there weren't any other options.

kirta · 27/07/2018 07:29

I've had 2 babies, and didn't do any hospital courses. Mainly because I'm a wimp and tried to deny I'd have to give birth until the last minute... it was honestly fine. Midwives at hospital were ace. I had 2 very different labours, and felt really well guided through both. I do think the major thing is trying to relax. Your body is an incredible thing!

LucyLou49 · 27/07/2018 07:31

I didn't go to classes. Baby was in and had to come out which was going to happen regardless!

I didn't bother with a birth plan either.

I don't know what classes would have offered, but I can't see how they could have changed the experience.

Redteapot67 · 27/07/2018 07:34

I actually think classes are worse because they give you a false idea of what it might be like - every birth so different so best just to go with the flow

Spam88 · 27/07/2018 07:35

I did nhs classes but they don't really prepare you for childbirth, as in they talk about the physiological processes that occur, when you should go in, pain relief options available, but no coping mechanisms or positions to get into etc. It's nothing you couldn't find online or from a quick chat with your midwife.

MustBeThursday · 27/07/2018 07:36

I did a hospital class but other than discussing different types of pain relief and telling us not to go in unless contractions were 3 in 10, they were little to no use with regard to coping with labour. I managed ok with just reading up on it

siblingrevelryagain · 27/07/2018 07:43

I had none and successfully gave birth three times.

The main thing I wish i’d knownfirat time (which i’d figured out by the second) was how to use the gas and air. You have to suck it in like your life depends on it, and then it’s the most amazing stuff. Imagine it’s a giant spliff that contains the elixir of life if you can only draw it deep enough into your lungs. Keep going with it and after a while you’ll feel it working. Don’t have a couple of drags then give up if it doesn’t seem to be working.

After a full on epidural with the first I managed the second birth and the stitching after the third on only gas and air (they didn’t get me to the ward in time to have it with the third) and it was marvellous.

I don’t know if they tell you/show you how to use it in the classes anyway though

Hemlock2013 · 27/07/2018 07:46

No classes here and two successful labours.

I did read some books on calm birthing though, ina may etc.

You don’t have a huge amount of control over what happens really. Either the baby is in a good position and you can get on with it or somethings up and you need help.

I think the best thing is to surrender yourself to the circumstances and try and remain calm.

Classes not necessary for that x

Fatted · 27/07/2018 07:53

I didn't do any classes. Ask other mums, read pregnancy guides, do your research online, read your notes about what's available at your hospital.

I'm glad I didn't do classes. My first labour ended in EMCS and no amount of classes would have changed that frankly. I also think it's best to go in with no expectations. I found it hard enough coping afterwards after having a section I'd be quite adamantly against beforehand. If I'd been one with a huge birth plan, wanting the pool etc I think it would have been worse.

Annalogy · 27/07/2018 08:40

Just have a look on YouTube, that'll save a lot of faff and money.

I know it's not the same, but it's fine

I wouldn't stress yourself out too much, though. For me, it all went out the window once I was in excruciating pain labour haha

Lauren83 · 27/07/2018 08:45

I went on the ones at hospital, was a waste of time IMO, nothing you can't find out googling anyway, good luck!

YeTalkShiteHen · 27/07/2018 08:46

I’ve never been to classes, and had 3 pretty straightforward births (DD was breech which was a bit hairy but all good in the end).

jellomello · 27/07/2018 08:51

Yes, my first was premature and arrived before we started classes, I didn't bother with my second either.

My attitude was to go with the flow and follow the advise of the medical professionals in the room with me at the time, they know more about the situation than a class or google could ever tell you.

Spanglyprincess1 · 27/07/2018 08:53

I did the hospital class. It was okay but mainly at keeping me calm as the instructor was very nice.
My birth was not great and the class didn't help, baby was in distress early in labour and labour was less than three hours. Lots of stiches needed and surgery due to the speed of delivery but the baby was safe. So I'm not sure classes make much difference tbh! The pain you forget instantly it's really strange tbh and kinda wonderful.
There are online breathing videos etc you can watch on YouTube which are also good.

Ihatexbox · 27/07/2018 08:59

No classes as they were too inconvenient in either time or location and gave birth before we had wifi at home so couldn't look up anything either. Every labour and birth was different and what I found the most comfortable with one was the most uncomfortable with another so just went with what my body wanted. Your midwife should be giving you important information regarding pain relief options etc and they should help with your breathing but honestly labour is something you just need to get through so listen to your body and do what works for you. Good luck!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 27/07/2018 09:00

No classes here, was too ill throughout pregnancy. You'll be fine, midwives are amazing and talk you through everything x

dannuh · 27/07/2018 09:02

I didn't go to any classes either, it is my first baby.

Didn't have a birth plan either. Any midwife you have will go through anything you want when at the hospital.

And don't be scared to ask lots of questions no matter how silly they sound! :)

mizu · 27/07/2018 09:04

No classes here either, gave birth to both of mine nearly 2 weeks over.

happymummy12345 · 27/07/2018 09:05

I did. I didn't want to go to any anyway. Didn't feel I needed to. I knew everything my mum had done, apart from giving birth as she had c sections. So I just said I'll try it her way and see how it goes.
My husband was overall very supportive during it all. I had a long early labour, and he was great. The only thing I didn't like was that when I was in active labour he kept saying he was tired because he'd been awake the last few nights I'd been having contractions. If he was tired how did be think I felt? And he went out for some 'fresh air' because they I had a pethadine injection so I could rest. His excuse was you were asleep so I went for a smoke. Resting or not i thought he was wrong to go.
But other than that he was great.

mizu · 27/07/2018 09:05

And like a PP said, no birth plan either

Butterflyrosebud · 27/07/2018 09:07

I learned nothing in NCT that I didn’t already know or could have found out online.

The only thing it was good for was meeting other Mums with the same due date.

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