Antenatal classes - please help!

[Midwifery2020]

Hiya, I’m currently in the process of creating an antenatal education course and would love some of your ideas!
Please could you take 2 mins just to give me your thoughts!

1. have you ever been to antenatal classes? If so, did you go with just your first child? Or did you go when you had second/third/fourth children?
2. are there any topics that are really important to you that you think should be covered in the course?
3. what would be your preference in terms of weekdays or weekends? (Also thinking about if you would want your partner, friend or a family member coming with you)
4. what would be your preference in terms of timing of the classes? Morning, lunchtime, afternoon or evening classes? (They’d be 2 hours approx each for 6 weeks)

Thank you so much for your time xx

Hi,

I did an antenatal class with my first, I was abroad and was the kind of NHS one but spread over 10weeks. Was useful and learned a lot.

With my third I did one that was specifically to VBAC moms, as my second baby was an emergency c-section. Was useful.

I only went myself to the classes and was ok, my husband always worked and I preferred him to have a day off for a scan or similar.

Preferred the morning ones as after lunch I would get so tired and wouldn't follow well.

Breastfeeding lessons were good, learning about labour and contractions, also some relaxation techniques.

Don't intend to do any now as pregnant with my fourth. I could probably teach one by now, ha ha.

1. Only the one child so far. I probably won't do private classes if I have more. I would try to do NHS ones though.

2. Caesarean sections, emergency procedures and pain relief. I know it's scary stuff but I'd sooner be forewarned and have someone experienced to talk about with, rather than Googling and reading nothing but horror stories. Or worse, only hearing about it for the first time while it's happening.

3. Weekends preferably or evenings. I would want to bring a partner with me as a FTM.

4. If weekend, afternoons. If weekday, evenings. Allow people the opportunity to have dinner home after work at the very least. But 6 sessions of only 2 hours is a bit much. Especially as you might have people travelling 30mins+ per session. I would sooner have 4x 3 hour or 3x 4 hour. Or even one monster 6 hour session on a weekend and 2x 3 hour sessions during the week.

Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s so valuable to hear from real mums!

@R2D2abc I bet you could teach them!! Thank you, the breastfeeding, labour and relaxation content is within the courses so that’s excellent. Thank you!

@Dyra Would you consider free charity-run classes or only NHS? Totally understand the need for discussion of high-risk care - this is also included in the content!
Would you have childcare sorted whilst attending antenatal classes or would you benefit from a crèche facility?
I totally understand what that 6 2-hour sessions may be a lot for those that are travelling, however these sessions will all be within 5-10mins walking distance of the people invited so hopefully will solve this problem!

Thanks again!

Please if anyone else reads this, I’d love your feedback too!!