Please can someone tell me what happens at hospital antenatal classes? Mine's tonight and I think I'll feel uncomfortable.

[mumblesmummy]

Hi

I'm sure people will have asked this before but I'm going to my first antenatal class tonight. It's not the surestart one, it's the one up at the hospital as our SureStart Centre is closing down.

My DP and I have only ever seen it on comedies when it shows getting up and talking about yourself, crouching on the floor in surreal scenarios and breathing in front of loads of people.... these are all things that will make us absolutely CRINGE.

Is this really what it's like? I just want to see the birthing pool, check I'm prepared, and that's it.

It's four sessions, one each week this month.

Does anyone know much about them? Is it worth going? Will it be embarressing? And will it be full of chavs?

is it an AND partner one or one just for you

I thought ours were fantastic and met a whole lot of lovely people who am still friends with 5yrs later

the 'and partner' ones not so much as I wouldn't say things infront of other people's partners that I felt comfortable asking in a group of women

they're meant to be informative and you'll get out of them what you put in, if you don't enjoy them don't go but make sure its not through nerves - it might be worth your while

DH and I went to a series of these. There were no.. "activities". We might have gone round at the start of the first session and said our names and when we were due, but that was about it. The rest consisted of a series of practical talks by the midwife, passing around practical items such as forceps, ventouse etc., and having the opportunity to ask questions. Not at ALL touchy feeling (if it had been DH would not have made it past the first session, trust me)

oh, and the attendees will inevitably reflect the catchment area of the hospital (chavs comment is a bit ). which for me meant that I was old enough to be the mother of most of the other attendees. And I was mid 30s, so that was saying something.

Ours were very helpful, informative and actually a lot of fun.

Most people who attend are usually first-time parents and all probably feel a little nervous - it's normal!

All we had to do was introduce ourselves and give our due date. The midwives did the rest with some input from the 'audience'. I am still friends with someone I met at antenatal classes nearly 3 years ago.

Sounds good, I don't want to do the touchy feely thing. It is a me and partner one so hopefully they'll do it even less touchy feely. I'll probably be too shy to ask questions myself, but it'll be nice to hear what others are wanting to ask, and hopefully my questions will get answered that way.

Sorry about the 'chavs' thing but I must say, they do make up most of our catchment area and they pop out babies every two minutes so I've a feeling there'll be quite a lot and I'm very uncomfortable around them.

No activites in mine, we were just talked to a bit. It varies between hospitals, but I have to say I didn;t find them tremendously useful.

am going to say something I'll no doubt regret - but if that is the majority in your catchment area do you really think they'll be bothered to go

I live in a part of scotland with one of the worst teenage pg rates and there were NONE at my classes, the midwife stated that even had trouble getting some of the younger mothers to go to their antenatal apts

Mine were split into practical and touch-feely. The touchy-feely ones were a bit obvious as they had titles about breathing and massage in labour. My top tip is to ask lots of questions. Asking the first is a bit daunting, but after that you're just the person who asks questions, it does get easier. There was a lot of glossing over transition at mine, and I wanted all the gory details!

I went to the class last night.

Dizzy- No one can jump on you because not one turned up.

There was only us, 1 other couple, a young girl and her mum, and a lady on her own. It was really nice and they didn't make us do anything embarrassing. Although she went on about how we should have packed our bags by now and I've not even bought the stuff for it yet!! (I'm only 30+3)!!

We get to view the labour ward next week and she promised she won't do any touchy feelyness.

Thanks all

oh thats brilliant, I really did get a lot from mine and hope you do the same