Ante-natal classes - NCT/ NHS/ Birth Resource Center/ hypnosis etc

[christiana]

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Usually the NCT ones cover things in much more detail, are smaller groups, and can be a good way to meet people in your area. Designed to be very empowering and teach you to make your own decisions based on the facts.

The NHS ones are usually very short (maybe 2 hours total), often large groups, and are normally in the day. The one I went to was very brusque - but that was the mw (didn't go to more than 1 session as I had the baby early)

You don't get baby care stuff in either.

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NCT you pay for (quite a lot now I think) but they are good quality. Usually a small group (there were 4 couples in mine held at the facilitator's house so quite cosy). The NHS ones at the hosp where I train are pretty good and have about 15 couples attending, the midwife who runs it is lovely and very into natural birth. They even bring in a real live baby to bath which is a nice touch I think. Partners are encouraged to attend all classes, they are mostly held at night or intensive ones over the weekend. Book really early for whichever you choose though as they fill up really quickly. A good way to meet other new parents too. I would encourage anyone to attend so that they are familiar with the whole language and technology of 21st century birth and are less likely to be 'persuaded' into interventions they may not need...

The NHS ones I had consisted of 3 classes of 1 or 2 hours each. They covered the pain relief available in that hospital so were helpful in that sense - e.g. they told you about how many birthing pools they had, what to do when you go into labour (practical things like stick a note in your car window and where to park so you don't block ambulances etc). They were free. They also included a tour of the delivery suite, which was beneficial. It might be worth doing them anyway just so yu get to see the hospital and get a general feel for it iykwim.

I didn't do NCT ones because of the cost and the NCT that covered my postcode wasn't really my local NCT . I do think that I maybe should have done them though as they seem to be a very good way of meeting other mums. My SIL did them (completely different area) and meets up once a week with her group still.

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Hypnobirthing is not an ante-natal class, I did it and personally thought it was great but you will only learn about hypnobirthing you will not learn about other forms of pain management.
If you have already got a circle of friends with similar aged babies then I would recommend NHS and Hypnobirthing together, if you are looking to make friends then I would recommend NCT and Hypnobirthing.

The Birth Resource centre is FAB. Wish I lived closer. Was at a workshop there recently and I so wish I could go there more often.

Assume you've seen their website?

Daisy, a fellow doula, helps runs some classes and I know some of the others who are members of AIMs and/or are MWs or are homoeopaths so there's a fantastic range of experience.

Notice they have an International Pregnancy Get Together on Fridays....

Don't let their' touchy feely'ness put you off

if your local NCT has refresher classes, they'll probably be quite loosely structured, as the mums will have a big say in what they want to talk about, and time wont' be wasted on eg baby care if you're all happy with that (which presumably you are!). Probably more about debriefing first birth, and what you want from next, along with things like sibling rivalry, and coping with a toddler and newborn. But it can be subsidised if you are on a lower income. Worth enquiring.

I did NCT and NHS.

NHS - What is available in that hospital, their policies, some discussion of pain relief pros and cons, breastfeeding chat, child oral health chat (our area has worst teeth in country apparently),tour of ward and how to get in out of hours, good-bye and thanks. Was on a Saturday, no lunch or room to eat it provided, so no oppurtunity really to speak to anyone. Very midwife led. Also covered 3 months of due dates.

NCT - More relaxed. Teachers provided the basis for detailed, open discussion on all sorts of birth things - bf'ing, chemical pain relief, positions, lots of role plays, what dads can do, managing expectations, nappies, lots of baby care stuff - nothing I didn't learn at hopsital or from books really, BUT - made soem fabulous, like minded friends, with nwo with babies born within 3 weeks of DS. Also, role play of CS really prepared me for my em cs.

I benefited from both tbh.

thanks very much for this