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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

A moan about antenatal classes!!!

19 replies

first1 · 07/01/2010 09:13

Can I just let off a bit of steam please?! I just called the clinic to book my classes. My baby is due mid May and so was advised to book the April classes. The course runs on 4 consecutive Mondays. But I got told by the snotty receptionist that as the first Monday of April is a Bank Holiday and thus they wont be able to hold 4 consecutive Mondays they may not be running any classes at all that month! (Apparently the thought of running one of them on a Tuesday or Wednesday etc is just ridiculous). So I asked if I could join the March course, where I'd be 29 weeks on the first Monday of March but she said I wouldnt be far along enough. Ahhh! This is my first baby I'll cry if I have no classes!

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bigpreggybelly · 07/01/2010 09:20

Try NCT instead - their classes are brilliant.

Aok · 07/01/2010 09:22

That's crazy! Does your midwife have any input at said clinic? I would shout loudly and make big issues - if they can't offer you April (obviously Tuesday is a preposterous day for classes ?!) then surely they have to offer you March.

Harness the rage induced by the hideousness of pregnancy and let them have it!

brockleybelle · 07/01/2010 09:23

First1, contact the manager, perhaps in writing. If that doesn't work, go higher. Completely ridiculous. Antenatal classes are so important.

Original poster

first1 · 07/01/2010 10:20

Thanks for replies everyone. I'll definitely play the arsey hormonal pregnancy card! Will call my MW and see what she says, otherwise I'm just gonna turn up to the March lot and let them sit on it!

OP posts:

Fibilou · 07/01/2010 14:09

My antenatal classes were a total waste of time and didn't cover anything I didn't already know - and it's my first baby too. Didn't even get notified about them till 32 weeks.

There's no point in getting "hormonal" with them, they're used to dealing with pregnant women so you won't frighten them in to compliance.

I'm afraid you either have to accept what is offered free on the NHS and stop moaning about it or put your money where your mouth is and pay for NCT ones

gizzy1973 · 07/01/2010 14:48

I am 40 weeks with first and not been to any classes as times just didnt work and i refuse to pay for nct classes
Am sure i will be able to give birth fine - when he decides its time lol

Original poster

first1 · 07/01/2010 15:02

Fibilou - I wouldnt say I'm "moaning" thank you. Fact is NOTHING is being offered to me on the NHS at the moment and I cant afford to pay for NCT

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RubyLovesbeingPreggers · 07/01/2010 15:04

So glad you said that gizzy1973 cause I havent had any either and its not looking likely that I will go to any ante-natal classes. This is my first baby too and I was worried that they might be all at me for not having any but I have since been told that wont be the case.

My midwife never even mentioned a/n classes until I asked her at my last appointment and she just told me to turn up!!! Which Im not so sure they would have been too pleased about, tried to call them and line was constantly engaged.

Been doing as much research as I can on my own and been talking to lots of relatives about birth/labour etc so Im ready to wing it!

LittleHarrysMum · 07/01/2010 15:12

Another one here who didn't go to any antenatal classes with either of mine and they both came out fine

Read the books and talk to other mother/m/wife etc. and you will be just fine,

Good luck & congratulations

Original poster

first1 · 07/01/2010 15:14

Spoken to MW and she's registered me and all the other May mums-to-be at the clinic for the March course when I'll be 29-32 weeks so I'm happy

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PennyScotia · 07/01/2010 16:24

I had my first NHS antenatal class this week and I'm 29 weeks. I don't think it makes much difference once you're into the third trimester. I'm also doing the NCT ones - I think they have a sliding scale of fees for people who want to attend one of their courses but can't afford it.

Glad you got it sorted and hope you find the classes helpful

PootleTheFlump · 07/01/2010 18:27

Glad you've got it sorted. I am pretty sure that the NCT try to help out those that would like to attend a course but have financial constraints, it may well be worth enquiring.

brockleybelle · 07/01/2010 20:07

Fibilou, you also need to consider the fact that NHS classes are free and NCT, for those of us on lowish incomes, cost a fortune. I would love the opportunity to attend an NCT class but we don't have the money. I find your comment unhelpful and narrowminded.

lucy101 · 08/01/2010 07:28

I went to the NHS ones... and found them not particularly helpful actually... in fact even a bit scary (didn't like the very bossy midwife taking them). However they did familiarise me with the hospital and equipment which might be useful. I also paid for NCT ones but because of work commitments I have now had to cancel them but I am going to do 2 one-day workshops at birth centres whose ideas I am drawn too..

I really think there isn't much you can't learn though from a handful of the very good books out there (or even just on the web). They are so cheap secondhand on Ebay and Amazon marketplace and you can always sell them on if money is very tight. I have found books a lot more comforting and useful than some of the out of date info. and horror stories I have heard from family and friends!

I think you need to ask yourself what you actually want to get from your classes. If it was meeting others for example you could always just join the NCT and attend the bumps and babies coffee mornings etc. (that's my plan now).

I would just turn up in March anyway as it sounds like that is what you want to do.

babyicebean · 08/01/2010 07:41

If you have trouble affording the NCT classes contanct them as they DO offer reduceded rates depending on circumstances.

Original poster

first1 · 08/01/2010 09:44

The money isnt so much of an issue.It's the principal. DH and I are both on good salaries but we've just bought a new house and would rather not blow money when it's really not necessary. The NHS offer classes to all mothers so it just wound me up that because of how a stupid Bank Holiday fell on a particular day that they decided not to offer them over April which to me is ridiculous. But as I said, I've sorted it now and will be going to the March course. I dont think I should have to pay for NCT at all when the classes are out there!

OP posts:

stressheaderic · 08/01/2010 11:39

first1 - I completely agree with you, the idea that they drop the entire course because of a Bank Holiday is preposterous.

My NHS ones consist of 4 sessons starting at 32 weeks, the first one should have been last night but was cancelled due to the snow - the midwife phoned me and said they would try to tack it on to the end...if we haven't had our babies by then!

And I too don't want to pay for the NCT ones, both on a good wage but would prefer to spend the £200odd on things for the baby.

LittleSilver · 08/01/2010 13:06

I can honestly say that nothing was taught in antenatal classes that I didn't already know.

mistlethrush · 08/01/2010 13:13

I booked in for the nHS ones and also signed up for the NCT ones - ds is 4.5, but when I signed up there was definitely a disclaimer on the fees saying that if you couldn't afford it, to contact them.

I learned so much from the NCT classes - to the extent that when things went off track from preferred waterbirth (decided before I went to the NCT classes) option, I felt able to make informed decisions, and was at least aware of pros cons and any issues - made me feel a lot more in control of the whole process (which ended with an emcs after 34hrs...). And the bf class was excellent and helped dh help me ensure that ds was latched on etc.

Found the NHS ones significantly less helpful in terms of the level of detail and the information I wanted to know.

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