12 to 24 week pregnancy thread

kerri_dfw

Free NHS ones, but nct you pay for. Everyone I've spoken to has remained friends with their nct group for many years

mincepiemonster

Don't worry squ1rrel5 , there are usually NHS classes available for free. The NCT (or National Childbirth Trust) is a charity that runs courses which tend to be more in detail and happen evenings/weekends. They are more focused on a geographical area, for example all the 8 couples who were on ours lived within 5 miles of each other. They are a lovely way to meet people. There is financial help available if you can't afford it. The NCT website www.nct.org.uk has lots of info. The classes are not for everyone though as some regional branches have quite strict outlooks such as no pain relief in labour, and can be anti-formula as opposed to simply pro-breastfeeding. It's worth looking into but the NHS classes (ask your midwife for info) should be more than adequate! Hope this helps x

Faerie

My cousin has put me off NCT. She's very.. um opinionated shall I say? She cornered me last week, not to pass on her congratulations but to lecture me in the 'proper' way to bring a baby up. Anyone would think she was the one who discovered breastfeeding the way she was going on! He husband offered to buy us the classes as a gift but said we'd have to travel to the same one as them. I think I've become a pet project to them! I have politely declined for now.

Congratulations on the house TeamLowe, fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

Hugs to those that need them, especially MrsBunny.
I could do with some today too, my grandad passed away early this morning. He had been ill for a a long time but it was still a shock. At least he isn't suffering anymore It is sad but a relief too, if you know what I mean? My husband isn't home until 9pm and I just rang him howling on the phone, I couldn't get my words out so he thought something was wrong with the baby.

kerri_dfw

Big hugs Faerie ((hugs)) we're here if you need to talk. My grandad passed away back in November after being ill for a long time, even though you expect it there's still a big hole left where they once were. Thinking of you and your family at this time xxx

TeamLowe

lots of love to you and your family Faerie, take good care of yourself x

SmlSave

Big ((HUGS)) Faerie, I'm sorry about your grandad. Do you have family, friends that can keep you company until your DH comes home?

I'd highly recommend the NCT classes although they are pricey. In our area the only NHS option is a 2 hour Q&A session. The NCT doesn't just cover the birth but dealing with family, housework etc... I can honestly say that if I hadn't had the NCT support I would have given up breastfeeding in the first weeks with DS, having the local bf consultant come to my house to help and talk to me on the phone was a life saver.
DH so did not want to do the NCT classes but ended up finding them really useful and he still meets up with the NCT guys every couple of months for a drink.
I'm still in close contact with the NCT girls 2 years on too. We are trying to organise a spa day soon!

Sorry about the NCT promotion

faithhope

Lovely to see all the bumps If I put mine on it would fill the screen, it's getting sooooo big!:o

Mrs Bunny - hope you're having a better day today. Hugs to you and huge hugs to Faerie xx

Hooray for house completion TL! It's so stressful isn't it?

Some NHS classes can be a bit skewed towards natural childbirth too. I thought it was a it unfair to all the first time mums at the class I went to as they played down the pain so much e.g. You get a bit of a tightening feeling in your tummy. I'm 100% pro choice but I think women should be allowed to make an informed choice. My DH asked me if the pain was like stepping on a plug??!!!???!! Eh, Noooooooo, it's not darling:think:

Saw the consultant today and after moaning in advance that I would probably just get to see one of the team I did get to see her and she was lovely. I get an extra scan at 34 weeks cos I'm an oldie. Plus she said she wouldn't let me go to my due date so would get induced at 39 wks if I haven't gone already (had DD2 at 38 wks). :T
That will stop my 2 1/2 day latent phase of labour while I was at
home with no painkillers. Consultant said cos I had such a big gap between my daughters it was like being a first time mum again so this time should be quicker. 2nd ones just pop out or so the theory goes hmmm :cool:

mincepiemonster

faithhope my husband still moans about the "shockingly painful" spot he had on the inside of his nostril when I was in labour ... he complains that he "knew I wouldn't be sympathetic" if he mentioned it so had to "soldier on"... I am constantly impressed by his manliness.:rotfl:

Faerie I am so sorry to hear your news. Big hugs to you xxx

MrsBunny hope things look brighter this morning. My hubby is 6 ft 2 and I'm 5 ft 1 so we had similar issues with finding a pram with the right size handle. I'm off to have a nosy at the Orb now!

TeamLowe

faithhope regarding the pain, I had gallstones and had to have my gall bladder removed and have heard from several sources including my mil (3 children) and my midwife's anecdotes that the pain of gallstones is worse than the pain of childbirth, which is oddly reassuring as i coped with that, never even went to A&E with it like everyone else i've spoken to so fingers crossed it's true for me as well, I'm clinging on to that idea to keep me calm! lol

SmlSave

Some NHS classes can be a bit skewed towards natural childbirth too.

I agree with you on this faithhope But I still think they are worthwhile.

Gallstones sound horrible TeamLowe, I'm hoping I never get them!

Everyone's experience of childbirth is so different, my friend had one contraction and begged for an epidural while another who was sure that she'd want to be drugged up to the eyes managed with just gas&air.

Lol at the painful spot MPM