Pregnant ladies - did you/do you go to NHS (parentcraft?) antenatal classes?

mancitychick

I have 3 children and have never attended any of the classes. Then again other than writing epidural and underlining it, my birth plans were blank.

I think it is really down to midwives not having the time now, as to why yours hasn't discussed options with you. When I had my first 14 years ago, the midwife had more time for/with me than when I had my other 2 in the last 6 years.

mancitychick

shellsuit wrote: »

All births were fine, all vaginal and I didn't need stitches for any of them, as the best piece of advice I was given (by a friend), was that when you're told to STOP pushing, STOP (so that you don't tear.)
.

Same here, and I agree it is the best piece of advice. When they say Stop, stop. Pant if need be, that's what midwife No 2 & 3 got me to do when. Said please please don't let me tear!

mildred1978

I signed up for them at my 12 week scan.

The wonderful NHS then forgot to invite me to attend. I was 38 weeks by the time they realised.

Luckily we'd done NCT classes. I just arranged to go and see the hospital (planned a home birth but it didn't work out that way).

I heard they were full of teens and not really up to much.

mildred1978

LegalBlonde wrote: »

, I presume she meant NCT but I looked and their classes for people due when I am are long gone

I wouldn't worry about that. The eldest baby from our group is 3 whole months older than my son! They left it late and we went early!

anguk

shellsuit wrote: »

I've had 3 children and didn't attend any parentcraft classes.

All births were fine, all vaginal and I didn't need stitches for any of them, as the best piece of advice I was given (by a friend), was that when you're told to STOP pushing, STOP (so that you don't tear.)

Even though the pain was awful, I remembered that with all 3 births.

I don't know what I could have been told in a parentcraft class, than I hadn't already read, whether that be leaflets, notes, books, magazines or on the internet.

Same here, in fact when I had my kids I don't think there was such a thing as a birth plan! I was quite surprised when my friend kept her own notes when she was pregnant a few years ago and she had to take them to all her anti-natal appointments and to the hospital when she was in labour, I didn't have anything like that.

RadoJo

I did NHS classes - they were very helpful in terms of learning about the options for pain relief, what to expect when you actually go into labour and there was a special 2 hour class on breastfeeding which was really interesting and helpful. I agree that midwives don't have the time to talk each individual through the various options which is probably why they would rather you went to the classes so that you are better informed when it comes to knowing what you're after. For example, I was quite keen on the idea of an epidural until I realised how restrictive it is to be wired up for anaesthetic, with a heart monitor, drip and catheter all connected, and learning that did make me more determined to try and go without if possible. I didn't actually do my last class until 12 days before my due date and did my birth plan (which didn't amount to much to be honest) the next day so if you can get to the classes then you will at least have an idea of what you want which will be the basis of your birth plan whether it gets written up formally in your notes or not.

seafarers_wife

I didn't bother going as I tried to book for classes in August, but they were all fully booked till December. Really I should have booked straight away when told by the midwife but wasn't aware how limited the places were. Was offered a place starting a week before my due date which i ended up cancelling as was booked in to be induced.

I'd read the books, watched the programms, had my mum and hubby as birth partners so at least one of us had experience of it and the way I figured it, if the midwives wanted me to do something a certain way they would tell me rather than moan at me I should have gone to the classes.

nonnatus

I think the whole Parentcraft idea is just another box ticking exercise for the NHS. I've seen it from both sides, having once run antenatal classes and twice attended in my pregnancies.
If you're a first time mum, the chances are labour is not going to be a quick job in the back of the car as you speed to hospital, you may well have a lot of time on your hands .

You will have a midwife to care for you, and even a really busy midwife should have 20 minutes to answer the sort of questions you may have in mind about labour and delivery.

And I never did understand why ladies wanted a tour of the labour ward in advance of their visit! You don't get a tour of the theatre if scheduled to have an operation or anything do you? So why make 20 preggy women shuffle round a ward awkwardly, looking at things they won't remember anyway

glimmerofhope

I went to the first of ours on Tuesday for 2 hours after work.
To be honest personally I found it of no benefit as they seemed to think everyone is in the same position will healthy babies we know ours may need some intervention after birth and they didn't discuss anything not in a book or on these forums. However I did want to find out about labour and birth etc and discuss our personal circumstances not in a room of 12 strangers and have found a private mw. She charges £60 for 2 hours. I have spoken to her initially on the phone and she seemed lovely.not very mse I know as the NHS classes are free but when you leave home at 6.50am and then don't get back till nearly 10pm its a long day for us pregnant ladies so to us its money well spent.

mildred1978

nonnatus wrote: »

And I never did understand why ladies wanted a tour of the labour ward in advance of their visit! You don't get a tour of the theatre if scheduled to have an operation or anything do you? So why make 20 preggy women shuffle round a ward awkwardly, looking at things they won't remember anyway

I wanted a home birth partly because the thought of being in hospital was stressful to me. Knowing where to go and what it looked like meant that I was less worried about the "what if" scenario. As it happened I did end up with a hospital birth (and in theatre) and was glad I'd been to see it first. For example, I wouldn't have dreamed that it would be upstairs!!!