Antenatal classes - what do you learn?
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Category: Pregnant
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27198
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Topic: Antenatal classes - what do you learn?
Posted By: T_Rex
Subject: Antenatal classes - what do you learn?
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 10:48am
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We've signed up for these, and they start in a couple of months, but I was wondering what they teach you. I know they cover labour/birth, and hopefully we'll get a tour of the hospital, but what do they teach you about caring for the baby once its here?
DH seems to think we'll learn everything we need to know at these, but I thought they just covered the very basics. Its a 6-week programme. What did you learn at yours? Thanks  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 10:56am
| I didn't think antenatal classes really taught you much about looking after the baby once it was here, except the basics like breastfeeding, and swaddling, and probably how to change a nappy... I'll look forward to reading this, as we are going to miss most of our classes seeing as they don't start until the end of July. |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 10:59am
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I did mine through Parents Centre and we covered things like positions, pain relief pro's and con's, what we expect from our partners.. what they think it will be like. What could happen during birth and types of intervention and their possible outcomes.
We had a tour of the hospital and session that covered breastfeeding and one that covered "at home with baby" ie bathing (a real live baby), swaddling, hazards, making cots/bassinets, things we need and those we dont, settling techniques. Not sure what the hospital ones are like but ours were very pro bf and very pro natural birth. Enjoy them! -------------   
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Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 11:46am
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I did mine through the local hospital. We learned baby CPR, got a tour of the hospital, and were taught a lot about carseats. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: Ella1
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 11:58am
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To be honest I forgot most of the thing I learned at antenatal classes. But I really enjoyed mine, we covered labour, and drugs, and bathing baby, swadling baby (the rest I can't remember).
The very best thing though is the group of people I met there, we've become quite good friends and meet up weekly, which is just awesome! |
Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 12:11pm
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I did mine at the hospital here and really liked them
Here is a rundown on each week... 1. Plunket visit (what they do and tell you what you need, how to make up a bed etc) 2. Pregnancy- the type of tests and what to look for if there could be a problem. 3. 'Normal Labour' what is expected to happen and when to call your midwife. 4. Physio and Drugs: Physio person came and taught the men how to massage us. Drugs information and a tour of the maternity ward. 5. Interventions in labour- c-sectrions and ventouse etc. 6. Caring for baby (this in next week, so not sure yet). I don't think any class will prepare you fully for a baby. I have never even held a NB baby nor changed a nappy...I'm sure I will just do what I need to do and if I have questions when the time comes, there are lots of people you can ask! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 12:29pm
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Ours were pretty crappy, I didnt learn anything that midwife couldnt tell me to be honest.
They needed to teach you more about caring for a baby, not labour and stuff. ------------- |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 12:42pm
| I didn't really learn anything fantastic. With regards to looking after bubs all we were taught was how to fold flat cloth nappies which was honestly a complete waste of time. I found the stuff on labour good but that was about it |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 12:53pm
Thanks girls. I'm mostly doing them for the labour stuff, and also to meet some locals, as I work out of the area and so don't know too many people here. But I shall let DH know that we do need to do our own research as well  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 1:04pm
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We did a natural course at birthcare, it was really more about labour and pregnancy rather than how to look after baby at home. I would have liked to have more info on what to expect at home but oh well find out soon enough! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 2:04pm
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Yup, DH got taught how to massage me during contractions.. he was quite good at it and I liked it.
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 28 June 2009 at 3:26pm
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We did ours through Parents Centre as well. First session we missed as DP was best man at a wedding but they went through the stages of labour etc. With Parents Centre we will also get a 6week baby and you course when bubs is born where it covers baby cpr, massage, and other things which i cant remember lol. Its expensive but worth it. Its all about community and that sorta thing and where to find help if you need it. I'm also from a parents centre family so was a little bit biased lol ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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