How necessary are antenatal classes?
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Topic: How necessary are antenatal classes?
Posted By: Lexidore
Subject: How necessary are antenatal classes?
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:10pm
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I'm looking at antenatal classes at the mo and the reason for the thread is that i'm not sure its going to work out that we can go as DP works 3 nights a week and I work 1 night a week, I don't really know that I have anyone else I could take as a support person either. So are they totally necessary? What are the major things that you learnt while at yours, could I learn these things in other ways? Any input is much appreciated. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:25pm
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I wouldn't say that it is about what you learn, but who you meet. I didn't know anyone who had kids or was pregnant when I was having Amy so my friends from my A/N group were invaluable. Most of us were in the same boat and 3 years on and 5 of us are still meeting nearly every week. We talk about ALL sorts of stuff - nothing is too personal anymore!!
We also have a girls dinner every couple of months and try and have a weekend thing for the boys to come to as well. -------------   
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Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:33pm
I also felt that there wasn't much to learn that you don't learn here on OB, but I really enjoyed it because it really involved DH. Personally if DH couldn't have gone with me I wouldn't have gone. Mostly because I am so shy and had no intentions of joining an AN group 
My best friend didn't go to the lessons, just told her mw she wasn't doing them so her mw just covered the basics with her about birth. breastfeeding etc. -------------   
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Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:34pm
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my main reason to do them was to meet first time mums who would have babies around the same age as mine.
I cant even remember what we did in ours. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:37pm
| I went, learnt nothing new and didn't meet anyone I've stayed in touch with so really unnecessary for us anyway. We did it because we felt it was what you do first time. |
Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:39pm
Ditto to this, I moved to Welly when I was pregnant and didn't know anyone or have any family here. |
jaycee wrote:Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:49pm
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We were all booked into antenatal class, but then Chelsea decided to be born early, 4 days before the first class! I was panicking that I didn't know anything about babies, but you'd be surprised how much it actually comes to you once they are here (well, apart from that first night in hospital when I kept pushing the buzzer everytime I wanted to pick her up, till someone pointed out "she's your baby, you don't have to ask permission to hold her!" hehe)
So in answer to your question, I didn't find the classes necessary. In hindsight I'm quite glad I didn't learn about certain things before going into labour  ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 3:49pm
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We only learnt a little bit but we are with parents centre so getting a little bit more out of it like baby massage cpr etc. We do have a coffee group every week but atm with babies popping out its hard to get to etc. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Sassy
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:10pm
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I know some do intensive classes, maybe two saturdays I think, if that works better for you. I'm planning to go to some purely for meeting people I think, as none of my friends are remotely ready to have babies so it'll be a little lonely I imagine. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:30pm
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We were booked in to do hypnobirthing classes but not regular AN classes. We went to two before Callum decided to make an early appearance. The HB classes were great but I don't think they were absolutely necessary or anything. There were 2 other couples on our course and I see one of the mums occasionally at Mums & Babes yoga now but we didn't try to keep in touch or anything.
I was lucky two of my close girlfriends were pregnant at the same time as me and I've met a couple of great groups of mums since through things like baby cafe. One of those friends decided not to do AN classes at all, she had to have an elective caesar so didn't bother. And she did just fine! She had lots of help from her mum when she first came home with bubs and I think she just worked things out as she went along. :) ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:31pm
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I have also been looking into them with the same concern as DH works pretty long hours and the classes are from 6.30 - 9.30pm, which will be a really long day for him. They also do them on a weekends so we will probably go with that option. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:44pm
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Thanks Ladies for all your responses, Although it would be nice to be able to do a coffee group afterwards I figure I still have OB meetups to look forward to.
chickoin, i also don't really want to go without DP as i think that would be the only way we would get the most out of it. There doesn't seem to be a weekend option in Lower Hutt unfortunately, the way i see it though i seem to learn a heck of a lot from OB anyways and can probably get some tips from my MW like you said Chickoin. I think it will end up that we wont end up going, just be aware there may be a lot more threads started up by me asking more questions!!! LOL -------------
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Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:44pm
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I found them reasonably informative, but this is going back 6 years now, and I didn't have the internet then. These days you can research what you want to know on the net. I'm glad we went, I thought it was a great way of involving Dh, as he wouldn't read pregnancy books, or research about it on the net. Also we did have a coffee group for about a year afterwards, which fizzled out, but I still keep in touch with one of the girl's whom I clicked with.
I've heard they do weekend sessions so you don't have to go once a week for 6 weeks. Not sure if they do that in your area though. ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:47pm
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Also DP has been really good so far with researching and will quite often come up to me and tell me facts about what is going to happen each week to me and baby, and always seems really interested when i tell him facts aswell. I also read him out a story about Dads jobs during labour and he said to me that that was getting him really excited, so im quite lucky in that aspect. -------------
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Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:54pm
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You are lucky bex!
A friend of mine, her Dh was soooo engrossed in reading up on pregnancy when she was pg it was really funny to see. The first time they went to the MW, friends Dh read all the books that were given to them. I had to laugh though, it was like he was the pg one
Dh leaves it up to me, he helps make the baby, leaves me to be pg, and takes on his role once baby is here. ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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.Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 4:58pm
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I knew I wanted a c/section from day one so really none of it was all that relevant to us as the main part of the classes is about labor and natural birth. They barely touched on c/sections and when they did it was only in the emergency sense. It was still interesting to go. We are still in contact with a few couples from our class. They do teach you about feeding and routines which is quite relevant and something I hadn't really considered until the class. All the basic info about looking after a newborn in those first few weeks. But mostly it's about the birthing process. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 5:06pm
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The first one we went to the ex showed up drunk, completely shamed me out and we never went back!
I did fine I honestly think its more about having a confident approach with your baby  -------------   
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 6:07pm
| We are going, because I want to learn the things they teach you (I'm a data person - I like facts and figures and reading things) and also because I want to involve DH so that he can actually get a real sense of what is involved - he just doesn't want to be there for the birthing video!!! Anything I can learn is going to be hugely appreciated, because I'm freaking nervous about the girls actually arriving!! |
Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:14pm
| I found that antenatal classes with my first pregnancy were really great. I didn't stay in touch with anyone or even get to finish them, as Dom came early, but I found that they were quite positive and empowering, whereas a lot of the other information out there was just scary. I would really suggest going to antenatal classes and it is great if your DH can go with you because one of the things they don't tell you before labor is that you are going to be so involved in giving birth that you might not be able to verbally express what you want. So your DH needs to know what's happening, what's going to happen and what your wishes are concerning any interference, pain relief etc. Antenatal classes can give you all the correct info for giving birth in NZ |
Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:19pm
Thanks all I can completely understand why people are pro the classes, i'm just really not sure that we are going to be able to do them, There are not very many options in Lower Hutt and unfortunately there is nothing we can do about DP's hours. I will make some calls but unless i'm lucky enough to find that they are going to be run on Tuesday or Friday nights i'm just not sure we can do it  The other option of course is the weekend option but there doesn't seem to be anywhere in the Hutt that do this either.... GAH!-------------
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:21pm
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I didn't think they were very worthwhile ... they are so focused on the birth and I read soooooo much about that and had the midwife to ask questions anyway... Shame they don't focus more what to do in the early days as there seems to always be sooo much emphasis on getting through the birth and very little on baby.... just my experience
eta - mine was a long time ago so may have changed ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: fallen
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 9:34pm
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I hated my first classes. I was the only single mother there, it sucked! I didn't make any effort to keep in touch with anyone, though did end up reconnecting with a couple of ladies at a plunket coffee group.
This time round I ummed and ahhed about going. To be honest I'm not that keen, especially if I go straight for the elective c/s option. The only thing that tipped me in favour of going was DF's comment about how during labour hes going to sit by the bed reading a magazine and that will be his role during labour. Umm no. Plus if I end up with something along the lines of a episiotomy or vontousse, I'd rather he know what on earth was happening. ------------- |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 08 July 2009 at 10:24pm
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We started ours last week and found it interesting and informative. I did also know a lot about what the MW told us but I still enjoyed going. DH also found it relaly good too which was a big thing.
We have another class tomorrow and its all about BF which Im looking forward to as I dont really know too much about it. So Im hoping its going to be as good as last week if not better. ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 09 July 2009 at 10:43am
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I hated dragging myself along to them, but once there I found them rather informative. The one session we did on baby care was the most relevant for us, as I had never changed a baby before having DD. That covered bathing baby, swaddling, changing nappies - the practical things. Getting a coffee group out of it was the best part though. ------------- Two little girls under 2! 
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Posted By: bebebaby
Date Posted: 09 July 2009 at 3:38pm
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Hey bex. I am not sure if you plan on BF, or if you have already heard about the BF class that Hutt Hospital runs.
It could be a way to cover one topic that antenatal classes talk about. It is a half day class ( I think) that is run by the lactation consultant. You could maybe do this? It is very PRO BF tho. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 09 July 2009 at 7:30pm
| oh if that class that runs at the hutt hospital is anything like the ones they run at chch hospital - it was well worth it. Ours went for four mornings though (most women went once they were on maternity leave) and was fascinating information. Im a real information junky though lol. I actually spent the week at the hospital as i was there mon through thurs for the breastfeeding classes and then went into labour on the friday then didnt go home til monday. It was also a great way to get familiar with the hospital - i hate unfamiliar places |
Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 09 July 2009 at 8:06pm
My dh didn't want to watch it either but he did well when he did
You still do learn some informative things and pregnancy help does weekend courses. ETA I went with my last pregnancy as dh first (my 3rd) and I learnt things BUT we had an awesome teacher who was a physical theripist (sp) too and she was great talking about everying - dare I say bottle feeding and cotton nappies (Huggies supported the classes so she shouldn;t of ) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
876 |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 8:40am
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Hey Bex, i did not do the classes, as I worked nights. I new quite a bit from friends, reading & working in a womans hospital. My midwife was great. My plan changed with my first one so the birth was out of my controll.
I think they are good for thoese who want to make friends, & want information in a group situation, but other than that they don't work for everyone. 
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Posted By: LadyLizard
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 9:03am
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DH and I are going, mainly because we want to meet people (some friends of ours are already doing the same class too which is good) and its nice to do something together and get him involved.
Would you consider driving into wellington if it was for the weekend course? I know they have them there. Sounds like you can pretty much get most of the info you need elsewhere though so I wouldn't stress too much about it. ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Leahsmummy
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 9:10am
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Well i learnt quite abit from them, i throught i already knew alot but nah!!! So i enjoyed them and it was a great way of dh involed in the baby.
We also meet once amonth both woman and men and the woman will usually see each other evert other week. -------------   
Angel Baby Dec 09, We will love you forever. |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 10:46am
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i thought i replied about this...i didnt find them that great..the only thing i really go tout of them was about pain relief which came in very useful an one very good friend..so that was cool(thought there was between 16-23 couples in our class)
our birth video was very short and more women were squeamish..lol:) I really would have rather learnt about positions for labour and what to do once he was here as i felt very out of my depth and didn't know much about what to do then.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 3:16pm
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We learnt CPR for infants- so that made it all worth it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 3:26pm
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Man Im more confused than ever now!!
The wellington idea sounds good but it sux that I wouldn't be able to tour the hospital where I would be birthing. CPR for infants is great that you learn that, I did a first aid course just under a year ago where I learnt that though so Im already pretty clued up on that. I don't have anyone else to go with If i do decide to goto the classes, Except maybe my MIL but I think I would sooner jump of a bridge than go with her. (sounds uber harsh but she is driving me nuts at the moment) The BF class sounds like a good idea though will give that a thought. Also the weekend one you were talking about LadyLizard, is it one you have to pay for? I don't want to pay for Antenatal classes, Just because I have had to have a lot of time of work due to my chronic MS and I have no sick pay so don't wanna spend money on classes that could go for stuff for bubs. Thanks for all your opinions, anymore are greatly appreciated as well -------------
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 3:28pm
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Also is there anyway to go and see the hospital if I'm not doing the courses? -------------
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 4:37pm
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kate that would have been worth it we learnt nothing at all about after birth except how to bath them:( ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 4:51pm
Bex, I did a full first aid course less than a year ago (compulsary for being a primary school teacher), but i was silly and didn't pay much attention to the infant part...was not planning to get UTD so soon 
Naughty me! Well, we didn't learn how to bath a baby....hope it's not too hard! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: LadyLizard
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 5:43pm
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I think the weekend courses are run by the same people (parents centre etc) who do the night ones, so probably are free?
I don't know all the details, sorry! Check out the parents centre website. Maybe you could just ring the maternity ward and ask them if you can have a look around, or ask your MW if she can help you in that regard. BF classes- a friend did them and said they were worthwhile. I am not going to bother as we are doing AN classes and my MW is a lactation consultant too so that should be enough I think (hope!) ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 5:55pm
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Hmm I thought the Parent Centre ones costed, thats what I've seen on their website. -------------
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 12 July 2009 at 8:37pm
| I found the parent centre baby and you course that you go one with baby once they are born way more useful- its weekly for 4 weeks I think and they have other courses as baby gets older too. We started when Isla was 3 weeks old. I didnt keep in contact with anyone from antenatal class, but did with the 4 other mums and babies from the Baby and You course- I kinda feel that the antenatal classes prepare you only for something that at the worst is gonna be like 24 hrs of your life, and its gonn happen one way or another wether u done a course or not, - more useful to get info on how to look after the baby for the rest of its life! |
Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 13 July 2009 at 10:28am
| I didn't do any classes, but I researched as much as I could on the internet and in books, and also asked friends what they did in the classes. I also bought http://www.kidsgear.co.nz/Classifieds/help-im-having-a-baby-dvd/ - this DVD for the benefit of DH, who could never be bothered reading anything! It was very informative and covered some things I hadn't already thought to read about :) And yes, it's for sale :) |
Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 13 July 2009 at 10:33am
Up here the hospital runs maternity ward tours every first Saturday and Wednesday of the month (I think), I imagine most large hospitals would do something similar. Give them a call. ------------- Two little girls under 2!
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Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 13 July 2009 at 3:35pm
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Hey Bex, sometimes i meet my/our midwife at the hospital for appointments if she is busy there so maybe you could ask her to have one of your checkups there and then give you a tour if you are not going to go to the classes. Im sure she would do that if you asked ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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