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Anti-natal Classes - Your thoughts
Just wondering what people think of anti natal classes?
I never went to any as I think that parenting really comes naturally and our grannies and their grannies all managed well without all these modern classes telling them how to wind a baby or change a nappy. My mum never went to any and she done a good job raising me and my brother
I think i'm doing a really good job and I've not read one book or been to any classes. My little one is 20 weeks now and she's been sleeping through the night since about 10 weeks, shes now on solids and she is as happy as a baby could be
The reason I ask this is because a family member has been going to these and has said to us a few times we should've gone as they got to watch a video of a birth and she now thinks she knows everything about labour. My reply to that was - my boyfriend has 2 kids with an ex - so i said he's already been to 2 births and still cried for 3 hours at ours because everything went wrong, so if being to 2 births doesn't prepare you then what on earth will!!! Dont get me wrong if she wants to do that then good for her but she shouldn't be telling us that we shoudlve gone and watched birth videos.
My opinion is, no matter how much you read or prepare nothing can prepare you for the pain wheather its a good or bad labour and I really cant even describe now to someone that hasn't had kids what the feeling is like because I've never felt anything like it in my life.
I never went to any as I think that parenting really comes naturally and our grannies and their grannies all managed well without all these modern classes telling them how to wind a baby or change a nappy. My mum never went to any and she done a good job raising me and my brother
I think i'm doing a really good job and I've not read one book or been to any classes. My little one is 20 weeks now and she's been sleeping through the night since about 10 weeks, shes now on solids and she is as happy as a baby could be
The reason I ask this is because a family member has been going to these and has said to us a few times we should've gone as they got to watch a video of a birth and she now thinks she knows everything about labour. My reply to that was - my boyfriend has 2 kids with an ex - so i said he's already been to 2 births and still cried for 3 hours at ours because everything went wrong, so if being to 2 births doesn't prepare you then what on earth will!!! Dont get me wrong if she wants to do that then good for her but she shouldn't be telling us that we shoudlve gone and watched birth videos.
My opinion is, no matter how much you read or prepare nothing can prepare you for the pain wheather its a good or bad labour and I really cant even describe now to someone that hasn't had kids what the feeling is like because I've never felt anything like it in my life.
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i didnt go to ante natel classes either and i remember when i went into labour my aunt said to me " just remember your breathing from the classes " i said but i didnt go to any classes lol so she told me to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth and that little sentence got me through my whole labour. i think if you make the choice to go to these classes then fair enough but i dont feel like i missed out or could have done something better if id have gone.
hi
i had heard the same and i remember when i was getting taken down to theatre this midwife kept going to me - copy me - he he he he he ho- i could've told her where to go with her he he he he hos. i told her i've got lung problems so was finding it hard to do 5 he's and a ho. i could only do 4 he's!!!
i was getting that mad with her!!! lol
i had heard the same and i remember when i was getting taken down to theatre this midwife kept going to me - copy me - he he he he he ho- i could've told her where to go with her he he he he hos. i told her i've got lung problems so was finding it hard to do 5 he's and a ho. i could only do 4 he's!!!
i was getting that mad with her!!! lol
You say everything went wrong with your labour and you have breathing problems.
I think that ante natal classes are fantastic places for meeting other mums to be; getting freebies; and getting great advice - all free.
In my mother's life time, there was a high incidence of still births and lots of babies died in the first few months of life. Lots of women didn't manage perfectly well in 'the good old days', sadly.
I think that ante natal classes are fantastic places for meeting other mums to be; getting freebies; and getting great advice - all free.
In my mother's life time, there was a high incidence of still births and lots of babies died in the first few months of life. Lots of women didn't manage perfectly well in 'the good old days', sadly.
Yes she was the wrong way round and my contractions stopped, which caused problems for getting her out. No class could've got her turned if a surgeon with a ventous and forceps struggled to get her out
I've made plenty of friends out of our island without anti natal classes. but as we live on a small island its easier for her to have friends as everyone knows each other or we're all realted
What sort of freebies do you get at classes? I've got loads of freebies through pampers, boots, aptimal and the bounty club websites and discount vouchers in the post
it would be interesting to look into figures from the old days to now a days. I definately agree with intervention if needed which all our grannies wouldn't of got. on our island there was no doctors at that time so the women would have the babies in their house with no medical help. Then they would be taken to the mainland the next day
When my Granny was born she was a twin and her mother and twin dies at birth and a neighbour carried her and walked miles to the next house to get help
I've made plenty of friends out of our island without anti natal classes. but as we live on a small island its easier for her to have friends as everyone knows each other or we're all realted
What sort of freebies do you get at classes? I've got loads of freebies through pampers, boots, aptimal and the bounty club websites and discount vouchers in the post
it would be interesting to look into figures from the old days to now a days. I definately agree with intervention if needed which all our grannies wouldn't of got. on our island there was no doctors at that time so the women would have the babies in their house with no medical help. Then they would be taken to the mainland the next day
When my Granny was born she was a twin and her mother and twin dies at birth and a neighbour carried her and walked miles to the next house to get help
doesnt the example of your granny show that things did go wrong in the good old days?
i went to parentcraft class which was a 4 hour class instead of multiple antenatal clases.
I found it interesting, you can ask questions, meet other parents to be, have a laugh, get your partners involved.
Of course it isnt going to give you the answer to everything but i found it really interesting to talk about what was available at my hospital, when to call hospital, how to cope at home in early stages and seeing a video did seem to help those there get an idea of what the stages are in birth.
your relative has obvously considered it well worth going, you consider it not and have coped without. If your baby wasnt presenting correctly then no antenatal class would help your labour but perhaps for some the advice given at classes can help get baby into correct position. Or maybe explain all the types of pain releif and which may make things harder for mother and baby during birth.
Nothing can prepare you for birth, youre right, but some like to have an inkling of what to expect.
i went to parentcraft class which was a 4 hour class instead of multiple antenatal clases.
I found it interesting, you can ask questions, meet other parents to be, have a laugh, get your partners involved.
Of course it isnt going to give you the answer to everything but i found it really interesting to talk about what was available at my hospital, when to call hospital, how to cope at home in early stages and seeing a video did seem to help those there get an idea of what the stages are in birth.
your relative has obvously considered it well worth going, you consider it not and have coped without. If your baby wasnt presenting correctly then no antenatal class would help your labour but perhaps for some the advice given at classes can help get baby into correct position. Or maybe explain all the types of pain releif and which may make things harder for mother and baby during birth.
Nothing can prepare you for birth, youre right, but some like to have an inkling of what to expect.
I went to classes and learned all about controlling pain. They gave me a false sense of security as I went in believing that I could manage, I was very calm. I was in for one hell of a shock! Both my babies were 'the wrong way round ' too and the pain was unbearable.
Quite frankly,I think classes are pretty useless,you can get more from books,and sitting round in a circle doing breathing excercises is embarrasing. Don't worry about your friends comments,there'll always be experts!
I think classes after the baby is born on how to care for them might be more useful and enable new mums to socialise as well.
Quite frankly,I think classes are pretty useless,you can get more from books,and sitting round in a circle doing breathing excercises is embarrasing. Don't worry about your friends comments,there'll always be experts!
I think classes after the baby is born on how to care for them might be more useful and enable new mums to socialise as well.
hi ganesh
thanks for your comments. you've explained my thoughts better than i can!!!
i like talking on all these forums about experiences rather than going to classes and getting told things from someone thats never had children... my healt visitor has no children and they're giving you advice on nothing they know about and just taking their knowledge from books.
i've found a lot of forums helpful and being able to discuss feelings before and after the birth, rather than going to classes.
what youve said is what I was trying to tell the person. that no matter how much you prepare nothing can prepare you for what can happen
i was fine on the day was all happy that the baby was coming, I cleaned the house, ate my fresh fish that had been caught for me, made my boyfriend lunch, went a walk then went to the hospital and even the midwife was like you'l have her in the next hour, the midwives changed shifts and i just had her as the first midwife came back on shift the next day
even my friend who is a nurse andhas had to watch real births said that even being there didn't help her.
i've had a lot of friends who have had babies this year and i've found it good just visiting them and discussing things between one another
thanks for your comments. you've explained my thoughts better than i can!!!
i like talking on all these forums about experiences rather than going to classes and getting told things from someone thats never had children... my healt visitor has no children and they're giving you advice on nothing they know about and just taking their knowledge from books.
i've found a lot of forums helpful and being able to discuss feelings before and after the birth, rather than going to classes.
what youve said is what I was trying to tell the person. that no matter how much you prepare nothing can prepare you for what can happen
i was fine on the day was all happy that the baby was coming, I cleaned the house, ate my fresh fish that had been caught for me, made my boyfriend lunch, went a walk then went to the hospital and even the midwife was like you'l have her in the next hour, the midwives changed shifts and i just had her as the first midwife came back on shift the next day
even my friend who is a nurse andhas had to watch real births said that even being there didn't help her.
i've had a lot of friends who have had babies this year and i've found it good just visiting them and discussing things between one another
so what youre saying is that talking to women that have given birth and discussing things online in forums is better than a class?
Isnt a class pretty much the same thing, having discussions (or the opportunity to have them, many women find websites easier to talk to)? all but one of my midwives had experience of giving birth and the same with my health visitors.
As i said before, its just going to be down to personal choice and if which format you like your information.
Its not that your saying you can go it alone without any information at all.
Isnt a class pretty much the same thing, having discussions (or the opportunity to have them, many women find websites easier to talk to)? all but one of my midwives had experience of giving birth and the same with my health visitors.
As i said before, its just going to be down to personal choice and if which format you like your information.
Its not that your saying you can go it alone without any information at all.
hi redcrx
i just find that with websites its easier to talk about it rather than in a class of people you dont really know. at least you still have your anoniminity when your discussing things like how sore your private parts, what the blood clots are like are and how things are healing, sex after a baby etc etc
i discussed it with my health visitor and doctor and all they said is give it time and to keep having baths with tea tree oil!!!! its been 20 weeks now. so need to start looking elsewhere for advice and forums are the best place for me
where as in classes not everyone has the same birth story so you can only discuss certain things. but on the forums thousands of people look and your bound to get someone with the same experience as you. out of all my friends thats had babies i'm the only one who went through, theatre, ventouse, forceps and a cesarean was nearly started. so i there isn't many folk i can talk to.
i also had to go to physio and there was a class of 6 mums who i didn't no and none of them had a birth like mine so the forums help
i just find that with websites its easier to talk about it rather than in a class of people you dont really know. at least you still have your anoniminity when your discussing things like how sore your private parts, what the blood clots are like are and how things are healing, sex after a baby etc etc
i discussed it with my health visitor and doctor and all they said is give it time and to keep having baths with tea tree oil!!!! its been 20 weeks now. so need to start looking elsewhere for advice and forums are the best place for me
where as in classes not everyone has the same birth story so you can only discuss certain things. but on the forums thousands of people look and your bound to get someone with the same experience as you. out of all my friends thats had babies i'm the only one who went through, theatre, ventouse, forceps and a cesarean was nearly started. so i there isn't many folk i can talk to.
i also had to go to physio and there was a class of 6 mums who i didn't no and none of them had a birth like mine so the forums help
"advice given at classes could help get baby into correct position" I think not redcrx.!
Also, I don't think that lack of antenatal classes could be in any way responsible for stillbirths and birth problems in the olden days,as you call them.Advances in medical science and natal care nowadays must be responsible for the improvements in death rates,surely.
Also, I don't think that lack of antenatal classes could be in any way responsible for stillbirths and birth problems in the olden days,as you call them.Advances in medical science and natal care nowadays must be responsible for the improvements in death rates,surely.
OK so what youre looking for is women to discuss similar experiences to your after the birth.
well then in that case of course the web is easier, it reaches worldwide instead of your town or village. Thats a lot different to a antenatal class before the birth where no-one knows whats going to happen.
well then in that case of course the web is easier, it reaches worldwide instead of your town or village. Thats a lot different to a antenatal class before the birth where no-one knows whats going to happen.
Some of the problems in the past were due to ignorance so whether ante natal classes or use of the web or talking to friends can be helpful in varying degrees for different people. The one word of caution is that you might not get accurate information from informal sources. I am sure there are some myths out there about childbirth just as much as about getting pregnant.
Nor does everybody start with the same level of knowledge. I am sure for some talking to an professional midwife or doctor is reassuring.
Nor does everybody start with the same level of knowledge. I am sure for some talking to an professional midwife or doctor is reassuring.
and again ganesh you've put my thoughts into words.
the reason my grans mum and twin died wasn't due to not going to antinatal classes or discussing things or lack of knowledge (my granny was the youngest of 7 children) it was the lack of medical help available to her for the birth, but in those days it was normal for the women to have the babies at home as there was no doctor surgery on our island way back then
i think that if i'd have gone to classes before the birth it would've been no use because i didn't know what to ask. i just went with the flow of things and what happend happend
my family member was also saying the teach you how to deal with still born babies which i find mad. i dont think there is any way you can learn how to deal with that
i like forums because its helped me know if my healing is normal and how other mums have coped with a traumatic birth or if there is anything i maybe should be concerned about
the reason my grans mum and twin died wasn't due to not going to antinatal classes or discussing things or lack of knowledge (my granny was the youngest of 7 children) it was the lack of medical help available to her for the birth, but in those days it was normal for the women to have the babies at home as there was no doctor surgery on our island way back then
i think that if i'd have gone to classes before the birth it would've been no use because i didn't know what to ask. i just went with the flow of things and what happend happend
my family member was also saying the teach you how to deal with still born babies which i find mad. i dont think there is any way you can learn how to deal with that
i like forums because its helped me know if my healing is normal and how other mums have coped with a traumatic birth or if there is anything i maybe should be concerned about
If that were true redcrx then it just proves my point how useless the antenatal classes were.I attended them all plus regular checks at the hospital and doctors and was never once told that they could do anything about the fact that my babies were back to front. The only thing they said was that it may be a very long labour,which it was!
If that were true redcrx I went through a lot of extreme pain unnecessarily and it makes me even less impressed.
If that were true redcrx I went through a lot of extreme pain unnecessarily and it makes me even less impressed.
i went to the antenatl class which i loved going to as was great for making friends didn't really teach me anything
luckily though i was only in labour 14 mins so weren't that bad and didn't need to know anything from the antenatal class.
biting down on my bottle of mineral water did more good for me than the bl00dy breathing exercises lol
luckily though i was only in labour 14 mins so weren't that bad and didn't need to know anything from the antenatal class.
biting down on my bottle of mineral water did more good for me than the bl00dy breathing exercises lol
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