NCT antenatal classes

So the liitl'un is due in May and Mrs. S has signed us up to the classes but I have no idea what to expect other than learning to pant or something.

I am totally clueless so would appreciate some input from those who've been there!

Thanks

[dizzyblonde]

Ante natal classes.......


Having two children without ever stepping foot in one, I can safely say, they are the biggest crock o sheeeite going. . . reason being, they can teach you all they like....but it all goes out of the window when you have yer legs open and screaming blue murder...


Personal choice, upto you.

But then I'm not exactly normal, I gave birth to my first in three hours ten minutes with not so much of a wiff of gas and air, spent the three hours in deep meditation.....learnt myself many years ago, a technique they wouldn't teach in an ante natal class, by some woman on a latex ball bouncing around giving breathing techniques in a patronising voice.

You can expect to learn about a whole range of relaxation techniques for labour and birth, pain relief options, basic massage for mum and baby, probably a bit of anti-intervention stuff (how to say no to the "evil" doctor). you'll probably get a lot of information on caring for mum and baby in the postnatal days, probably a lot of breast feeding information.

the really cynical part of me wants to say you'll get a lot of hippy types there, and a lot of middle class types. (No idea which group you might fall into, no offence meant!)

I would advise that you and your wife go to you local midwifery run classes too. NCT tends to err on the side of "uber-natural" (which I support, but it isn't always a balanced presentation of events)

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Ante natal classes.......


Having two children without ever stepping foot in one, I can safely say, they are the biggest crock o sheeeite going. . . reason being, they can teach you all they like....but it all goes out of the window when you have yer legs open and screaming blue murder...


Personal choice, upto you.

Have to say I disagree with that - properly run antenatal classes have massive benefits for lots of people.

You certainly are in no position to give "informed consent" "when you have yer legs open and screaming blue murder..." so from that point of view if you have at least a basic knowledge of what forceps or an epidural are and why they might want to use them you can at least have a level of information about your choices that you might not otherwise have been privvy to.



But like you say each to their own.

Yep well worth it for pain relief choices at the very least- not everyone is lucky enough to have quick labours, my first was 36hrs then the next two under two each, so worth seeing what all the options are.

[dizzyblonde]

Most women have already given their consent by the time they get to the screaming blue murder part.

On the same token, you can find out 'basic knowledge' without stepping foot in some class. Your midwife 'should' give you all the information, books, leaflets, and answer any questions along the way of your pregnancy....if they don't and have missed out the basics of what goes on at birth, they aren't very good.
Its either that, or I've had good midwives ten years apart.

Nobody can teach you how to have a baby, mothers can give accounts of their experiences, and they are probably the best people to ask.

Nobody can teach you how to be a mother either.

Only ever do the midwife led classes, that way you might actually get to meet your midwife before she is peering between your legs going 'oh yes you 're coming along nicely, only another few hours to go'. I found the midwives very informative about pain relief, not judgmental in the slightest, they told us about all of it and left the choices to us. We also got to meet a woman with a newborn baby (she scared the living daylights out of us, the whole passing a watermelon stuff).

The most important thing is to go to something at the place where you will be giving birth because if like me you go into labour in the middle of the night you need to know where the entry button is to get into the maternity wing of the hospital. We did no breathing stuff or anything 'hippy drippy' at all, just straight forward information about things like what you actually need to put into your hospital bag, sanitary towels (sorry boys), nappies, baby grows and a really good book.

Good luck and don't panic, by the time you get to have the baby you will be so desperate to get it out that you will be willing to go through anything.

I have had two and like many millions of women before and after me I have lived to tell the tale, if it was that terrible women would only ever have one baby each and the race would die out.

Many midwives use antenatal classes as just that - a social gathering for mothers to share events and experiences.

They do give information, leaflets and books along the way, but the "class" might offer up questions or scenarios that people hadn't considered in their own thoughts. In a course of maybe 8, 20 minute appointments over 40 weeks you dont have time to do all the routine stuff and give detailed accounts of birth and all the possible nuances, options and possible consequences of every possible action. Another reason why we use antenatal classes.

And consent and informed consent are totally different - given the litigious nature of obstetrics these days you cannot just assume that a woman will know the risks and benefits of all the possible procedures.

I'm not saying they work for everyone, as you say - no one can teach you how to be a mother - but a little information and a little input does work wonders for so many people. It also offers people a chance to meet people from the local area who then form a support network for each other.

to the OP I wouldnt write off the midwifery run AN classes, or NCT, go along to both, make your own minds up.

[dizzyblonde]

I know one of those 'middle class' types(actually she isn't but thinks shes superior) who go to those classes, into all things new age and clap trap. Can't fight her way out of a paper bag, so needs a something to make her feel secure having her first child, mid thirties.
Funny thing is....she turned round and interrogated a friend of mine about not going to them, made her feel like it was something bad not to have gone to classes.......poor lass is no expert of course, having three children!!

I have never said it is bad to have never gone to a class, different things work for different people. As your acquaintance and friend found out. I would never dare to suggest that someone who has one child knows less than someone who has had three. They may have different experiences to draw upon.

The psyche of someone in their mid 30's having their first baby is very different to that of someone who had their kids in the 20's, or even their teens, it is equally different for those who have their first child in their 40's or for those who have a large age gap between children. You cannot say that classes are a "crock o sheeeite" if you've never even been to them.

What worked for and interested you may not work for others.

I would certainly advise people to attend, and will continue to do so in my practise. I believe the benefits outweigh the negatives for most people.

I do believe NCT are a bit too far to the anti-intervention, "fluffy" stuff which is why I advise people to try both if they wish.

Midwife led classes are often free, and in my opinion more realistic of what your local hospital will have on offer as they are probably in there or in contact with the unit most weeks.