Antenatal classes - help?

Well, on the topic of paying (and I know it seems like alot) but The Parents Centre do run them, you do pay, but you also usually get after baby follow up classes (baby and you, toddler times etc) and you get a free bi monthly parenting magazine like little treasures. I have found them to be an excellent source of resources (books, advice, information and support) as well as putting you with great coffee groups.

In saying that, though, you still get good support from other (free) community groups like plunket, etc.

Hope you find what you ae looking for!

Im with a specialist and he suggested birthcare! UGH...
wil try the parents centre...I think there is one in papakura not sure about eastern suburbs...must be one around...will try tomorrow...

Also been told of Mama maternity? anyone heard of these classes? are they ok?

ok have rung parents centre too - ummm next classes in MAY!!!
and local midwives have none at all until MARCH!!!! one may be putting on an extra class so we are wait listed...
I mean what about the people who have just found out they are PG - yu may and June mummies better get in quick too...this is nuts - I am going to have to wing it cause i cannot get into any class before FEB when we are likely to have bubs....!!!
AARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH - guess i will be forced to dish out even more money to have private antenatal class!!!

i never went to any classes cause I was in Japan both times, and I was fine. i kinda wished I had done classes - meeting people and curiosity really, but i figured too late!

My sister didn't go to any antenatal classes and she had no problems with coping with anything.

I agree with most....if you dont get in it is fine. Yes you get to know the different stages of labour, birth etc...but dont you know that already, from general and on here? You think you are late, I was 27 weeks when I tried to get in and they were all booked! I called the medical centre next to Rainbows end (opposite Westfield)..and thos they were full...I did my oh no what am I going to do in the teary voice...and she said ok I will try and fit you in...and she did.

Try them! Dont know the phone number I am afraid!

I haven't been to any antenatal classes. Having said that, my Mum didn't want me to have Kiya without some idea of what was going to be happening so she talked to the midwives at Waikato Hospital and got the name of a woman who did private classes. This lady (sorry, can't remember her name) came to our place and basically gave me the short version in a couple of hours, covering what our bodies go through during labour and delivery, and she also lent me a couple of videos of women giving birth to give me some idea of what to expect. She was a homebirth specialist, and an advocate for non-intervention as much as possible... I got lots of information from her, but I didn't feel overwhelmed. Normally, she charged for this service, but for us she only asked for petrol money. I guess she didn't want a 20yo firsttimer to feel out of control!

Maybe your specialist or some of the midwives out there (like hospital ones) might know of someone similar in Auckland who could help?

with my first I only did a refresher course as i left it too late - wasn't worth it but I guess put my mind at ease more. I did one this time around more for my husband than me (this is my third hisfirst) I must admit I even learnt somethings. Hubby felt most of it was good but got bored towards the end, was good for dads to get together though.I think he is more relaxed about being at the birth now as he was a wee bit stressed about it. now as for places that do it as I live in taranaki doesn't help you up there but I did ours at parent centre and it was free. my friend did hers through pregnancy help - although this was a 2 day full day course so partners working couldn't go. ours was monday nights for 6 weeks.

Yeah same and the food we ate at the last one