antenatal classes
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31663
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Topic: antenatal classes
Posted By: Athrawes
Subject: antenatal classes
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 12:27pm
| My antenatal class only lasts 6 weeks and only has a week on the actual birth. The rest is on what not to eat, post natal depression and post birth stuff. I asked about breathing and got short shrift from the midwife like it was a silly question, she just said "you know how to breath, don't worry". If childbirth is so easy and fuss free then why do other places have classes on natural birth, breathing, techniques, oiling your bits, mobility etc etc. I just want to be as in control as I can be. I am in a fairly remote area and this is the only class there is, so another class is not an option. |
Replies:
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 12:58pm
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I guess the only way to find out what it's like is to go along and see... My antenatal class was rather similar - 6 weeks, one week birthing, one week eating, one week this, one week that, etc! But we were quite lucky in the sense that our tutor didn't mind us asking questions and if everyone in the class wanted to focus on something a bit more then we could do that, if you get what I mean? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Richie
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 12:59pm
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The antenatal class we went to was over 6wks, 2hrs every Tuesday. We didn't cover breathing or anything like that either to be honest. We got given a flyer showin little diagrams on 'positions' that may help during labour but both our antenatal tutor and my MW have both said that there is no point covering that sort of stuff cause everyone is so different and you don't know what is going to be comfortable until the day. Apparently it just comes naturally when you are in labour and you will do whatever feels right. I guess I'm gunna have to believe them on that one! I didn't find our antenatal class overly great, didn't really cover much. Had one day on labour and giving birth which was basically watching a video and looking at pictures, a day on breastfeeding, a day on how to get baby to sleep and settled, and to be honest, can't remember what else! I've actually learnt more on this site and on other websites! Other people may have other experiences but that's just my opinion. -------------  
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 1:31pm
Isnt it a bit late to do a eating class? How far along are you Athrawes? I'm 18 1/2 weeks and only starting to think about antenatal classes...
------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com"> 
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Richie
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 1:53pm
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MindyW - I hope you are booked into an antenatal class........ I booked mine at 6wks and we were the last couple allowed in cause they were pretty much fully booked already. We didn't get taught anything about what to and what not to eat in our classes. -------------
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 1:53pm
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Lol thats what I thought too MindyW re the eating, tbh we didn't actually cover that at our class, but like Lisa, ours was a 2 hour class and we got HEAPS of handouts. Was also told the same thing re breathing too!
ETA It does pay to get in early with the classes too, ours were pretty full, I booked in at 15 weeks and usually they have about 6 couples per class, but they had to make an exception because our class had 13 couples !  One couple from our class only made 2 classes because they left it too late and were 36 weeks when they started!!------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 1:56pm
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That sounds about right... ours covered what happens during labour (obviously if varies from person to person and that was kind of the point... nothing you read in a book is set in concrete), pain relief - pro's and con's, breastfeeding, basic at home with baby stuff... swaddling, bathing, essentials for baby, labour positions, short massage for bp to do if you want it. what you expect from your bp and what your bp thinks you want (that was interesting, our hubbys were way off LOL).
We didnt do breathing, that is lamaze and misconception that it is all antenatal classes. Most important is to remember to breathe, I kept forgetting LOL. If they tell you not to push pant.. you cant physically push while you are panting... We got told that at antenatal. I was told that between contractions I was marching on the spot and during a contraction I was making big circles with my hips but I dont remember doing it so it must just happen.... Ours was pro natural and really good... in fact our CBE is going to be one of my support people at this next birth. -------------   
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Posted By: Athrawes
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 3:19pm
| Oh well. At least it is everyone and I know now that I am not missing out on some great educational/informational thing by living in the sticks! Thanks everyone. |
Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 10:49am
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Ah crap! Better go and try and book a class ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 11:53am
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Oh I haven't booked classes... Was figuring we'd talk to midwife about that at next appointment... But thats on the 25th, ages away!
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Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 12:48pm
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HB I would get onto it before your next MW appointment...
Your local Parents Centre normally do good ANC (but cost about 200$), or your local hospital (generally free, but have heard not as good as the Parents Centre)... ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 2:38pm
| I booked mine with Parents Centre and only did it last week, and I was 25 weeks then! I guess it all depends on where you live. |
Posted By: BayGirl
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 3:27pm
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I have booked into classes and there is like six classes and 2 seperate one off classes one for breast feeding and one for massage and positions and breathing during labour. The latter 2 are optional.
Quick question: Do you know if you go to the classes allone or with DP/DH?? I know they are alloud to come to all but is there some classes which are better for DP to come to than others?? BEcasue i can imagine poor DP getting quite bored with it all and i was just wondering if some are better than others for partner participation?? -------------   
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Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 3:40pm
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CHC books out really really quickly and they have like 20 couples to a class ours was huge with Josh and i booked at about 12wks and was about 30ish wks when classes started as thats the earliest they put you in.
In invercargill its completely different there isnt a big rush to book in and the classes are much smaller as my cousin is doing hers now and is only about 25ish wks and booked in a short while ago Every city is different. Ill do AN classes again because i miss my AN group from chc a few of them started a coffee group and still get together and i wish i had that down here as for what we learnt in the class i found it eased my mind at the time but when it come down to being in labour i wasnt thinking about much at all and DP that i did the class with and could have been reminding me to do things etc wasnt in town at the time. -------------   
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Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 4:29pm
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WRX that sounds good, I might not have to worry about it then!
When do you plan on doing AN classes? Your not that much further behind me, do you think we'd end up in the same classes? |
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 4:29pm
Ooh, also (I'll thread jack now) DH recognised your name, from Chris talking. He thinks he's met you  Not sure if you would have met any of Chris's friends, but he's Matt anyways..
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 4:33pm
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DH's coming to ours, he actually seems kinda interested, so I'm maximising on that
I booked in in Ham at about 10 weeks, and I got the impression I didn't really need to book that early (glad I did, though, I'm all for getting things out of the way). It probably does vary a lot from city to city. -------------   
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Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 5:11pm
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Im going to talk to MW Ange about booking in next time i see her (she takes one of the classes so was hoping to get in that) Would be cool if we could get in the same class Emz from my Jan thread with Josh was in my class last time and we still catch up when im in chc.
Not sure if i know your DH or not will check out your FB. He does look kinda familiar did he go to hargest as well? -------------
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 5:23pm
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HunnyBunny, the AN classes run by parent centre down here are good and FREE ------------- 
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I'd book in pretty soon thoughPosted By: shellgirl
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 7:05pm
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I just booked in today and got the last slot in my area at Parents Centre. I'll be about 25 weeks when we start, which may be a bit early, but the next lot of classes ended on my due date which I thought was cutting things a bit fine ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 7:32pm
If you can bothered parnell still has room - birthcare. Im doing a refresher there and they have breastfeeding one off classes too if anyone is interested Only first time mums are subsidised though for antenatal ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
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MindyW wrote:Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 17 February 2010 at 12:42am
If you can bothered parnell still has room - birthcare. Im doing a refresher there and they have breastfeeding one off classes too if anyone is interested /QUOTE] Thanks RJ  but might be a wee bit out of my way since I'm in Palmy North ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com">
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 17 February 2010 at 10:26am
Let me know when you book in and I might ring up? I'm pretty sure there is classes out at Winton but not keen on driving out there for them, my midwifes out there but I don't mind driving to see her! Yeah hes a hargest boy, same year as Chris. He was a lot skinnier back then though
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 17 February 2010 at 10:39am
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I started mine at 32 weeks abd missed the last class due to giving birth that day
I definately think your DP/DH should go if they plan to be present... things that he can do should be covered. I did parents centre ones and they are great  -------------
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 17 February 2010 at 11:26am
Sometimes they split the class in 2 for certain exercises, my dp got bored in some of the classes, but came to them all. In the end it's up to you but I know at the class I went to people always came as a couple - guess for support plus didn't want to miss anything
You would def want do to be at the optional class on massage/positions though! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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