Antenatal Classes

CdoubleU

Hi All,

Just starting to wonder about the Antenatal classes, i'm based in Wex and my partner is likely to be unable to attend one or possibly two of them.
Is it common for the partners to go to all 4 they have here? The first class he is likely to miss is about the pain relief etc but could also end up missing the last class with 2nd and 3rd stages of labour and caring for newborn?
Is it going to be an issue do you think or should be fine? Even changing the dates for them don't help!
Any advice or past experiences with the classes helpful!
Thanks

dori_dormer

We never went to the hospitals classes. Honestly they are quite important. Especially the pain relief ones and if your partner intends to be involve in the birth. If your birth is easy and straight forward then he'll be grand but if there's complications he won't know what to say or do to help you.

On my first we did a private class for about 100 euro. Was 3 hrs and was just as informative as the hospital one, plus the lady could go into detail on aspects that affected us or we weren't clear on. And we got to pick a time that suited us.

Due our second in a few weeks and did a gentle birth antenatal class this time. Was a little over 300 euro, so expensive, but worth every penny I think and really gets the partners involved and confident in their role in the birth process.

scarepanda

I'm doing mine through the hospital. There's 5 in total and apparently partners are only welcome to classes 4&5. I don't know what's covered in each class though

PLL

Did absolutely none on first pregnancy (moved county and new hospital was all booked up) we got on just fine.

With regards to complications - you could be straped to a continuous monitor unable to move at all. Nothing you or your partner can do. Midwives told him how to help and he did it, told him he was very helpful as some Dad's just think it's all staying up the top end coaching mom. My partner was holding my legs open whilst they did oxygen prick tests. To think some say romance is dead

angeldelight

Similarly we ended up missing our antenatal class and can't say we had any issues - I was private and had consultant had an idea how I felt about certain things and was very good at discussing things with us etc. As for caring for the baby the midwives, healthcare assistants and instincts took care of that

olaola

I would say they're essential, you need to know your options. Things have changed in the 2 years since my first and I'm really glad I did my refresher classes. Hospital policies and options vary and it's good to know what's available.