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Exactly ShellBell.
We did all of the positions as well, but DS came so fast that I ended up lying on my back with my body doing all of the work. Positions be sort of ceased being relevant to me at that point. As it would for those who have had a ceasar. I was panicked and scared, but because of the good background my support person was legendary.
Lana the newborn stuff is good to. Maybe more reference to how you may feel afterwards. I felt like I was in a black hole I didn't get out of until DS was about 12 weeks old. No one really told me about that. I wasn't depressed as such (I think I had a mild case of PND), I think I was mourning the life I had before where I was free to do what I wanted when I wanted. A light switch eventually went off in my head and the little elf in my brain said, "you wanted this baby, you idiot, get over the life you had and accept what is in front of you!" I did, and it's been all plain sailing since then. People tend to think of PND as something where you're sitting on the bathroom floor with a knife ready to slit your wrists, but it can come in many different forms. That is my personal experience, others have other experiences. Either way you look at it a newborn in the house is certainly interesting when you're standing there thinking, "What the heck do I do now?"
Newborns are pretty basic creatures. They need heaps of sleep, need to eat a lot (and rather slowly) and often and just want their mummies to hold them 24 hours a day. Pretty confronting when you've lived in your own world for so long. If they don't get these things (or they suffer from colic etc) life can get very difficult and your relationship needs to be strong to get through it together.
Ramble, ramble, ramble.......
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I only went the first time, and didn't learn anything new - BUT that was no fault of the class. The ante-natal classes I attended were really good and covered everything! It was just that by the time I went to them I had already researched all the information or learnt it from BB before I got there. My hubby found them very informative and I am considering going to some classes now with our third, not for myself but for my DH who doesn't know as much as me and who has forgotten some of the basics but doesn't want me lecturing him.
I think how much you get from a class can depend on how much information you are going in there with. The classes have to cater for those who don't know anything, so those who know a little can sometimes feel like they aren't getting anything out of it. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) those who visit BB do tend to be better educated about birth then the general populous and as a result may not get as much out of the class as others who don't go online.
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Something that I think is glaringly absent from hospital antenatal classes is an explanation of informed consent.
It would be great if women and their partners could have this explained to them. To be told that decisions are always theirs to make and that they can't be forced to do things they don't want to, or accept treatments that they don't understand. That they can ask questions, and have a right to reasonable answers. That they should never be subjected to procedures, tests, pain relief or examinations without someone asking for - and receiving - their express consent.
They should also be walked through what will happen if they do say no to something - because many couples agree to things they aren't happy with because they just don't know what will happen if they say no. They don't want to risk that. The hospitals should explain to them what their policy is when treatment is declined.
Ok I'll stop there :)
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Hi Nurse Dan
I think that letting us know how painful it will be in labour would have been good and they types of pain that we experience. I didn't realise how strong they would be and they scared me silly! By the end of my course I was so scared of giving birth I didn't know what to do and DH was even worse for me. I think having options for calming techniques for those who haven't really read about them (so wish I had found BB before my first bubs!) and details about how you feel in different stages would be good too.
There was a lot about what physically happens but not about the emotional reactions that we can have.
I think that is all so far. I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as i log off!
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but i guess my feeling on it are..... birth is a limited thing...one way or another you will get your baby after say 24hrs.... your breastfeeding relationship could go on for years...
more info on breastfeeding would be great and where to find support
good luck
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Thank you all so much for your suggestions. They are fantastic!!
THANK YOU for you input. I'm taking it all on board. If you still got more idea/suggestions please feel free to add them.
