PP- my BGF at the time told me that and it always stuck with me... lol its so true!
As for the OP's question... we learnt that there are VERY nasty and old fasioned midwives out there.. took two classe's with this one and never went back!
The antenatal classes I went to would have to be the biggest waste of money! I cant believe I paid for them... Honestly, I didnt really learn anything useful and I dont think I would have been any worse off without them. It was all very clinical and hospitally talking about birth as a medical event. They werent particularly pro-natural or anything. They did show massage techniques, not that DH even used them though - I dont think he touched me at all.
I went to hospital run classes - I'm sure a private run class would be better. I see youre in Sydney AliBaby, I have vaguely heard of a place in Rozelle or Balmain or somewhere near there than runs antenatal classes completely indepenent from hospital.
some private midwives also offer in home, private classes (this came as part of the homebirthing with my midwife for us) but you dont have to homebirth to have private classes - AND lots of health funds cover this!
best thing we learnt? too much to list, but i doubt we would have had such personalised classes at a hossy
(we havent had our bubs yet...but i've had some flulse labour pains...)
What was the most valuable things that DH and i Learnt at Birth classes where:
- changeing nappys
- active labour possies
- that the teacher midwife we had was FANTASIC!
- to trust our bodies, and to listen to them
- If you feel like screaming turn it into a mone and use that engry to push harder
- Watching DH go sqweemish over new born babies poo! (thats for me )
Our Birthclasses where really good. the teacher we had was very pro-natural birth. she was also VERY realistic with the sounds/noises/actions we'd most likely assume, so we got an idea of what we're in for...
1. That my ex husband was an inconsiderate moron;
2. That I do better reading books and talking to experienced mothers than listening to a nullipara talking rubbish about how losing one's mucus plug is absolutely a sign of imminent labor.
3. That the emphasis on "PAIN" and "PAIN RELIEF" starts well before the first contraction is ever felt.
I bet you can tell that I was a real delight to have around in antenatal classes Maybe I just got the wrong ones!!
It has actually put my mind at ease that Dp and I are not doing the classes at the hospital. I actually asked my midwife about them and she said they were a bit of a waste and for her to say that to me I sort of thought that I wouldn't be missing much.
I feel like I learn so much more from everyone at BB.
I do like the tip about asking for 5 min to think about something and how to push.
I already know how to change nappies and hold a newborn. And I relly dont think DP needs to see a birth video from the 18th century! If anything I can show him one on You Tube. I am actually going to get him to have a chat to a mate of his whose wife just had a baby as i think he will get more out of speaking to someone who has been through it and knows how to be supportive.
Cass- thanks for the PM. I think the hypnobirthing will be a much better option for me and DP.
Question- what is the difference between hypnobirthing and calmbirthing? They sound similar.
Ali, if your midwife told you the classes at the hospital are a waste of time, then I think that speaks for itself...
I agree with Toomanytoomany. At the classes I went to, the midwife asked everyone what they wanted to know about. There was about 10 couples including us, and I remember 8 of them saying "i want to know about the pain relief option and the drugs", one couple said "tell us about c sections" and I said "I want to know some good ways to manage without drugs, some breathing techniques and good positions to push in so I dont tear"... Needless to say, because everyone else wanted to know about drugs, thats what the midwife talked about most.
Ali, I'm really not sure what the difference between hypnobirthing and calmbirthing is... it does sound similar to me also. I can only vouch for the hypnobirthing - Mongan method. Just a side note from something our hypnobirthing practitioner told us... don't listen to the CD from the book too early on... something to do with there are certain relaxation/visualisation techniques that you shouldn't do until closer to due date.
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If anything I can show him one on You Tube. I am actually going to get him to have a chat to a mate of his whose wife just had a baby as i think he will get more out of speaking to someone who has been through it and knows how to be supportive.
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