What was the most valuable thing you and your partner learnt at antenatal classes?

[Dansta]

(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...

[Toomanytoomany]

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!!

[AliBaby]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

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.

Thanks again for all your honest opinions.

[Karina]

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.

[AliBaby]

Karina- what you wanted to learn about is exactly what I want to know.

[Karina]

Well I wanted to learn it, but it seemed that no one else really did! So we learned about epidurals, pethidine, gas... a little bit on massage which DH didnt seem to retain in his brain, rupture of membranes.... and a little bit on induction.

Acually, I did learn something new at the class! - to have lots of sex late in your pregnancy because it can bring on labour because theres something in sperm similar to whats in the drug they use for inductions... or something like that!

[Kitt3n]

Karina- what you wanted to learn about is exactly what I want to know.

in that case hun forget the hossy classes!

read

new active birth
hypnobirthng - the mongon method
men at birth

gosh i cant remember the other one i read....

check out belly belly's on line store, i am sure you can get most of them there

GL hun, you really can do it without drugs

[BeautifulMadness]

that nothing ever goes to plan and that its ok

[AliBaby]

Thanks Kitten- I have the hypnobirthing- Mongon Method on my bedside table and the CD that goes with it. thanks for the heads up on the other books.

BeautifulMadness- My birth plan is to go in with an open mind as I ahve no idea what to expect. Thanks for your advice.

[Ozziehoffy]

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.

[AliBaby]

Thanks for that tip. Should I save the cd until I go into labour?

[Kailani]

Had our first class last night. Most valuable thing I learnt: When feeding, shove as much boobie into baby's mouth as you can, not just the tip of the nipple! I really didn't know that Apart from that, nothing! I learn more on here!

[Ozziehoffy]

Nah, you can listen before that Ali. I think like the last 4 weeks?? Crap... let me email my lady and ask her...lol. Will get back to you!! I will tell her you're too far from anyone to do the course but got the book

.... email sent to her