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

[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