Childbirth - it's not for the faint hearted! That unavoidable date with destiny plays heavily on the minds of many pregnant mothers, particularly if it's their first time. Birth classes offer you a way to tackle this fear and regain a sense of control over the situation.
Preparing For The Big Day There are a variety of possible benefits to going to a class. Learning about the process of labour and birth can help put it all into a manageable perspective. Similarly, physical and emotional preparation can also ease the passage of you and your baby's big day.
Classes also provide you with a good opportunity to meet other parents, make friends and talk about things that might be worrying you.
NHS Classes
The NHS provides birth classes free of charge. Because they are local you and your partner will get a valuable opportunity to meet other parents from your area who are also expecting. These classes tend to be run by your local midwife at your local surgery or hospital. Attending them will enable you to learn from a medically-qualified professional about the process of labour and birth and what to expect when your baby arrives.
Be prepared for a large class size. In some classes you could be attending alongside 20 or 30 other mums-to-be. This can create a somewhat school-like sense of formality, and may inhibit you from entering into a real dialogue with your teacher, or asking all the questions you would like answered.
NCT Classes The teachers of National Childbirth Trust [NCT] classes are trained (though not necessarily medically qualified) to guide you through an extensive number of aspects of labour and birth and provide support following your delivery.
Natural pain management, positions and breathing techniques figure quite highly in these classes, and you will be encouraged to see yourself as retaining control over the delivery, rather than resigning it to medical experts. However on a cautionary note: if you have a long, difficult or complicated labour, being too determined to go it alone can present you with problems. Setting yourself targets and wanting to 'succeed' in having a fully natural birth may make you feel under pressure when it comes to the actual birth.
The smaller groups (6-8 couples) make it easier to engage with the teacher and have more of your personal enquiries addressed. Another advantage is that class hours are more flexible, making it easier for a working partner to come with you. However, as these classes are likely to be less locally-based than NHS classes, you may find travelling onerous as your pregnancy progresses, and you may have difficulty keeping in contact with the other parents you meet during the course. You also have to pay, although reduced prices and free places are available in most areas.
Active Birth Classes
The Active Birth Centre runs classes that provide informative education combined with emotional and physical preparation for birth and the early care of your baby. The physical preparation they provide is yoga-based exercise throughout pregnancy and following the birth. They also advocate choice, and encourage you to play an active role in deciding where and how you would like to give birth.
As with National Childbirth Trust classes, you do have to pay, and check the availability of these courses in your area. A certain amount of travel may be required which may be off-putting in the later stages of pregnancy.
Aquanatal classes These classes involve gentle exercise in water run by local midwives or exercise teachers who are trained to teach pregnant women. Classes give you a chance to give your whole body gentle stretching exercises whilst simultaneously giving you a chance to relax and have all the extra weight you’re carrying supported. Keeping your body fit and supple during the pregnancy will help it perform better during birth.
According to The UK Aquanatal Register, regular classes may help you have a shorter active labour and lower the chance of having a caesarean section or an assisted delivery. When considering taking the Aquanatal route, you must check your medical history as certain conditions such as a history of three or more miscarriages or premature labour will rule it out as a safe option.
Helpful Hints It’s handy to ask people who have attended a class you are considering how helpful they found it.
Get more information on any particular group by dropping them a line; details about what will be covered and how many people are expected to attend could be helpful in informing your decision.
Join Our Antenatal Club! Why not join our free online Antenatal Club as a great supplement to whichever type of class you decide on? Registration is completely free and once you're registered, you'll be able to attend an online antenatal class with Raisingkids.co.uk's midwife the month before your due date. It's also a great way to chat with other mums expecting around the same time as you. Click here for more information.
Childbirth - it's not for the faint hearted! That unavoidable date with destiny plays heavily on the minds of many pregnant mothers, particularly if it's their first time. Birth classes offer you a way to tackle this fear and regain a sense of control over the situation.
