Strategies to deal with pain in labour, including
psycho-prophylaxis with controlled respiration, should
be introduced during antenatal classes, as well as
educating the mother about the regulation of expulsive
efforts during the second stage of labour. Antenatal
classes should also include instructions about neonatal
care and breastfeeding, although this is a process that
requires reinforcement in the post delivery period.
These classes are designed to prepare women and their partners for the
experience of childbirth. Antenatal classes are an excellent opportunity to
gather information, share worries and fears, learn new skills and meet
people who are going through a similar experience. NHS classes are free, and
are run by midwives and/or health visitors, either in the community or at
the hospital.
Antenatal classes are also offered by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), a
charitable organisation. The NCT offers a reduced fee for people with low
incomes. The classes tend to be quite small and informal. The NCT also
offers advice about breastfeeding, helps to put people who share specific
problems in touch with each other, and runs groups for mothers and new
babies.
Although all births are different, antenatal classes can help to prepare you
and provide the chance to meet other prospective parents. Antenatal classes
can introduce your partner to what to expect as a birth companion, and they
can take part in discussions about caring for the baby and adjusting to life
as a parent.
Antenatal classes are time well invested, and there is evidence to suggest
that women cope better with their labour if they have attended antenatal
classes. They set out what happens in labour and what options women have
about how to give birth, as well as offering breastfeeding advice and
information on what to expect in the first few weeks as a parent. They
provide an excellent opportunity for you to gather information, share
worries and fears, learn new skills and meet people who are going through a
similar experience. Antenatal classes are a good way to prepare for the
experience of childbirth and tend to be quite small and informal.
Antenatal classes usually start around the 30th week of your pregnancy.
Antenatal classes are provided by your hospital and you will need to
telephone them to book your place. Mothers who attend antenatal classes are
far more likely to breastfeed their children. A study by the University of
Edinburgh found three-quarters of mothers who attended all or most of their
antenatal classes breast fed their child.
About half of all first time mums go to antenatal classes, and there are
several different types of class to choose from.
