Antenatal classes at Jessop Wing

Fooman · 03-11-2009, 12:37

Hi there - just booked in for the antenatal classes next February (doing the weekend classes rather than 4 weekday classes).

Now being a first time mum I don't really know what to expect. I'm assuming husbands are allowed but what do they cover and is there anything I need to know beforehand?

DeViL_WoMaN · 03-11-2009, 13:19

No, you don't need to know anything beforehand. My partner and I attended before our baby was born in May 2008. They covered Massage techniques for labour, labour itself, breathing, hopes and fears for labour and birth, pain relief in labour, breast feeding, how to care for and hold your baby, how to change the babies nappy. They cover quite alot. We did the 4 weekday classes so it was easier to digest. They give you lots of handouts and thats how I knew what to write here as I still have them, lol!
Hope your class goes well and enjoy it.
Oh and remember to take a cold drink as that room can get quite warm as I recall!

bluecanary · 03-11-2009, 13:30

Currently on the 4 week course and I can confirm everything Devil Woman said (particularly about the room being too warm!). So far has been fairly useful, and it sounds like the stuff we haven't covered yet will be even more so.

BTW, they don't seem to show any gory videos of labour etc., which might be an extra incentive for your birthing partner to attend! Most women seem to be with their husbands/partners but a few have come along with Mums/female friends instead.

jellybellybean · 03-11-2009, 16:16

I did the classes before i had my baby in April this year, they were informative but the MW that did our was SOOOOOOOOOO boring! haha! We got a look around labour ward which was really nice.

DeViL_WoMaN · 03-11-2009, 16:45

Oh yeah, I forgot about the tour round the labour ward! There was one room we went in (I think it was a private room) and when you turned out the lights the ceiling lit up like stars! I so wanted that room!

gina2007 · 03-11-2009, 17:18

When I had them at Jessops (Late 2007 so might be abit dated) they took us around the labour wards, and one of the midwifes showing us took us into a room on the 'afterbirth ward' as she called it, and we all stood and cooed while she bathed this baby, the mum looked rough, poor woman, most of us were mortified at how she looked (We were all first timers - and young) I dont know if mine are any different to yours because I was 16 and they were called Teenage Antenatal rather than just Antenatal. We got took into a room where a birthing pool was and we were all soo happy for some reason. They give you stats aswell, like 1 in 5 will be born on birth date etc etc and they told us (6 of us) that only one of us would probs end up having a csection due to the fact its around 1 in 6, we ALL had csections. And they offered us a chance to hire a mama tens machine for £10 deposit and you got the £10 back once you'd given it back. They gave me LOADS and loads of the sticky pads too. Im not sure if they still offer it - or if it was just for our 'type' of classes, but do ask if you are interested in using one.

Everyone seemed to with their partners/mums. One girl was alone though, so she came and 3'ed up with me and OH. Midwife got me and her sat on some chairs and my OH massaging our backs for about half hour - good times!!!! I really enjoyed mine, because we were all in the same age range (15-18 ) and were all due within about 4 weeks of each other.

Fooman · 03-11-2009, 17:40

Thanks for all the info. Especially like the fact that they show you round the delivery room etc. I have a feal fear over giving birth in hospital. Got a real problem with hospitals full stop, don't find them happy places and too clinical so my idea of giving birth would be a home waterbirth but the more people I speak to say I really should be in hospital for the first so I was going to ask my midwife if I could go round the delivery ward and other wards themselves to try and settle me a bit.

jellybellybean · 03-11-2009, 18:27

Fooman, at Jessops there are 2 ends to labour ward, midwifery led and consultant led, the consultant led end is very clinical like a typical hospital ward, where you go if you need monitoring for any reason of if you have an epidural. The midwifery led end is made to be as homely as possible with twinkly lights in the ceiling, bean bags, birthing chairs etc and is for women wanting a more natural birth with limited medication. There is no medical equipment on show (it is all to hand if needed though) as this is supposed to make mum to be feel more relaxed. I would definately go take a look around.

gina2007 · 03-11-2009, 18:56

What jellybean said. I had to be induced, and was high risk. I was consultant led and it was very 'hospitally' - equipment everywhere. I ended up with a csection so good job I was in that bit. Its also more accessable to theatre from there (One corridor) which I suppose is a good thing. And from, midwife led bit - its 2 corridors, from what I recall.

I dont think i'd be confident enough to ever have a homebirth. I'd have loved to had a natural birth though! xxx

Fooman · 03-11-2009, 19:20

You're all starting to convince me a bit more! I just hope when I get to see the wards etc I will be more relaxed about it (due beginning April, classes end Feb).

I guess its the case that you never can plan these things and know exactly whats going to happen so you're better off being in the best place possible for both yourself, the baby and your partner!

gina2007 · 03-11-2009, 19:51

Just keep an open mind fooman. I went in, under the impression I was having a hospital birth and that I'd breeze through it, without any doubt. How wrong was I. Other people have gone in thinking 'Pain relief, hospital birth, going to take ages' and have given birth on their kitchen floor. Anything can happen. If you keep an open mind on it all - it helps. Have a nosey around (Your allowed too) and ask lots of questions,

x

Fooman · 04-11-2009, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by gina2007

Just keep an open mind fooman. I went in, under the impression I was having a hospital birth and that I'd breeze through it, without any doubt. How wrong was I. Other people have gone in thinking 'Pain relief, hospital birth, going to take ages' and have given birth on their kitchen floor. Anything can happen. If you keep an open mind on it all - it helps. Have a nosey around (Your allowed too) and ask lots of questions,

x

I know you are absolutely right and my rose tinted glasses have been taken off and thrown away!!! I'm going to take in as much info as I can and really take in all the info from the antenatal classes and take things in my stride, as much as possible!

Strix · 13-11-2009, 03:58

Arrrggghhh, I keep forgetting to book mine!

I feel like I'm months behind with everything having been bedridden for 3 months, and pretty sick for some time after that. I've got a head like a sieve from being too tired half the time

I'll wind up being wheeled in, screaming in pain, and not knowing what to expect coz the classes were booked up

Michelle Bar · 21-11-2009, 13:31

The last Home Birth Workshop for 2009 is scheduled to take place on Friday 4 December, 19:00-20:30, at Riverdale Studio, Riverdale, 89 Graham Road, Sheffield, S10 3GP.

This informal session will cover:

* Why homebirth?
* Planning a homebirth (including how to deal with any difficulties you might encounter).
* Practicalities
* Birth Pool in a Box demonstration
* Information to take away and ongoing support if needed
* With plenty of opportunity to ask questions and hear some inspiring home birth stories.

For further details and/or to book a place please visit the website http://www.sheffieldchoicesinchildbirth.com/page3.htm or phone 0114 2250254 and leave your name and address.

Emma.lou · 09-12-2009, 12:46

I attended this classes back in 2007 and to be honest didnt find themk very useful at all. Me and my babies farther spent the whole time laughing at the woman cleaning the group. Infact comes to think of it. Everyone was laughing at her .... every other word she said was "and it will hurt"

Strix · 17-12-2009, 00:17

So why didn't you just leave instead of disrupting the rest of the class?

Some people need shooting

doodle · 17-12-2009, 12:29

Strix - The main thing I would do if you don't get on to the antenatal classes (I don't think mine was that great to be honest - but was back in 2006), would be to make sure you have a ward tour and know what to expect in there. I moved to another city and I had my daughter without ever setting into the hospital before the birth and I don't think it helped me to relax during the birth, as I didn't know anything about it. My ward tour was typically due on the Sunday after I gave birth! lol

Strix · 19-12-2009, 21:59

Thanks Doodle

I've got it booked now, but I think Mr Strix is as worried as I am about how close it is to the actual date - only four weeks before!

Fooman · 20-12-2009, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strix

Thanks Doodle

I've got it booked now, but I think Mr Strix is as worried as I am about how close it is to the actual date - only four weeks before!

Mine are booked 4 weeks before and this is what I was recommended to do. I was a bit concerned as the baby could come this early but apparently thats the norm and wouldn't book them any further apart

Strix · 21-12-2009, 10:15

I suppose that gives less time to forget all the info they've told us!