MOTHERS IN TUITIONSHEILA BARRATT-SMITH, D.HYP MBSCH HYPNOBIRTHING® PRACTITIONER, |
Where do you go when you’re having a baby? Well, your first port of call is the doctor. Then you’ve got a few months of tiredness and excitement before you’re booked onto an antenatal course. Or are you?
It seems that what we once took for granted is falling by the wayside; ante-natal classes are disappearing faster than dads at the sight of a dirty nappy. Worcestershire is one of the main areas where NHS antenatal classes have been cut. But why is this such a tragedy? What happened to mother’s intuition?
Not so many years ago women got pregnant then gave birth, simple as that. My grandma had nine children in the early 1900’s, the last being born when she was 43 years old. She knew nothing about prima gravidas, multi gravidas or aging gravidas. The youngest of her children are still going strong. Was it the fact that she never went near a hospital during pregnancy that enabled her to see birth as a normal bodily function, something she could achieve easily and safely? Perhaps, but importantly all her friends and family had their babies the same way – and they all talked to each other.
Families have since become smaller and more widespread, and without that readily available advice, antenatal classes have valuable information for many, for information and for recreating that sense of community naturally occurring in my grandma’s era. Antenatal classes are where many lasting friendships have begun. But with their erratic availability, let’s not take their disappearance lying down. Let’s take the opportunity to look at the alternatives.
Midwives, Health Visitors and GP surgeries should have information as to what’s currently available from the NHS and beyond. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is probably the most recognised paid-for antenatal organisation, but there are independent birth educators, and other methods of birth preparation. And what is often brushed off as ‘alternative’ can in fact offer a real alternative.
A Different Class
Hypnobirthing
Antenatal classes have in the past focused on pain management during birth with epidural needles being passed round and caesareans dissected on flipcharts. Any hypnotherapist will tell you that ‘what you focus on is what you get’. Preparation For Birth classes, run by Hypnobirthing® practitioners, aim, literally, to take the fear out of giving birth and prepare you for the best and easiest birth possible. Learning how your thoughts affect your body, how to work with your birthing muscles and how to achieve deep states of relaxation easily and quickly, gives women the confidence to be in control of the birth. The British Medical Association recognised hypnosis as an effective way of managing pain during labour and birth back in 1955! So with more and more women now having medical intervention maybe it is time to go back to basics.
More about the scientific research on Hypnosis in Childbirth can be found on www.hypnobirthing.co.uk; for information about classes in Worcestershire and West Midlands click on www.gentlebirth.co.uk.
Active Birthing
With the focus on finding comfortable positions for labour, Active Birth classes teach breathing techniques and positions that may be helpful to you in the different phases of pregnancy and labour. During labour, pain is often intensified by the tension caused by fear and confusion. Active Birth shows us how to use the breath to calm ourselves and release tension which can help both to speed up and reduce the pain of labour. The exercises, which are simple, safe and easy to follow, are suitable for any stage of pregnancy, and improve posture and circulation. The classes give you a general sense of well being and an increase in confidence as you approach the birth of your baby.
For more information about Active Birthing classes in Worcestershire contact Claire Jones on 01527 570424 or clairegjones@aol.com
BENEFITS OF
ANTENATAL CLASSES
By Emma of The Baby Gurus
Meeting other women or couples at the same stage of life as you.
This is one of the main benefits as this group can form an excellent support network once your baby is born.
Involving your partner.
This is a great way for your partner to become more involved in your pregnancy and also help increase his confidence for the birth and becoming a new parent.
Gaining information.
In addition to information about birth and early parenting, you can also find out about your local maternity services and what they offer.
Learning new skills.
Antenatal classes may offer you the chance to learn new skills for both the birth and for when your baby arrives.
www.thebabygurus.co.uk runs luxury antenatal weekends. Just what you need for body and mind (I’m suddenly feeling broody!). Tell them we sent you.
Did you know?
You’re entitled to
time off work to attend antenatal classes.
Some employers will ask to see a note
from your midwife or doctor confirming
your attendance.
“[the cuts in NHS antenatal classes
are] in danger of denying an important
service to a vast section of the
community... Classes are beneficial in
preparing mothers and their partners
for the forthcoming birth. Preparation is
important both mentally and physically.
It helps to give parents confidence. They
also enable mothers to get to know the
midwives they will be seeing when they
have their babies, and give them the
opportunity to meet and talk to other
expectant mums.”
Melanie Every, Royal College of Midwives
