Pre-Natal Classes |
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These are usually organized by your GP unit, health centre or hospital, or through the National Childbirth Trust on a local basis, and can do a lot to make the pregnancy a really enjoyable, stress-free experience for both mother and partner.
The fact that your partner will be welcome at the classes not only helps him feel involved, but enables you both to share the experience and talk through any problems together in a mutually involved way.
This joint participation is invaluable because it means that you will not have to experience the stress all too familiar to some pregnant women, when it seems that after the initial euphoric excitement of learning of the pregnancy, they are left to cope with it all on their own.
At the pre-natal classes you will be taught special exercises to help you cope with the physical stresses and strains of pregnancy. There will be special exercises for the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, and others to ensure good circulation. You will also be taught deep breathing and relaxation techniques, both recognized methods of coping with stress, but in this instance specifically designed to help you during labour.
The pre-natal classes will also do much to alleviate stressful feelings of apprehension about labour, by explaining what signs to expect when it starts, and providing demonstrations of the different kinds of delivery, and comprehensive information on the various methods of pain relief that will be available to you.
Many new mothers find thinking about how they will cope with the baby when they first come home just as stressful as the anticipation of the birth itself, and again, the pre-natal classes will do a lot to help here. You will be shown how to handle a new baby, how to feed and bathe it, change nappies, and cope with all the other aspects of baby care. Useful advice will be given on what you need to buy for the baby, and what to take into hospital, so that you will feel fully prepared.
Arrangements are often made for the pre-natal class to visit the maternity ward to meet the staff, and find out in advance what the hospital procedures are - an invaluable process, as recognizing even one familiar face when you go into hospital can make a tremendous difference to the way you feel.
Most importantly, stress-wise, pre-natal classes offer the chance to meet others mums-to-be, to talk, and listen to other people's experiences. They also tend to be very cheery places, and it’s nice to remember that laughter can be one of the most effective ways of dissipating stress!
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