Hello ladies,
Can I introduce myself properly and join you all in the Due in Jan forum?

I'm Ali and I'm expecting my first Blue Bub on 18th Jan. I hope all of you ladies are doing well and enjoying your pregnancy...It seems only yesterday I got my BFP but now we're only a couple of months away!

Anyway I wanted to pick your brains about Parent Craft Classes, when I was booked in I was told that they would be available after I was 30 weeks and that we would go over all that at later appointments so I asked at my 25 week appointment because I'd heard nothing from the midwife about the classes but it was a stand in midwife and asked me to bring it up at my 28 week appointment so I've now done this to be told by my midwife to ring after xmas! I'm due in Jan! Anyway I asked again at my anti D appointment today as it was at my local hospital and they told me all courses are booked up till after Jan!!! I'm really disappointed and feel that a special part of my pregnancy has been over looked. My midwife has been rubbish on a few things but this has upset me! I would have booked really early on if I'd been properly advised. Has anyone done the course yet? I would love to hear about what actually happens on them!

Sorry for the rant ladies,

Ali

Hi, I've had something similar.
I could have joined a class at 25 weeks but felt this was too early so said I would do the course starting on 1st December then I'll be 32 weeks. however they have now cancelled this one and won't be doing another till january! am really cross but not a lot I can do about it now!
will just have to do lots of readying about labour!
xxx

I think the courses are in very high demand aren't they? I just didn't realise that I would need to sort it out independantly, I thought the midwife would at least give me a number to ring. I'm sorry your missing out too Mrs Butler, I think we will just have to get reading! Ha!
xxx

i booked mine at 21 weeks. i was told to book them at 28 weeks but the same happened with my DD and they were booked so i rang ealrier this time. i got through labour last time without the classes but just wanted to try them out this time x

Hi and welcome! I had to book onto mine at my 12wk booking appt, because they do get booked up. Mine start in a couple of wks time so if you don''t get onto one I'll keep you informed! Think there's 4, a week apart each on a diff topic.

I'm sure there's nothing you can't learn from reading a few good preg/labour books, but I suppose you'd better make a list of questions specific to your hosp for the next time you see your mw - practical stuff like do you need to take your own towel? Or own nappies/wipes/cotton wool, or maternity towels, if you need to take car seat in, etc etc

xxx

hello there and welcome over

i am 30+3 with a little boy due 8th jan!

i start mine in two weeks and like mybutler i was advised to book them after my 12 week scan, i would phone the hospital and tell them what you were told and how dissapointed you are that you were effectivly lied too and have missed the oppertunity to seek out the best for you baby and yourself and see if they can squeeze you in, its certainly worth a try

becca
30+3

Thanks for the advice ladies. I've tried ringing the hospital but no luck, they're all booked up so please let me know how you get on at your classes. A list is a great idea my butler, I'll get on that one ready for my next midwife appointment.
Ali xxx

Hi Ali - Welcome. I am 31+2 with a girl due on the 8th of Jan.

I finished my parent classes last week - if it was the NHS ones you were going for I think you can pretty much get all the info from books etc...(and here!!)

Week one we covered pain relief, and what to expect in the delivery room etc
Week two was inductions and what happens if there is a problem, (I live 3 hours from my hosp on the Isle of Skye, so this went into a little more detail)
Week three was breast feeding
Week four was what happens after birth ie, vit K injection, and coming home.

I find posting a question in pregnancy usually gets you the answer, and sometimes it is a better one than the midwife can give you!

Hope that helps
Joanna