Antenatal Classes

What is Antenatal Classes

Antenatal Classes will provide you with information about pregnancy, labour and delivery, and baby care and will allow you to discuss any concerns you might have with other expectant parents. Many Antenatal Classes focus on labour and delivery alone, but others include practical advice on how to care for your baby and adjust to parenthood.

Antenatal Classes are provided by your hospital and you will need to ring them to book your place. Classes are generally offered for expectant mothers alone, or for couples. You will probably attend Antenatal Classes from about 30 weeks. Cuidiu, The Irish Childbirth Trust, provides private antenatal classes.

Practically every town in the country now has organised antenatal classes at various times of the year. These classes are usually run on a private basis by trained midwives, and further information can be obtained from the local health board office or through the local hospital. Advertisements for antenatal classes are often placed in the local and regional newspapers as well.

Antenatal Classes can be broadly divided into two sections. The first section deals with the theory of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for the new baby, while the second section concentrates on physical exercises, which are designed to relax the pregnant woman during labour. These exercises place special emphasis on the deep breathing techniques that should be performed during the first and second stages of labour.

Advice is also given to mothers-to-be about:

• Diet and weight control.
• Social welfare entitlements.
• Permanent effects of pregnancy
• Sex

Coping with the new arrival. Returning to work.

In general, antenatal classes are designed to impart information to mothers-to-be and their partners. All the options for pain relief in childbirth are explained and women can then make up their own minds, based on the knowledge they have acquired.