What Are Antenatal Classes?
Antenatal classes are designed to help expecting parents prepare for birthing and parenthood. The classes are for both expecting parents and prepares them for late pregnancy, labour, birth, early parenthood. Pregnancy and parenthood comes with a lot of challenges that can devastate you without the right skills and mental preparedness. The classes are meant to do just that. You can also attend breastfeeding classes. The fact that expecting mothers can attend with their partners ensures that they both know what to do and therefore can better assist each other during pregnancy and in taking care of the baby. All the highs and lows of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a child will be much more fun once you know the dos and don’ts.
The Topics Covered In the Classes
There are a variety of topics that will be covered in your classes and these include but are not confined to:
• The changes that you go through
• The development of our baby
• Giving birth
• Relaxation techniques
• Breathing techniques
• Stress management
• Massage skills
• Pain-relief options
• Birthing options
• Meeting your baby for the first time
• Taking care of your baby
• Nappy changing
• Skin care
• Taking care of your health
The Right Time to Start
Most expecting parents need to know the best time to begin their classes. According to the format of many classes provided by various institutions, the best time to start you antenatal classes is from 26 weeks. This is the third trimester of the pregnancy. This is also a form of synchronization which ensures that the classes have participants whose pregnancies are at the same stage. Antenatal classes are held once every week for a period of 6 to 8 weeks.
Apart from providing you with vital insights and skills the classes also give the chance to meet other parents to be and share your experiences. Exercising during pregnancy and learning relaxation and breathing techniques goes a long way in making labour faster and pain-free as possible. Find the right service providers, compare them and enrol with one that appeals to your needs.