Will I cope with labour with no ante natal classes?

Question

I live on a Greek Island and there are no ante natal classes or even anything similar. You just go and give birth without knowing what to expect. Some people have told me this will be better as I won't be so scared (not sure I beleive that) but I think I will find it terrifying!! Has anyone else given birth without attending classes? can anyone reccomend a good DVD about breathing and labour techniques?

I don't have a midwife. My gynaecologist speaks very little English and I speak very little Greek. The maternity unit is on another Island and I won't get the opportunity to go and speak to anynone before the birth.

Answer 1

My wife and I did not attend ante natal classes prior to the birth of our first child and i did think in the delivery room that there were things we should have known but didn't, however, that was a long time ago before the internet and I think you can probably research it fully these days without actually attending classes.

It is still probably a good idea to get some personal advice if you can, maybe from the local doctor, nurse or midwife. In particular you need tgo be aware of the options for pain control (pethadin, epidural and I don't know what else), how to pant, how to hold on, when to push, how to push and how to break the small bones in your husbands hand as you crush it in an iron grip during contractions.

Answer 2

Hi, I didn't do a single ante-natal class-went into it 'blind' as it were.

You'll be fine-listen to your body and trust your instincts-you'll 'know' when you want to push etc-trust me!

The only advice I would give you(and only because you say your midwife doesn't speak brilliant English) is that if you opt for gas and air to ease the pain then have the mask option because it fits around the nose and mouth and you can get a good grip of it during the really 'good' contractions.
And when you feel the contractions start to start(you'll understand when you've had a few) then start breathing the gas and air (you can breathe in and out into the mask) so that by the time it reaches it's peak you're at full pain relief capacity.

Have you got sky tv? Try watching a few of the pregnancy and birth programmes on there-they're quite informative and if you sort of know what's coming you'll probably feel less scared!

I'd be lying if I said it doesn't 'sting a bit' (lol) but you'll be fine. Walking during labour really helps stem the pain and make it quicker too.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I didn't go to any classes when i was pregnant as I didn't see the point as I knew anything they taught I would forget when I was in pain.
Also as I wasn't to keen on the birth thing, (as I had a bit of a phobia about how a baby could come out of whrre it had to being the size of the baby and the size of the exit it just didn't seem understandable its hard to explain how i felt) it was a way of avoiding dealing with the inevitable, I would have been more terrified if I had actually seen DVD's and sat there talking about the process.
As it was without the classes and without knowing 100% what to expect the experience was as enjoyable as it can be.

Answer 4

I have three children and i had no ante natel classes you will be fine. when you go into labour everything will come natural just listen to your midwife and try and do what she says. Your midwife will help you in every way so trust her. i use too watch the Living TV they have good programs of women giving birth. I would do it all over again you will be super and you can do it.

Answer 5

Millions & millions of women did, all over the world. Child birth is natural & your body does most of the work, not so much the soon-to-be mother, not even the attending doctors. They are there to help to make you more relaxed, more comfortable &, only in out of the ordinary circumstances when the process is obstructed by abnormal issues. Don't be alarmed. The less you worry about it the easier nature can carry out it's task.

Answer 6

when i was pregnant with my first child i only went for two classes, and i got nothing from them at all. dont be scared, when the time comes your body will tell you what to do. will you have a midwife with you? if you need any help she will tell you exactly what you need to do.just take it as it comes, the breathing doesnt need to be practised, just take it slowly and try not to panic.
with my first i had an epidural, and it was fine, with my second i didnt have anything, just a natural birth, it was the most amazing experience. i wont lie and say it was pain free, but it was totally worth every minute of it.

Answer 7

Wow just about everyone in here didn't do classes!!! Well, me neither. I walked out during my first class. It was just a gossip session. I have 2 children ages 5 and 3 and 38 weeks pregnant with third. My labors went fine. Honestly, you are going to breathe the way you want to breathe. You will do fine. It is a natural process. Keep in tune with your body and it will tell you what to do. Congrats and best wishes!!!

Answer 8

Hi. When i was preg i went to two ante natal classes and i didnt get anything from it so i didnt go again. I dont think you need to go and you can get lots of information from your health visitor and from the internet or talking to othermoms. In fact when i did attend the ante natal classes it wasmore of a chance for mums to be to chat than learn anything from it.
Have a look at mums to be websites and have a chat to them. XXXX

Answer 9

i personnally didnt go to any ante natal classes and the birth went fine and when the actual birth day came i was not scared at all! i would say practise your breathing technique though because that does help ALOT!!

Answer 10

I am 40 weeks pregnant with my first and have taken the class already. It didn't provide much information wich would calm me down, in fact, it scared my husband so that he decided not to witness the birth. Most of the information they provide can be found on the internet.