Parenting for n00bs

Like all first timers, we’ve been going to “Parenting for n00bs” classes over the past few weeks.

In the UK (or in London at least), antenatal classes are run almost exlusively by a company called NCT, and they specialise in charging you through the nose for their services. To be fair, they seem to get very good reviews, as they run the classes in small groups of about six couples, all of who live in the same area as you, and all who are due around the same time. It’s an instant support network, and if we were planning to have baby Piccolo in London, then we would have happily shelled out for it.

Instead, we decided to go for the basic “Boot Camp” style of training, and for the last two weeks running, we’ve trudged out to Kingston Hospital after work for the NHS run antenatal classes. It was interesting seeing the split between the two weeks – since week one concentrated on pre-labour, it was fairly harmless and uplifting. Week two concentrated on during and post labour, including all the things that can go wrong, and what happens when they do. This was somewhat less encouraging – though on the other hand, I guess it’s comforting to know that they’ve seen it all before!

In contrast the the fairly clinical antenatal classes, we also enrolled in some hypnobirthing classes. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical going in to these, but that’s ok – and what I’ve liked about the course so far is that even the instructor says that it’s ok to be skeptical. She doesn’t expect everyone to pick up the banner and become a crusader for hypnobirthing, but she believes that everyone will get something out of learning some breathing, relaxation, and focusing techniques. Also, I like that it takes an extremely positive approach to childbirth, as I thoroughly believe that your attitude towards a situation plays a huge part in determining the outcome. So yes I’m still a bit skeptical, but I’m also open minded, and I think that’s probably a healthy balance.

Overall, I guess everyone is different, and each course may be more or less suitable to each person; but just like Ben said, I’ve quite enjoyed doing both of them, and they’ve both been great to get me more focused on little Piccolo coming in to our world soon!