There was news this morning of a study that showed that prospective parents who attended antenatal classes that promote breathing techniques have no better experience during labour than parents who are just taught the basic “nuts and bolts” of what pregnancy entails. Women that had been attended classes and were taught “natural birth” methods (supposed to reduce the amount of medical intervention required in the birth) ended up asking for the same amount of conventional pain relief as women who’d not taken the classes.
The NCT (not NCP, they’re something quite different) are disputing the claims. This is unsurprising, as most of the extended antenatal classes in this country are run by them.
Jane and I decided early on that we’d not bother with NCT classes and instead take the free NHS route. This entailed a slightly cursory programme of three visits to a community centre to learn about stuff like how plastic babies fit through plastic pelvic bones, and how much change you need for the hospital car park (which isn’t NCP or NCT). I think it was enough information for us.
One of the things they covered was pain relief, and I remember in particular the discussion we had about TENS machines. For the uninitiated (as I was), a TENS machine is a bit like those muscle stimulation gadgets they sell on the shopping channels to get rid of flabby tummies. Placed on the skin, they stimulate the nerves and are supposed to reduce pain during labour.
There’s not much evidence that TENS machines actually work, and the midwife at our antenatal class that covered pain relief more or less admitted that she thought twiddling with the knobs on the machine distracted mums from the pain by “giving them something to do”.
I think that’s probably the main benefit of extended antenatal classes. The nine months of a first pregnancy is an awful long time to fill, and the gaps between decorating and buying baby stuff are mainly filled with worrying about something you don’t really have any control over: the birth. NCT classes and their ilk give parents “something to do”, and maybe give them back a sense of control.
It doesn’t matter so much, then, that what they’re learning is a little common sense midwifery wrapped up in a lot of (literal) puff which won’t actually benefit them on the day. The important thing is that up until that day, they felt more able to deal with it.
But I’m still happy of being to be ignorant of how to breathe. When the day comes, I’ve been taught by existing fathers the two facts that will get me through the worst of the delivery. One: take the blame for everything. Two: if they’re biting down on their hand, don’t offer to replace it with yours.
You’ve got it precisely.
We went to NCT classes, or at least Kerry did. It was all far too middle class for me and I avoided it wherever possible. I’m no class warrior, but I felt vry much out of place and all the other dads earned at least double what I do.
Anyhow, I’m not convinced that Kerry got a better birth out of it. But she did say it was invaluable because she knew what all the options were, even though we bot agreed that we’d just go with whatever the medical staff recommended at the time.
The main thing Kerry got out of it however was friends with children of the same age. The NCT group from Amy’s birth (nearly 6 years ago) still get together every couple of months and have a big play date type thing at a play gym. For people like us who don’t have very many friends with kids that is invaluable.
We took classes for our first one. She didn’t use it much though, she just held my hand. Almost broke every bone in it.
The main reason we decided not to go with NCT classes was the cost, it was just a little too much at the time to pay out in one lump sum. I think it would have been interesting but I don’t feel I’ve missed out on useful information but it would have been nice to have had the social networking side of the classes. The NHS anti natal classes were really good but very intensive, no chance to get to know anyone.
However there is nothing to stop me joining the NCT once the baby’s arrived for the coffee mornings and bring and buy sales.
I quite liked NCT classes, but then any excuse for a get together with snacks will suit me. My wife didn’t like it for all the reasons stated plus she felt a sense of disappointment that we didn’t gel with the others in the group. They all seemed nice enough people, but we didn’t mix that well with them and haven’t stayed in touch. Laura doesn’t like it when others we know bang on about NCT class get togethers and all that. I will say one thing for pain relief: Pethadine is FUN! Laura was reciting Jefferson Airplane lyrics when she had it.