041BABY columnist Odette Parfitt chats to some qualified midwives and registered nurses, in Nelson Mandela Bay about Antenatal classes and why moms-to-be should look into them.
FOR a first-time mom-to-be, the months of pregnancy can be as daunting as it is exciting – mostly because of the sheer amount of information and advice out there. (By “advice”, I of course mean the countless strangers, friends, family members and acquaintances who are quite eager to bestow their wisdom and opinions – even if you didn’t ask.)
A big help on this journey is considering antenatal classes. These classes, usually offered over a few weeks, can give you guidance and information you will need during your pregnancy and your first months of parenthood as well. In Nelson Mandela Bay, there is also no shortage of options when it comes to choosing an antenatal class you can attend.
“Having a baby is one of the most exciting and fulfilling moments and journey in a family’s life. It can also be overwhelming though, and the more prepared one is with sound knowledge, the more confident one feels,” says Lisa Krummeck, owner of Birth of Love, which offers antenatal classes locally. “Connections are also built up with other parents, which is helpful.”
Sharon Oates of the Sharon Oates Family Wellness Clinic says antenatal classes add value by providing information you can trust. “Having a baby is such a life-changing event, that I think the best thing any expectant couple could do is attend antenatal classes or even chat to someone like myself in personal sessions. There is so much false information available on Dr Google that it can confuse someone unless you know how to sift the good from the fake,” she says.
Michelle van der Westhuizen believes it is very important for couples to attend such classes. “I find some of my couples coming back even in their second pregnancy because it provides emotional support,” says Michelle. “You don’t know what you don’t know, so it’s always good to get the information you need. It’s an ongoing conversation with expectant couples and new families.”
Based on my own experience, here are five reasons you should consider adding antenatal classes to your to-do list:
- Your questions can be answered by a professional. Unlike your aunt’s well-meant comments on everything from breastfeeding to C-sections, the information you receive in antenatal classes will come from a qualified professional – usually a midwife and/or nurse – who has spent years tailoring the material they cover to your needs as a new parent. You will also have the chance to ask questions specific to your situation – and get answers from someone who has knowledge beyond just personal experience.
- It’s a good chance to practise your parenting. Most antenatal classes offer a practical element, for example how to change a diaper or swaddle your baby, and if this is not something you’ve had much experience in through babysitting, it can be a very good way to learn and get guidance.
- You and your partner get to learn together. Let’s face it, a lot of the pregnancy journey rests on the new mom, but with antenatal classes, your partner can learn alongside you and it can be something new you share.
- You get to meet new people on the same journey. If it really takes a village to raise a child, why not build your village with other couples who are in the same boat as you? Support from other new parents will likely be welcome down the road, as you adjust to your new normal.
- You’ll have access to other services you may need. Most instructors for antenatal classes offer other services to parents-to-be. For example, Michelle, Lisa and Sharon are all qualified midwives and registered nurses, but between the three of them, they are also qualified to offer trauma counselling, lactation consultations, infant CPR workshops, home visits for parents, and baby vaccinations, to name a few. These services stretch beyond pregnancy into the early months of parenthood and can be incredibly helpful in an overwhelming time.
Bonus reason: Some medical aids include antenatal classes in their maternity benefits. Familiarise yourself with all the benefits you have access to under your medical aid plan’s maternity cover – you may be surprised how long this list is!
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