#Pregancy: Effective antenatal preparation?

My wonderful NCT friends

This post is a response to the article I read today about the author's experience of NCT classes. NCT brought me a set of really close mummy friends and I can't be more grateful for that. 
In terms of what you learn and the ethos they promote, there are very mixed responses. The aim of this article is not to analyse the pros and cons of attending NCT classes. 

As a hypnobirthing teacher though, providing a detailed antenatal course for mums and birth partners, it really made me think how well informed are my mums? 

Do we learn everything we can before birth? Do we focus too much on the 'ideal' and create disappointment or regret if that doesn't happen? Is there just too much to cover for every different eventuality? Can all births be truly celebrated if we lack the understanding of what is happening and feel disempowered as a result?

As a starting point, I've spent the day collecting a wish list from my NCT and other mummy friends on what they think should be included in an antenatal course (n.b. not including the post-natal period, although it was agreed that there is a lot more that could be done to inform and empower new parents).

So, what did they think we should aim to include in a truly effective antenatal preparation course?

• The physiology of vaginal birth and caesarean sections
• The hormones of birth (oxytocin vs. adrenaline) and their effects
• Ways to prepare your body for birth - pelvic floor exercises, perineal massage, light exercise, nutrition
• Ways to prepare your mind for birth, no matter what happens - self-hypnosis, breathing, relaxations, affirmations, visualisations, positive triggers
• What's involved in sweeps, induction, c-sections, episiotimies, forceps/ventouse
• The pros and cons of sweeps, induction, c-sections, episiotomies, vaginal birth, forceps/ventouse
• Some reasons for all of the above and the breadth of 'normality' - breech babies, back-to-back babies, 'overdue' babies, 'big' babies
• The pros and cons of ways to make birth more comfortable - drugs (pethidine, gas/air, epidural), self-hypnosis/deep relaxation, water, tens machine, homeopathy/aromatherapy
• What to realistically expect from your care providers - obstetricians, NHS midwives, independent midwives, doulas 
• The role of the birth partner, and making informed decisions
• The pros and cons of different birth settings - home, hospital, midwife-led unit
• The pros and cons of birth plans, and alternatives
• What might happen in labour - bloody show, membrane release, contractions, transition, birth
• Possibilities and procedures following birth (vernix, vit K injections, feeding, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, placenta release, stitches, blood loss, placentophagy, microbiome and seeding, gentle caesareans, weighing and baby checks, sleep)
• A list of local and national organisations and further reading for antenatal preparation and support
• A list of local and national organisations for post-natal preparation and suppor

The question is - how often is all of this included? Is there anything that you think has been missed out?

For an antenatal course that strives to include 100% of this, and understands all birth stories to be worthy of celebration, get in touch: katie@birthstory.co.uk or www.birthstory.co.uk