What experience of antenatal classes have you all had? We’ve got the NHS ones booked for tomorrow and my OH is absolutely dreading it 
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Mine were fine, they were NHS too - very laid back, a mixture of couples and lone women, no role play or forced fun type things or ice breaker introductions much to my relief.What experience of antenatal classes have you all had? We’ve got the NHS ones booked for tomorrow and my OH is absolutely dreading it
Same experience here. We found them really useful and glad we attended them!
I couldn’t even find any NHS ones! I thought my midwife would point me in the right direction, but my appointments are just basic check ups. All the antenatal classes I found were really expensive.
Does anyone else find their midwife appointments a bit lacking? I always feel like my midwife steers the conversation away from me being able to ask questions. She doesn’t seem very open with sharing her knowledge or experience.
Does anyone else find their midwife appointments a bit lacking? I always feel like my midwife steers the conversation away from me being able to ask questions. She doesn’t seem very open with sharing her knowledge or experience.
We don’t have them in our area they haven’t put them back on since covid due to staffing, it’s so weird how much it varies area to areaWhat experience of antenatal classes have you all had? We’ve got the NHS ones booked for tomorrow and my OH is absolutely dreading it
32 weeks an really struggling to get comfortable now sitting on the sofa etc. Don't remember it being such an issue the first time round! If anyone has any hints or tips please let me know x
All of my midwife appointments have always been like this tbh.
Especially the earlier ones when they aren't doing the heartbeat ect
I’m 36 weeks tomorrow. I just feel like she decides how the appointment goes and doesn’t ask if I have any questions or if there’s anything I want to discuss. I have to rush it in at the end. I asked to do my birth plan at my last appointment and she said we won’t do it until I’m 38 weeks. I dunno I’m just not that impressed with it.
Mines always been exactly the same.
They've never asked any questions or asked if I had any questions. I always ended up asking questions as she was getting her diary out to write in the next appointment.
Same as the birth plan. Only time one has been done is with my first where I asked about it like you, and was told to find a template online and fill it in myself and put it in my folder.
It was never mentioned with my other 2 and I didn't bother mentioning it either
My midwife just basically said download a template and fill it in for the birth plan. As it happened it didn’t make any difference as no one asked to see it when I went in to hospital and it’s still in its folder in my boot 
That’s what I don’t get about them. I have a trauma informed birth plan (need to make a normal one too) and I just worry that midwives will ignore what I’ve written.
As others have said, towards the end of your first trimester your placenta starts to take over so your symptoms do decrease. And I can’t remember the name of what I’m about to describe but it’s a thing where pregnancy tests looks weaker as you get more pregnant because your hormone levels are too high to register on the tests properly. If you had any more tests, try diluting your urine in water before putting on the test and the line would likely be stronger.
As always though, call your local triage if you’re worried
I gave birth early last month - i had two MWs (shift swap at the start of my labour) and both asked what my preferences/birth plan was. I was able to talk them through my pain relief plan, and the one I had at the beginning talked me through other things I might like to consider like delayed cord clamping and how to deliver the placenta. (All of the above are preferences which might not be possible depending on the request/situation). If yours doesn’t ask make sure that you tell them. You don’t have to wait around to be asked - make sure that your birth partner knows to mention it as well in case you’re not in the right frame of mind to talk someone through what your needs are - they’re there to advocate for you as well.
so basically what I’m saying is don’t rely on them reading anything but make sure you get to tell them.
38+3 weeks now and desperate to meet baba. Being driven insane by braxton hicks and the pressure. Also being driven mad by the constant 'any signs yet' and 'get a move on with baby' like they wanna see her more. Also the panicking by bloody in laws when they haven't heard from either of us in 24 hours. I've had to hide my last active time on WhatsApp and deactivated my Facebook until baby is here now because its driving me insane.
I'm willing to try anything to get this child out now! Any tricks of the trade send my way!
I'm willing to try anything to get this child out now! Any tricks of the trade send my way!
If you tell them/show them your plan, then they won't ignore it.
And they'll go by it as much as possible. However, they rely on you to tell them/show them/say yes and no to the things they offer.
Which is why I personally don't bother with a birth plan.
But either way, you have to make each person aware of what your wishes are.
This is my experience anyway.
With all 3 births, I've never been asked on preferences ect unless I've stated I do or don't want something
Pessary induction failed as the midwife couldn’t get it in 
absolutely distraught. Tried it with gas & air and got absolutely hysterical as it made me SO unbelievably dizzy, and considering I’ve spent most of my 2nd & all of 3rd trimester signed off with chronic dizziness it made me panic.
Feels like another thing I’ve failed at in this pregnancy.
Thankfully on all the monitoring he’s fine which is most important. Think we’re going home and will keep a really close eye on his movements going forward, seeing my midwife Thursday so can hopefully rebook the C-section date as those induction examinations are no joke!!
I found all my smears & even a 45min investigation & biopsy without pain relief a breeze compared to this
absolutely distraught. Tried it with gas & air and got absolutely hysterical as it made me SO unbelievably dizzy, and considering I’ve spent most of my 2nd & all of 3rd trimester signed off with chronic dizziness it made me panic. Feels like another thing I’ve failed at in this pregnancy.
Thankfully on all the monitoring he’s fine which is most important. Think we’re going home and will keep a really close eye on his movements going forward, seeing my midwife Thursday so can hopefully rebook the C-section date as those induction examinations are no joke!!
I found all my smears & even a 45min investigation & biopsy without pain relief a breeze compared to this
Sorry it didn't work out for you and that you've been left feeling so upsetPessary induction failed as the midwife couldn’t get it in
Feels like another thing I’ve failed at in this pregnancy.
Thankfully on all the monitoring he’s fine which is most important. Think we’re going home and will keep a really close eye on his movements going forward, seeing my midwife Thursday so can hopefully rebook the C-section date as those induction examinations are no joke!!
I found all my smears & even a 45min investigation & biopsy without pain relief a breeze compared to this
you haven't failed at anything - pregnancy and labour isn't skill-based and isn't something that women should be excelling at or judged on. Everyone has different experiences and it's all dictated by what your baby gets up to, not what you are/aren't doing 
I hope you can get some rest tonight and that your midwife appointment goes well - if you're feeling anxious you could contact her ahead of time to discuss what's been happening and what you'll be requesting?You haven’t failed anything! I was induced with my first and the cervical checks were horrific for me. I found them so painful. So much so I put it in my birth plan this time that I would refuse them unless absolutely necessary. I only allowed them to check me this time as I was in the triage room and felt like I needed to poo. I was 9cm and didn’t feel it.Pessary induction failed as the midwife couldn’t get it in
Feels like another thing I’ve failed at in this pregnancy.
Thankfully on all the monitoring he’s fine which is most important. Think we’re going home and will keep a really close eye on his movements going forward, seeing my midwife Thursday so can hopefully rebook the C-section date as those induction examinations are no joke!!
I found all my smears & even a 45min investigation & biopsy without pain relief a breeze compared to this
Hope you feel better soon and get some rest x
Thank you both They’ve asked me to stay so he can be monitored regularly and so I can meet the consultant in the morning to discuss next steps. Surely if they can’t get anything in the next option is a C-section? They don’t seem keen on it & I understand the risks but ultimately they want him out (as do I) so I don't see any other option?
They’ve asked me to stay so he can be monitored regularly and so I can meet the consultant in the morning to discuss next steps. Surely if they can’t get anything in the next option is a C-section? They don’t seem keen on it & I understand the risks but ultimately they want him out (as do I) so I don't see any other option?- Status