Antenatal care classes will prepare you for your baby’s birth by teaching you:
- Maternal nutrition
- Relaxation training
- Breathing exercises for the different stages of labour
- Breastfeeding
- Parentcraft – how to look after your newborn
Besides regular visits to your obstetrician, you are encouraged to attend classes to help you prepare for parenthood. You will be advised on practical issues, while preparing psychologically for the arrival of your baby. A lactation consultant will also provide advice on breastfeeding and caring for your newborn baby. You will also be taught what to expect for your baby’s development and the changes in your body at every stage of pregnancy.
The antenatal course programme comprises of the following:
Session 1: Nutrition – How to make healthy food choices during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Session 2: Baby Massage – Bonding with your newborn through touch
Session 3: Parentcraft 1 – Problems you may experience during pregnancy, the stages and management of labour and pain relief techniques
Session 4: Parentcraft 2 – How to prepare for your baby's arrival, as well as bathing and breastfeeding your newborn
Session 5: Exercise 1 – Exercises during pregnancy
Session 6: Exercise 2 – Relaxation and preparation for labour and childbirth
Session 7: Exercise 3 – Review of antenatal exercises and getting back in shape with postnatal exercise