After the birth of my baby, I felt all the benefits that I received from attending school for future parents. Although initially she did not want to go there. I was agitated by my doctor. She strongly recommended that you still go to class. And I didn't understand why?
And really, why? After all, you can read all the information yourself on the Internet. However, as soon as time went by for childbirth, I prepared in a prominent place a notebook with notes of lectures from school and used these notes after the hospital for a long time. And now, in anticipation of the second baby, I do not remove these records far.
From experience, most schools for future parents can be divided into two groups: with a medical or psychological bias. In any case, you choose what is closer to you in spirit.
At maternity hospitals and polyclinics, schools are often organized for future parents, in which classes are mainly conducted by doctors. I got to such a school too. The format can be different. But more often than not, these are lectures that are read by those doctors with whom you will later meet in the maternity or postnatal wards. They will talk about how childbirth is going, about the actions and functions of each of the staff in the mother's ward, as well as about the features of caring for a newborn. Attending such lectures provides qualified information. You can always ask a question that interests you and get a competent answer. And obtaining information, as is known in psychology, significantly reduces the anxiety that inevitably appears in a pregnant woman for the first time. The format of personal communication with doctors is much more useful than reading literature on your own. Personally, you can always discuss what is incomprehensible or controversial, hear all the arguments. In our classes, half of the time was taken up by the discussion.
It happens that at such schools excursions to the maternity ward are organized. This is also very conducive to a calm mood during labor. After all, you will come to a familiar place.
Another group of schools for pregnant women is more psychological. Classes in such schools are conducted by psychologists specializing in perinatal psychology. For such schools, the training format is more typical. Although you will also receive purely medical information there, but to a lesser extent. More you will be able to work through your worries about the upcoming motherhood, analyze your relationship with your mother (an issue that is exacerbated during pregnancy), share and experience your fears, etc. The period of waiting for the baby is often accompanied by an exacerbation of any psychological problems. This is fine. A woman overestimates herself and her life, changes her role in society and her family. A psychologist, as well as a group of the same pregnant women (if the format involves classes with elements of group psychotherapy) will help to cope with the difficulties that arise.
In schools, separate classes or even the entire course are intended for both parents. This greatly helps to unite the family, the husband better understand what is happening with his beloved woman, and how he can help her. Perhaps you will decide on a partner birth, when the husband is present in the birth during labor, and in some cases - during the birth itself.
In any case, choose what you want; what is right for you, including the price. Read reviews for schools and go. It will definitely not be superfluous. Even if you do not hear anything new, you will know that you have the correct information in full and are ready for the birth of a baby.
