Learning about pregnancy and childbirth through antenatal classes
In a group discussion about having children, M told us about coming to England and having children. She appreciated the support of her local antenatal class.
Image: Heather, flic.kr/p/5UuNco
https://soundcloud.com/user-9127740/birth-stories-discussion-1a/s-aXAo7
"Yes, when I came here, I had no kids, I was married. I gave birth to my first child here. I went to the pregnancy group from the first week to the ninth month and it was a great experience. In this group, they taught us everything, about the baby from conception to labour. They told us what we should and shouldn’t do, what you should do when you go to hospital, what you should and shouldn’t take with you. They taught us everything. I learned a lot. I never missed any of my classes."
Image: Björn Hermans, flic.kr/p/8z1hdF
https://soundcloud.com/user-9127740/birth-stories-discussion-1b/s-3DFNS
"And, for me, it was ... like ... what was different for me, what was new to me, was that they told me that my husband needs to accompany me. I was really ... in fact ... I was really surprised. I was wondering what they were saying. My English was not good. The interpreter told me that it means my husband needs to be with me to the classes. So, my husband went to the classes with me; he was, more or less, helpful in taking care of the baby, in the cramps times, in giving me massages. And ... to be honest ... if someone has enrolled for the class but doesn’t go to them, it would be very difficult, especially when you don’t have any family here or any experience ... it’s really ... you’ll have a hard time, you know. It is a difficult experience, especially when you have no family here. That was my experience."