Well, as an Antenatal Teacher with the NCT, I could write all day on this subject.

For classes to be really beneficial to parents, you have to first understand about how adults learn. They don't want lectures. They may well have read lots and talked to friends before coming to classes, so will probably be quite knowledgeable already. They will probably have their own opinions on lots of subjects.

So, bearing these things in mind, when I'm facilitating classes I find out first how much the group know and build on that knowledge, with short snappy activities. No activity lasts more than about 20 mins. I have lots of visual-aids. We do lots of small group work and feed back. It's also really good to keep people moving. When you're sat on your bum for 2 hrs, you soon switch off!

Clients set their own agenda for the course and the content of the course is tailored to meet their needs.

Activities can include:

Discussing the birth environment & options of where to have the baby. How to adapt the hospital environment to meet the woman's needs. Useful things to take into hospital. The role of hormones in labour and how adrenaline can interrupt the process.

Discussing the role of the birth supporter. How does the birth supporter feel about being there? How does the woman feel about her partner seeing her in labour? Lots of practical tips for birth supporters.

Getting clients to order birthing charts, that show the process of birth. Like this. Then talking through the process and filling in gaps in their knowledge. I also use the doll and pelvis to talk about the birthing process.

Practicing breathing techniques / massage techniques / positions for labour.

Building up a scenario of induction of labour, with lots of labels / visual-aids for things like the CTG monitor & drip. Then, discussing how this may feel, what can be done to make the woman more comfortable (e.g she could sit in a chair, rather than stay on the bed.) We also discuss tactics for helping to get labour started.

Discussing options for pain relief. Pro's & con's of each. Personal preferrances.

Discuss options for 3rd stage.

Communicating with health professionals. Being assertive, without being aggressive.

Discussing issues around assisted birth - forceps / ventouse / caesareans. I use Playmobil characters to build up the scenario of who will be there in theatre. - This always goes down well. Discussing how women may feel if their baby is born by caesarean. What can they do to help themselves during the recovery time? Check out this!

Lots of time is also taken to discuss issues surrounding becoming a parent, both emotional and practical. I always do a baby bathing activity, where I get one of the partners to bath a doll, but the group have to tell him what to do. I have lots of baby products available and we discuss what they really need; disposible v washable nappies; what to expect in a nappy! etc. (I fill a nappy with marmite and another with mustard! )

I pass round a "goody bag" with all sorts of items in, to stimulate discussion about "life with a baby". - From teething to sex and all things between!

We always run a breastfeeding class, but this is led by one of our highly trained breastfeeding counsellors.

Is that enough.....? I could go on and on. There is so much to cover.

Having said all this, one of the main things about NCT classes is not the information covered, but the friendships forged. Lots of time is allowed for ice-breakers, discussions, socialising etc.

Sorry, this is a very l-o-n-g post.

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