Why take a Prenatal Class? Do you need one?

04/03/2017

Having a baby is an exciting life event but also an extremely scary one when you don’t know what to expect.  There is fear of the unknown, fear of feeling pain, and the changes to your body, and just uncertainty all around about how to be a good parent and know what to do when baby arrives.  Does instinct just “kick in”? Or do you need to have someone “teach you”? Will just reading some books and internet articles and watching Youtube Videos prepare you for whats to come with parenthood?? Or will you feel completely overwhelmed once baby is here as much as you can prepare for it?

When I was pregnant with my first son, my husband and I did the prenatal classes through our community public health board.  We met some lovely couples, had some laughs, saw some frightening things that I had nightmares about, but also helped to make sense of a lot of things going on with my body and helped my husband to feel a bit more involved with the process.  He really learned a lot including how to be supportive and beneficial to my labour and delivery process as my birthing partner.  Obviously when the time came and I started feeling contractions, a lot of the information learned went out the window in the intensity of the moment.  But I think it did help to ease my mind and give me a bit more clarity in the fogginess of my pregnancy brain by doing those classes. 

Lately I have been asking a lot of Moms with babies about their pregnancies and whether they took prenatal classes before baby arrived and there were three clear types:

1. Those who did the prenatal classes but didn’t find them beneficial at all – felt they were dry and boring, waste of time or money, didn’t learn anything or just didn’t use or remember the information taught during labour/delivery.
2. Those who did the prenatal classes and found them very beneficial and would recommend them for the information covered, enjoyed the more personal interaction with the instructor and other couples and the ability to ask questions face to face with an expert.
3. Those who didn’t do any prenatal classes at all and didn’t feel the need (but did the hospital tour) and relied on Google, Youtube, Midwives and friends/family to source out information they wanted to know.

In the technology age we live in, it has become the “norm” to use the internet and Google as our source of news and information.  And it is also very common to overbook ourselves with activities, social engagements, meetings and work and not take enough time to just unwind and unplug.  Amidst the body changing, hormones raging and mat leave approaching it seems as if moms to be are expected or feel they need to continue life as usual until baby’s arrival and that life will continue the same after.. just “plus one”.   But for those that have had babies, we know that that is not what happens and life will never be the same, nor will you, your body, your relationships, and your choices and interests in life.    But it’s hard to know that until you go through it yourself and also hard to make others understand this until they go through it themselves.

I for one thoroughly enjoyed the personal interaction with other couples, the face to face communication with an expert and having something to do together – with purpose – as a couple.

For those on the fence about taking a prenatal class, why not consider something a little less traditional instead of ruling out the whole “prenatal class” experience altogether?

This is where we come in!  Mommy Connections is offering expecting parents a non-traditional prenatal education class led by Helping Hands Doula and other local experts! This unique full day crash course brings you a little bit of everything!  There will be information on pregnancy, birth support, labour, and delivery, but we also cover other practical and interactive topics such as car seats, baby gear, pre and post natal health and fitness, relationships, nutrition, breastfeeding support, holistic and alternative methods, and more!  You will also receive a maternity photoshoot and $200 swagbag full of amazing products, services and offers from local businesses!

Join us on Saturday April 22nd, 2017
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Urban Park Playland, 212 Earl Stewart Dr, Aurora
Price: $150 per couple, $80 per single

Bring your partner or any other support person (but you’re welcome to come on your own).  Connect with other expectant families and learn all about modern topics relating to pregnancy and baby!

As mentioned, this will not be a traditional birth preparation class but will focus on you all getting to know each other to share your pregnancy and parenting journeys, with different educational information and discussion throughout the day.

Plus each family will receive:
◾Catered Lunch
◾A Maternity/couples photoshoot onsite
◾a swag bag full of exclusive samples and discounts
◾contact information of other participants to maintain contact throughout pregnancy and beyond! (optional)
◾Alumni status for Mommy Connections Newmarket Aurora which include discounts for future Mom & Baby & Mom & Tot Program
◾A Baby Box – must register with Baby Box University and complete your online syllabus, and you will receive one in class! For details to register for your Baby Box, visit http://www.babyboxco.com/blogs/news/all-about-ontario.

Register today, spots are limited and this class fills very quickly!

Please note, registration cancellations are subject to a $25 administration fee.

**Schedule will be finalized one week prior to classes. All topics are subject to change