Antenatal classes are educative classes which help you and your partner prepare for labour, birth and parenthood. The aim of these classes is to educate the expecting parents about late pregnancy, signs of labour, warning signs, process of labour, coping with pain, birthing, breastfeeding and care of newborn.

As soon as any couple conceives, there are many doubts and apprehensions regarding the future outcome. The busy doctor cannot counsel regarding everything in the OPD so these special classes are designed to alleviate anxiety and help the parents make informed choices regarding their pregnancy and delivery.

These classes usually begin at 28-30 weeks or when you complete 7^th month of pregnancy. This is the time when usually you and your spouse are most receptive to all the information being provided. They are important as you both can focus on the events and prepare for the birth of the little bundle and deal with the whirlwind about to make your life chaotic.

Topics discussed in  Ante Natal Classes:

• What is labour?
• How to cope with labour pains?
• Relaxation techniques
• Pain relief
• Epidural analgesia
• Benefits of yoga and other exercises
• Deep breathing
• Music and other techniques for bonding with baby in womb
• Induction of labour and its indications
• Labour monitoring
• LSCS and its indications
• Various changes after you have a baby
• Breastfeeding
• Care of newborn

Benefits of Joining a Ante Natal Class:

• Husbands feel more involved
• You get to meet people in the same stage and frame of mind with whom you bond well and feel encouraged after sharing your feelings
• Care of mother. You are encouraged to eat healthy, exercise and take care of yourself
• Care of baby- you can learn basics of the care of newborn
• Confidence building

To conclude we can say that in earlier times these things use to come naturally to the expecting parents as there were joint families and elders used to tell their experiences and educate them but now due to nuclear families parents need to learn these things from professionals and attend antenatal classes to be prepared to embrace parenthood in a more scientific and organised manner.