Antenatal school – why is it worth signing up?

In Poland, the most competent institution in the field of information on pregnancy, childbirth and perinatal care is the Rodzi Po Ludzku Foundation , which has been fighting for women's right to a dignified childbirth for 20 years. This also means intensive educational activities. The Foundation has created a large database of antenatal schools throughout Poland - it is available on the website . The Foundation writes: "A good birth cannot be a matter of chance." Exactly. And although attending antenatal classes is not obligatory, it is definitely worth devoting your time to such classes.

How to choose a childbirth school?

There are plenty of birthing schools in Poland. There are those at hospitals, there are private ones, and there are also those run by associations, foundations and various communities, including religious ones. On the one hand, it's good because there is a lot to choose from, but on the other hand, it's easy to get lost. Especially if you're giving birth for the first time. In every childbirth school, the program is more or less the same . There are classes on the physiology of pregnancy and childbirth , a pregnant woman's diet and hygiene, potential - and common - ailments, as well as feeding and caring for a newborn. The most important element of these classes is not the theoretical knowledge itself , but what you can learn from a practical perspective , which will help you get used to the whole situation. Therefore, the person who conducts the classes is crucial. An experienced midwife or doula, one who has good contact with women, is warm and empathetic, will make this easier. Therefore, it is worth checking opinions on the Internet , seeking advice from women who attended a given antenatal school or have some experience with the midwife who conducts classes.

What can you learn at antenatal school?

Classes in antenatal schools are, to some extent, derived from the research and experience of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English obstetrician who developed the so-called "Read's triad". This is a diagram explaining how much the feeling of anxiety contributes to the creation of tension , which results in an intensified feeling of pain during childbirth . The aim of participating in antenatal classes is to acquire knowledge and skills to tame this fear, and if it becomes more severe, to have tools to help overcome it. Read's circle is about a self-perpetuating mechanism: fear associated with an unknown, new situation causes tension, which in turn makes the feeling of pain stronger. Pain, in turn, fuels fear, which creates more tension... and so on.

Therefore, the key is to be well prepared in every possible aspect, both in terms of theoretical and practical knowledge. It is also good to prepare for what will happen after giving birth . This is about patient rights and standards of perinatal care . A good antenatal school will prepare you for childbirth and the postpartum period. You can read more about the rights of a woman giving birth here.

Preparing for childbirth helps shorten it and reduce the risk of complications.

Interestingly, research shows that the first birth of a woman who is not prepared for it in the way that antenatal schools or self-acquired knowledge prepare for this event (because it is an event!) lasts up to 12 hours . However, the one who has prepared - from 6 to 8 hours . Women in the "prepared" group are also at lower risk of cervical damage . This happens in 25% of women who are not prepared for childbirth and only in 6% of those who were prepared. Another aspect is also important. Men who participate in antenatal classes provide greater support to their partners , as gynecologist and andrologist Dr. Maciej Socha talked about in an interview with nikaMag . A man who knows what to expect is also less stressed and understands the needs of the woman giving birth during and after childbirth and the child more.

What do the classes at the antenatal school look like?

These are usually group meetings in the form of lectures with practical elements. Good antenatal schools invite various experts to conduct such classes - midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, physiotherapists, etc. You can participate in the classes alone or with any accompanying person . Depending on the school, classes may last from several days (so-called "express schools") to several months. Meetings are most often held 2-4 times a month and are divided into topics. Most often, women after the 20th week of pregnancy are eligible for antenatal classes.

The instructors tell us how labor begins , what the different stages of labor look like , how long they last, when to go to the hospital , and what signals should worry a woman giving birth. They also provide advice to accompanying persons - how they can support the woman during childbirth , show back massage techniques , etc. Midwives in good childbirth schools usually devote a lot of time to discussing natural methods of relieving labor pain. Another important topic is breastfeeding . At antenatal classes you can learn how to increase your chances of successful lactation.

In the era of wide access to information on the Internet, it might seem that antenatal classes are not that useful. And many women wrongly decide not to participate in classes. However, in addition to substantive preparation, the antenatal school also offers "practice". Midwives show how to bathe a baby , how to change a diaper, how to feed , how to massage , etc. Such practical classes are usually the most popular. Birthing classes also allow parents to get to know other people struggling with similar problems and doubts. It also offers the opportunity to ask midwives and other experts questions that are difficult to find reliable answers to on the Internet.