My Care During Pregnancy and Beyond
Antenatal Classes
Q. What types of antenatal courses are available?
All units offer antenatal classes. In some units a general antenatal class is the only offering (Cavan General Hospital, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise & Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar). In other units classes are offered to specific groups.
| First time parents - Mothers only (offered in 13 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| First time parents – couples only (offered in 13 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Refreshers (2nd or subsequent baby) (offered in 12 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Teenage parents (offered in 13 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Twins or other multiples (offered in 5 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| VBAC (offered in 1 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
No unit offers a class specifically for assisted conception pregnancies.
Please click here for more details e.g. class location, times, etc...
Q. What topics can I expect to be covered in the courses?
We asked the units what topics they typically covered in an antenatal course.
| Diet (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Exercise (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Minor disorders of pregnancy (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Signs of labour (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| When to go to hospital (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Stages of labour (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Pain relief options (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Positions for birth (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Relaxation techniques (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Breathing techniques (included in classes in 22 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Show a birth video (included in classes in 15 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Caesarean birth (included in classes in 19 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Informed decision making (included in classes in 20 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Infant resuscitation (included in classes in 10 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Breastfeeding (included in classes in 21 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Postnatal care of mother (included in classes in 20 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Caring for newborn (included in classes in 21 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| SIDS prevention (included in classes in 19 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Birth registration (included in classes in 16 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Baby massage (included in classes in 12 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Postnatal depression (included in classes in 20 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Other | no unit chosen |
Q. How will classes help me make decisions about my labour and caring for my baby?
In general responses from units reflect the emphasis on providing information and opportunity for discussion. A small minority of units use interactive group work to help parents explore their options.
Q. Are there opportunities for me to practice physical skills for labour in an antenatal class?
Most units teach about breathing, positions and coping in labour and most provide an opportunity to practice at some stage during the course.
| Opportunities to practice skills | no unit chosen |
| Additional information | no unit chosen |
Q. Will I learn about preparing a birth plan at the antenatal classes?
Just over half of the units cover birth plan preparation routinely, with others covering it on request.
| Yes (in all courses) | no unit chosen |
| Yes (when requested) | no unit chosen |
| Yes (in some courses) | no unit chosen |
| No | no unit chosen |
Q. How am I helped to understand and explore my options for pain-relief and methods of coping in labour?
In general responses from units reflect the emphasis on providing information and opportunity for discussion. A small minority of units have more practical sessions to help parents explore their options.
| no unit chosen |
Q. Will I learn about breastfeeding?
Almost all units have a breastfeeding element in their antenatal course. The amount of time given to it varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
| Time per course | no unit chosen |
Q. If I have additional needs are there classes to suit?
We asked the units what was on offer for the following additional needs:
| Hard of hearing (offered in 13 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Language problems (offered in 14 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Visually impaired (offered in 13 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Late bookers (offered in 15 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Referrals from social workers (offered in 16 out of 22 units) | no unit chosen |
| Other | no unit chosen |