Prenatal classes and the jaded parent syndrome

Source : http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/cartoons/cartoon19
Source : http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/cartoons/cartoon19

It’s been awhile since I had a rant so I’m entitled to one right? With the first pregnancy we didn’t attend a prenatal class since I really had no time for it with  a full time corporate gig. Youtube and pure luck really worked out in the end anyway so I didn’t really feel that we missed out on much. Except maybe a CPR course but then again, that’s not really covered in prenatal classes I hear. Well this time around my family doctor suggested I attend a free one hosted by the St. Michael’s clinic and I figured … sure why not check it out?

As the day crept up on me I realized that I hadn’t even told the hubs about it as I was planning on going alone… but it’s a prenatal class… that’s for couples right? CRAPOLA! Fine he agreed to sacrifice his yoga class just this ONE time. He wasn’t planning on attending the 6 week session. Sure I said! Luckily my brother was available to watch the Little Monkey so off we went. Good thing the hubs agreed ’cause it was all couples! A quick look at the outline and I realized that being 2nd time parents we probably didn’t need to be here as we had already been through the real life experience and the textbook version wasn’t going to really help us. Despite being the only non virgin parents we sat through the first session anyway because it was an interesting topic of nutrition, not just for the preggos but for kids and the family. It was mainly a pull from the Health Canada Food Guide. Useful information and always a good refresher.

As the class progressed you had your typical personalities emerge; there was the over cautious mom to be who had read a bazillion books and would constantly stump the dietician with questions on random herbs and teas; there were the laid back couples looking to see what this whole birthing process would be like; there was the new immigrant couple who really had no clue on what was going on and then there was us… the jaded parents.

 

Source : http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/cartoons/cartoon25
Source : http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/cartoons/cartoon25

1st thing that comes to mind when you hear a week and 1 day …. others “late”      me “hah… wait till day 11 and you’ll know late”

How many hours of screen time should someone 2 and under have …. others ”none”   me “wait till you have one and then tell me you won’t trade some peace and quiet in exchange for an hour or two…or five of screen time. Besides, toddlers who don’t know how to use an iPad are going to be made fun of in the toddler circle

Then the best deal of all – what aspirations do you have for your 18 year old …. and there’s a picture of Bieber and Miley to show us what an 18 year old would look like!… ummm… does anyone else see the irony of having these two up given recent pop culture news?

 

Everyone knows which week they’re in and what size fruit their baby is… on yeah.. I haven’t counted weeks in.. umm.. weeks? Crap. I haven’t opened the app that tells me the veggie of the week either. Whooooooops! Yeah…. we made a decision that we will not be going back. Mainly for the sake of the naive new parents to be. We really cannot rub off our jaded views on these tender souls with idyllic images of young family life. SO if you like me are ever tempted to step into a prenatal class on your second or third… or tenth go around. Be warned! The first time around you’re in a magical bubble of how things are going to be… but then you quickly realize that what’s reality and what’s in the books, don’t always add up. Not because you can’t make them add up, but because you’ve figured out a balancing and sacrificing act that works for your family. And only your family.

 

Anyone else have a similar experience?

  • Casey E. Palmer
    September 12, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    You’re having a very different experience from me than I am with my prenatal class. I joke about the HORRORS I see as I learn more about how the birthing experience can be like and all the things that go on; but that’s the thing — I’m learning a LOT of this stuff for the first time. It gives me way more of an appreciation for what may come and how I can be of help to Sarah while she does this pregnancy business. Once the kid’s out, I know it’ll be an entirely different story, but I’m happy to be learning what I’m learning.

    We actually paid for ours — $200 for the 6 weeks over at Toronto East General Hospital. However, it’s a lot more tailored for people who’ll be delivering there, as it includes the kit of things you’ll get while you stay there, a tour of the birthing ward and several other things designed to make it more comfortable. Make it so that expecting Moms can better visualize what’s coming for them.

    There was even an additional breastfeeding class included in the package!

    I guess I’m just saying to each their own. I look forward to the future weeks not ONLY for the knowledge I’ll gain, but it also makes for AMAZING blog material 😉

    Great post, Yashy 🙂

    • Yashy
      September 13, 2013 at 10:40 am

      Exactly the point! I’m not going because it is very useful for 1st time parents! I can’t let my personal experience having gone through the process tinge your experience. Good luck with the glass – you both will doing awesome-ly!! 🙂 p.s – this free course covers the same topics and is for those delivering at St. Michaels.

    • Janice
      October 4, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      Thanks for your post Casey! I am planning to take the prenatal classes at Toronto East General too because I found their $200 fee covered alot of material (6 week of classes, 4 postpartum classes, as well as breastfeeding and baby massage)

      However, i won’t be delivering at that hospital, i’m actually planning a natural birth with a midwife at North York General….do you think this course is relevant enough for my scenario? Did they cover enough about natural birth and natural pain relief? We’re you happy overall with their classes?

      Thanks in advance!

      • Casey E. Palmer
        October 6, 2013 at 9:50 pm

        Hi Janice,

        We have our last class this week, and I’ve have to say that it’s been a ton of useful information! You have to figure out what elements are the most for your individual situation, but since the class sizes are small (capped at 10 couples), you get a lot of individual attention for whatever questions you might have.

        Sarah’s found the breastfeeding class the most helpful so far, and you wouldn’t get a ton out of the tour, but I know as a father I’ve gone from absolutely clueless in Week One to feeling far more confident about not screwing my child up for life in Week Six 🙂

        I’ve been meaning to blog about the experience, now that you mention it….

        *puts it on the to-do list*

        I hope you find it as useful as I did 🙂

  • Victoria Ess
    September 13, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    Haha does that mean you’re not attending class number 2?

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