Ante-natal classes

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 27 May 1992, Page 15

Ante-natal classes

Libby Tuthill, Waiouru's Community Midwife conducts Ante Natal classes once a week, free of charge, for pregnant women and their partners. Ladies are invited to attend from 28 weeks and partners are encouraged to also attend. The aim is to educate couples on ante-natal, labour and post natal care giving a comprehensive view on childbirth, from an experienced midwife's point of view. She includes 'tips' and experiences to try and make the classes as interesting and enjoyable as possible. The classes are held in the Old Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess, or known by some as the Cadets Recreation Room on Monday at 5pm. Some topics covered during her classes are: layette for the baby, breast feeding, talk on labour and pain relief, video on normal delivery and active birth, abnormal deliveries and

induction, video on the baby's first five days of life, bringing the baby home, post natal depression. Interested course members have the option to have a look around the Taihape maternity hospital. The. Plunket Nurse, Jean MacLean assists in some lectures. After

each class, there is an exercise session followed by relaxation exercises. Libby said she would like to start a short course discussing topics relevant to "early pregnancy". Some topics would include diet, nipple care and , minor disorders in pregnancy. Anyone interested can contact Libby Tuthill, Community Midwife.