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South Eastern Trust Antenatal Classes

Posted By Anoqf46

"South Eastern Trust Antenatal Classes"

About: The Ulster Hospital / Maternity

(as a service user),

We recently completed 3 weeks of antenatal classes offered by the South Eastern Trust. They were over zoom on a Monday evening and started at 6:00pm.  Although the content was very helpful, the class time was less than ideal (my husband starts work at 5:45am on a Monday, and I don’t get home from work until 5.30pm).We had to cook & eat our dinner during the class.

I’d imagine we weren’t the only ones in this position. Having to concentrate on a screen for 3 hours was intense (we both nodded off a several times throughout the course). These classes would be much more effective if they were held face to face, and maybe over a 4 or 5 week period for a maximum of 2 hours. Technical issues on the midwife’s computer were also not ideal. 

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Responses

Response from Julie Johnston, Antenatal Education coordinator, Woman & Acute Child Health - Maternity, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust nearly 2 years ago
Julie Johnston
Antenatal Education coordinator, Woman & Acute Child Health - Maternity,
South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Submitted on 21/07/2022 at 17:54
Published on Care Opinion on 22/07/2022 at 09:16

Hi Anoqf46

Thank you for sharing your recent experience of attending antenatal education. I understand the difficulty you and your birth partner felt in attending your antenatal classes in the evening time from 6-9pm. I am currently piloting the programme and I have found better uptake of evening classes as opposed to daytime classes.

The attendance of the birth partner is so important in supporting a pregnant mother. In view of your feedback I hope to run a daytime session for pregnant parents in the future to ensure equitable services.

At the moment we are unable to provide face to face education due to restrictions in relation to safely delivering education to a large group of vulnerable pregnant women whilst endeavoring to maintain safe social distancing.

Whilst Covid rates of infection are closely monitored any recommended guidance from the Department of Health to reinstating face to face education will be most welcome. I wish to thank you again for expressing your opinion and I hope you have a safe enjoyable birthing journey.

kind regards

Julie Johnston

Antenatal Education Coordinator

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