"Parent craft classes"

Should be in the community rather than the hospital to make these classes more social. We thought that one of the benefits of attending these classes was to meet other expectant parents and build a support network. Unfortunately, these classes were not very social. A break half way through for tea and biscuits might help. We were offered squash at the beginning of the class but told that there was no kettle, so no hot drinks were available.

Perhaps think about how many handouts are issued. I have collected a ridiculous amount of leaflets during the course of my pregnancy. Most of this information is readily available on the NHS website and in the ready steady baby book.

The tours of the wards were invaluable. It was reassuring to be familiar with the maternity wards before the birth.

The information in the course could have been delivered using more positive language. The course fuelled the expectation that labour and birth would be a painful and difficult process surrounded in panic and fear. Also, some worrying statistics were quoted that only 60% of women have a normal birth at Raigmore without explaining that Raigmore take patients with complications from a wide catchment area. There was a lot of talk about the various medical interventions which might be needed. Yes, expectant parents need to know of these but it should be balanced with the positive side and what can be expected from a normal birth without complications or interventions. I felt that this course painted a negative picture about labour and birth, and, despite all the information that was delivered to us, neither me nor my partner felt prepared for birth.

I would like to see hypnobirthing classes offered. I took a private course and found that the hypnobirthing course prepared me far better for my birth. Hypnobirthing with Sheila Macdonald takes very positive approach to birth yet still discusses all the points that were in the parent craft course. Hypnobirthing offered us reassurance and prepared us for birth through a variety of relaxation techniques and breathing techniques which I practiced with my partner daily during pregnancy. Hypnobirthing taught me how I can help myself during labour and taught my partner how he could be part of the birth. I strongly feel that hypnobirthing should be offered on the NHS in Inverness.