Letterkenny Maternity Unit Antenatal Information
Pregnancy, birth and motherhood are enormous changes in the life of a woman and her family. Antenatal care monitors your health during pregnancy, as well as the health and development of your baby. Antenatal education classes aim to help prepare the parents-to-be for pregnancy, labour and the transition to parenthood.
Antenatal Classes
This is a series of informal classes about pregnancy, labour, postnatal care of mother and baby and preparation for parenthood.
The course sessions are led by the Antenatal Education Co-ordinator and Physiotherapist. The sessions are informal get togethers, ideal for answering any questions that you or your partner may want to ask.
Booking Classes – please book by twenty weeks to secure a place
Classes in Letterkenny are booked by
- Midwife at Antenatal Booking Clinic (First hospital visit)
- Contacting Maternity Department
- Contacting Antenatal Education Co-ordinator
Classes outside of Letterkenny, in community areas are booked by
- Contacting the local Public Health Nurse
- In your local Health Centre
For first time parents a full course consists of six classes run over a three week period. This includes 5 daytime classes and one evening birth companions class. In Letterkenny, daytime classes run on Monday/Thursday 10.00am – 12 Midday The evening class runs 7.00pm – 9.00pm
For returning parents there is a Refresher Class which, in Letterkenny, runs once a month on Monday 2.00pm – 4.00pm.
Other information
- Classes are intended to start between 30-32 weeks of pregnancy
- Teenage antenatal classes are also available
- Individual attention is available for women with additional needs, by referring to Antenatal Education Co-ordinator.
Topics covered
- Health in pregnancy
- Exercises for pregnancy and labour
- What happens in labour and birth
- Breathing/positions
- Relaxation
- Pain relief options
- Tour of Maternity Unit
- Caring for your baby at home
- Breastfeeding
- Your own health after the birth
- Continence awareness
- Emotions surrounding pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period
- Adjusting to parenthood
- Role of partner
