1. An obstetric physiotherapist is specially trained to help you cope with the physical changes of
pregnancy, childbirth and children afterward. You may meet her during antenatal clases when she
will teach you antenatel exercises, relaxatiojn and breathing . active positionways you can help
youtselft during pregnancy and labour. Afterwards, she will advise on postnatal exercises to tone up
your muscles again.
Health visitors are nurses with axtra training. They are concerned with the health of the whole
family. The health visitor will contact you to arrange a home visit when your baby is ten days old to
offer help and support. You may continue to see your helth visitor either at home, or at your
childhealth clinic, health centre or gp’s surgery, depending on where she is based. Anternatal clases
can help to prepare you for baby’s is ten days old to ofter help and support. You may continiue to
see your health visitor either ot home, or at your child health clinic, health centre or gp’s surgery,
depending on where she is based.
Antenatal classes
Antenatal classes can help to prepare you for your baby’s brith and for loking after and feeding your
baby. They can also help you to keep yourself fit and well during pregnancy. They are often called
parentcraft classes and may cover relaxation and breathing, and antenatal exercise. They’re a good
chance to meet other parents, to talk about things that might be worrying you and to ask question
and make new friends. They are usually informal and fun. You may be able to go to some
introductory classes on babycare early in pregnancy . otherwise, many classes will start about eight
to ten weeks before your baby is due.
Classes are normally held ance a week, either during the day or in the eveninga, and last one or two
hours. Some classes are for women only. Others will welcome partners, either to all the sessions or
to some ot them, or you can go alone or with a friends. In some areas there are classes especially for
women whose first language is not english