Mums-to-be hit out as antenatal classes axed

THOUSANDS of pregnant women and their partners will feel under-prepared and experience higher levels of anxiety following a health board’s decision to cancel its antenatal classes, it is claimed.

Cwm Taf University Health Board, which covers Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil, has confirmed that it has stopped antenatal classes until further notice.

Antenatal classes, which are free on the NHS, help expectant mums and dads prepare for the arrival of their newborn and offer advice about pain relief during labour, relaxation, the birth itself and feeding techniques.

They are usually run by an experienced midwife and are offered to couples between eight and 10 weeks before the due date.

Heavily-pregnant Gabrielle Pearce, who is just five weeks away from giving birth, said she was bitterly disappointed when she was told over the phone that her antenatal class at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital had been cancelled.

The 32-year-old from the village of Efail Isaf, near Llantrisant, said many families will feel less clued-up and more anxious ahead of the birth.

She said: “I want to breast-feed my baby and I was hoping to learn as much as I could from the class.”

In response, a spokeswoman for Cwm Taf University Health Board said: “Due to staffing pressures, Cwm Taf University Health Board has had to make the decision to cancel some of its antenatal classes.

“This is a short-term measure and we apologise to the women affected by this decision.

“We hope to reinstate these sessions as soon as possible and in the meantime information and planning around place of birth will continue to be provided and discussed with women through their appointments with their community midwife.”