CANADIAN Specialist Hospital (CSH) in Dubai has announced the commencement of its antenatal education classes for expectant mothers, to mark International Women’s Day.

The CSH’s antenatal classes will help prepare expectant mothers for labour, birth and early parenthood, in addition to acting as a guide for mothers through late pregnancy and the first weeks with their baby.

Dr Koulshan Mohammed Jameel, specialist gynaecologyst at the CSH, said, “The classes at the antenatal education programme, aimed at raising awareness on pre and post pregnancy care and the limited options available to women in the region, will start from April at the Deira branch of the hospital.”

“These sessions will help women understand pregnancy better by interacting with others, and through the assistance of our qualified team”, she added.

“Childbirth education seeks to give women a more active role in their birth experience, while at the same time helping women understand the physiology of childbirth and the appropriate interventions that may be necessary during the process of labor and delivery,” she elaborated.

According to her, the initiative will promote confidence in mothers and their partners to meet the challenge of childbirth and early parenting.

“The objective of these classes is to help expectant mothers understand pregnancy, changes in their body, growth and development of their baby, healthy eating, importance of exercise, complications and preparation for labour,” said Dr Jameel.

“The programme includes lessons on pre-conception, pre-pregnancy and for various stages of pregnancy, information about what it’s like to go through labor and birth, an explanation of medical procedures that may be suggested during your baby’s birth, and advice about what to expect if you have your baby by caesarean section,” she added.

“Advice on relaxation techniques and stress management, the opportunity to learn about and experiment with different birth positions, a guide to pain relief choices, and how to cope with disorders, practice of breathing techniques and tips on healthy eating habits and regular exercise also will be provided to the mothers,” she explained.

According to Dr Jameel, it is important for women to take ample rest, a good diet, some gentle exercise and practice some relaxation techniques during the last few weeks of pregnancy.