Statutory Paternity pay and anti-natal classes

[mountainboo]

Hi all. Firstly, I was wondering where I can get information or if there is even such a thing as statutory paternity pay for fathers who are self employed? Secondly, Are the anti-natal classes very important? I went to the pain relief one but do I really need to go to the others? I've gone and worried myself after looking at Nats thread, she's very prepared, I thought I was but I'm clearly not. I have 2 bags packed but one is for me and one is for baby, I didn't do a labor bag. I'm also not 100% sure when I should call MW.

[natalie_1982]

mountainboo - I'm not prepared but I am trying, that's what I was getting confused at, as to why I would need to bags, and that's when it got me thinking that I didn't really know what was going to happen when I got to the hospital!

I'm trying not to worry, but when you have no idea what to expect I guess you just have to trust the people around you (midwife, those who have been through it before, etc) and believe that when the time comes everything will fall into place.

I have my 34week appt tomorrow morning so I will post back here if I get any advice / answers that will help xx

With regard to paternity pay; this link might help....
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employe es/WorkAndFamilies/DG_10029398

[redcrx]

morning girls.

Im worried, and ive been through it before lol, so youre not alone. I havnt even started my bags yet and ive been warned i may go into labour early because of the diabetes so that should really get me motivated.

But, we havnt even worked out where baby is gonna sleep yet! little CRX has the 2nd bedroom, theres no way he is sharing with baby! The 3rd bedroom is my office / playroom for little CRX. I can only think that after a few weeks of being in with us we shall have to set cot up in office for little one.

You dont have to go to any antinatal classes, its entirely up to you but those that deal with feeding and newborns might be helpful.

if your bag has gotyour things for labour in ie. nightie to give birth in, some books or music, some high energy drink, maternity pads etc then thats fine. Anything you need after the birth can be collected for you.

As for the paternity leave i dont think that self employed dads are eligable but perhaps a quick call to his accountant may be of help as well as the link that Natalie has given.

[mountainboo]

Thanks Nat and Red, hope your appt goes well today Nat. I think I need to chill a bit, as you say it should all fall into place. x

[ethanryan]

hi mountainboo, i never went to any classes as they wasnt available in my area. i know it is easy for me to say it now but it will all fall into place. i didnt pack my bags until my waters broke. i think you are supposed to ring the midwife when your waters brake, i didnt though. mine broke at 1 30 in the morning so somehow i stayed really calm and went for a bath. mean while my partner went back to sleep and told me to wake him if there was any sign of baby. i had a horrible labour but managed to stay calm. the midwifes were great, i forgot half of my things but luckily the baby didnt want to come out in a hurry so my partner had time to go home. please dont panic just try to relax, and as soon as your waters brake inform the delivery suite so they can get prepared for you.
i wish you all the luck and hope you have a much easier time than i did, twice over