NCT - is it worth £148?

[bumperlicious]

I know a similar thread has been done before, but just after a 'contempory' review! Just had a look at the NCT website and for antenatal classes plus membership it's £148! Are the classes really that worth it? What do you get for your membership?

[WinkyWinkola]

Well, I'm glad I went to classes. They cost us £175! Norf London for you.

I felt much more informed and confident giving birth having been to the classes. The birth of DS wasn't the greatest experience (36 hours labour followed by emergency C-section) but I don't know how I'd've kept quite so calm had I not got the knowledge from the classes. Having said that, I guess you could buy a good book and inform yourself that way.

And, although it's a very expensive way to make friends, I did make some great palson my course. I felt so isolated and that my world had shrunk by 2000% being a parent and my NCT friends helped a lot. It's not guaranteed you'll get on with your coursemates though.

All in all, I think it's worth it. Also, if you've not got £148 spare (and who does really?), then I think they do special rates, don't they? Perhaps I'm mistaken.

[Racers]

I did NCT and NHS. NCT cost about £90 for 3 full day sessions - it wasn't necessary to join as a member. Found both useful in their ways, but wouldn't have paid the amount you mention.
I guess it depends what you want to get out of it. I thought I'd meet people who I'd keep in touch with but most of them came from over 50 miles away and the reunions were not well organised (and consequently not well attended). It probably all depends on the tutor though... I still think they're a great organisation who do a lot of good, I just didn't get as much out of the classes as I'd hoped.
Sorry haven't got time to go into more detail.

[daisybo]

we did nct classes with ds1 and i think they are totally worth the money, i'm still involved with local stuff in the nct now (ds1 is now 2.7) and all my friends with children i have met one way or another through the nct. it's fab! you don't really get anything for your membership, and you don't have to be a member to make use of nct, although one definate benefit is you get the local newsletter with all the stuff that's on if you're a member. 'membership' is a bit of daft term, it's more of a donation to keep the charity going, and the branch aren't actually allowed to make a profit out of the antenatal classes, so the £148 will be because of hall hire and paying the ante-natal teacher etc
anyway, hope that helps

[TheBlonde]

I think they are worth it.

Membership gets you the national mag, local mag or newsletter and info on the local events - nearly new sales etc. Your branch may do postnatal teas where you get to meet other new moms.

[Glassofwine]

I did nct classes with my first and was very glad I did - I felt that I was informed and new as much about what was going to happen as I could. There were a few cringe making moment, but actually they were real ice breakers ie. sitting in a room on buckets imagining our perineums!

I was aware of the thing about making friends and couldn't help eye up the others and remember thinking that I really didn't have anything in common with anyone. One couple in particular - I wanted natural - they were going full out for drugs and he wore Mickey Mouse socks.

Do I need to tell you who is my best friend now nearly 8 years later?

[elibumbum]

Yes! You don't have to become a member so that should reduce the cost by at least £30.

I did hypnobirthing classes and NCT classes. I have to say that the hypnobirthing classes were more helpful for my actual labour (relaxation and breathing techniques) but the NCT classes were great too. I made some great friends at the NCT classes and the classes left me better prepared had things going pear shaped (didn't touch on negative things in hypnobirthing!). The NCT classes are organised so that your class mates are all due around about the same time as you - this is good as you are all going through similar experiences at the same time.