NCT vs Hypnobirthing

[ceebie]

I can't afford to pay for both a NCT antenatal course and a Hypnobirthing course... so I need your help!

I have read lots of positive posts about Hypnobirthing and my DH and I have been to an introductory evening with the Hypnobirthing practisioner in my area. It seems to cover the physiology of childbirth in addition to relaxation techniques, so it sounds like the best possible preparation for a natural childbirth... so this course really appeals to me.

HOWEVER, I am concerned that I will not learn about other aspects of childbirth and having a new baby which would be covered by the NCT course.

I don't know very much about the NCT courses, but they seem to cover a broader range of topics. Even though I ideally want to avoid pain relief if possible, I would nevertheless like to have some knowledge of this... just in case things don't go to plan. The NCT also seems to cover things like intervention /caesarian etc (again - need to know in case it becomes necessary), and breastfeeding, etc...

I also don't know anything about any NHS classes that may be offered? Next midwife appointment in 2 weeks, I will ask then.

Can anyone tell me more about NHS classes and NCT courses? How useful did you find them? How much about relaxation techniques and natural childbirth is covered by the NCT course? I've heard lots of positive stories about Hypnobirthing but did anyone find it a waste of money? Did anyone do both the NCT and Hypnobirthing? Did you feel both were invaluable for different reasons, or could you have dispensed with one? (ie Did either course cover everything so well that the other wasn't necessary?)(Sorry for all the questions!)

Just to note, my nearest Hypnobirthing classes are not very close to home so we would probably have private classes at our house, whilst the NCT course is local and I am likely to meet other Mums-to-be in my area - have just moved here and don't know many people. However this shouldn't be the major consideration and presumably I will have plenty of other opportunities for meeting other parents in my area?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for your help!

[MommyHasaHeadache]

I did hypnobirthing instead of NCT and in hindsight I wish I had gone to the NCT course instead (and made those friends!) Hypnobirthing didn't work for me (probably didn't practice enough), and my birth ended in a c section. And in my class all you learned about was hypnobirthing - nothing else.

[bohemianbint]

Can't comment on the NCT as I never went - but can vouch for the hypnobirthing! Although it does seem to make a huge difference whether you get a good teacher. Ours was excellent, but I do know people who weren't impressed and didn't get as much info/time as we did.

[Lubyloo]

I can highly recommend both! I went to NCT classes more to meet other people than to learn about the actual birth etc. If I had to choose one to do though I would have done the hypnobirthing and think it was well worth the money.

Could you maybe do the NHS classes to learn about the birth/postnatal period etc? The NHS in our area also does a natural birth day in addition to the antenatal classes so maybe your area does too.

As for meeting people the NHS runs Bumps and Babes coffee mornings so they could be great for you to meet other mums and are free!

[Mummyfor3]

I did the NCT course, mainly for social reasons 7 years ago: first time mum in new area, had a vague suspicion I was going to need some friends to moan with in the near future (and I was right..)
I also attended the hospital classes that were offered here - they concentrated more on the more "technical" bits of child birth, interventions, things not going to plan I suppose. I felt a bit odd as I was about twice as old as anybody else at 36! But that may just have been our neck of the woods .
Have no personal experience of hypnobirthing, but on paper sounds v good. I am not sure which side to come down on, but would probably go for the more local course as in RL NOTHING can prepare you for child birth IMO; it is exciting/scary/brilliant/amazing/messy and IME all sorts of different modes of delivery can be a positive experience: I had one induction, one emerg CS and one "natural" birth, and bizarrely have "fond" memories of all of them.

Good luck !

[Lubyloo]

Sorry - should say the NCT does the Bumps and Babes coffee mornings not the NHS

[chequersmate]

Ooh, I remember having the same thoughts pre-birth but now it's so obvious to me that they are both totally different things!

If you think you can get something out of both I'd really try to do both.

I went for NCT in the end (to meet other people). If I went for another vb in the future I would DEFINITELY give HB a try though.

I have to say though, if it came down to money I would chose NCT again - my NCT friends have been really important to me.

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

I went to both NCT and hypnobirthing and actually it's a tough call which one to choose as they address different areas.
I think hypnobirthing was much much better at dealing with coping techniques for pain and labour positions but the friends I made at my NCT class have been invaluable even if the information wasn't really worth it (that's because I'm a control freak and read everything about pregnancy/labour anyway).

I could have NEVER have faced my labour as I did without hypnobirthing but I would have never got thru the first 4 months without my NCT friends.

Your local hospital should offer both ante natal classes and also classes which are usually run by physios which will talk you thru breathing techniques and labour positions.

P.S I think we had one hour on a new baby at the NCT so don't think it's going to cover that for you.

Is there no way you could afford both? cheaper pushchair? cheaper cot?

[chequersmate]

Sorry - just to say - I've met lots of lovely people at toddler group but haven't felt the same bond as I do from spending time with people immediately pre-birth and after-birth who have exactly the same age DC.

[chequersmate]

I agree Libra, the classes themselves taught me NOTHING I hadn't already learned on Mumsnet. But the social side of it, I wouldn't have been without.

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

Also agree with BohemianBint about hypno teacher, ours was fantastic but I think the standard probably varies. You could wait until you start NCT and then see if anyone in your group has considered it and offer to host it in your home then you could get a group rate.

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[TamTam29]

i did NHS and NCT antenatal classes as I was adament DH would attend and he couldnt make the NHS ones as they were in the day and NCT were in the evening.

They were both informative and useful - think we were lucky to have good teachers at both. Having done both I dont know if I could justify the cost of the NCT lessons - i think if you cant get (free) NHS lessons in your area then book them. The NCT are a charity and so provide free lessons or reduced price if you cannot afford their antenatal courses.

I am still in contact with all my NHS and most of NCT antenatal mums, now our little ones are around 20 months. We have shared so many things together.

Antenatal classes are not just about learning to deal with labour and what to do afterwards, the friends you make are invaluable in the early days - especially if you have given up full time work to stay at home for the first time in your life - it can be quite a culture shock! and it helps to have others to share that with.

[Hybrid]

DH and I attended both the NHS antenatal and the NCT but not the HB.

I would definitely, DEFINITELY recommend doing the NHS class as it's lead by people who are practicing now and who have medical knowledge which is up to date. It also gives you a chance to have a tour of the wards/delivery suites that you're actually going to be using (although many do tours anyway) as well as stupid things like knowing where the nearest car park is and how to get in if you arrive late in the night and the doors are shut - all of which made me feel loads better. They will also tell you the policies which apply to that Trust so you know it's all relevant to you.

We've just done a NCT course which, to be honest, was nowhere near as good as the NHS one in terms of the factual stuff. But again, the quality is completely dependent on the teacher you get. Our teacher didn't seem to have any up to date experience and gave some information which I was a bit dubious about. However, the people we met were really lovely and I'm pretty confident that many of us will stay in touch which was the whole point of us doing the NCT as we're new to the area.

You're absolutely right though, you do need to have good broad information about all the different options during child birth as, with the best will in the world, you just don't know what might happen on the day. Perhaps, as others have suggested, do the HB and the NHS antenatal so you only have to pay once. The NCT for us was specifically to meet people in our area.

Enjoy whatever you do!!

[childrenchildreneverywhere]

Hi,

I'm a HypnoBirthing teacher - also have 4 children and have done the HypnoBirthing course, NCT course and NHS course and have to add that they are all pretty different with different pros and cons, my births after learning HypnoBirthing were hugely different to mine after NHS & NCT. In my mind the ideal mix (if you were limited for funds) would be:

HypnoBirthing course for learning about normal labour techniques, prepping your partner and boosting your confidence (statistically more likely to lead to a better birth) PLUS NHS course if you want to learn about "when things go wrong" and joining the NCT and going to coffee mornings to meet local mums (actually you don't even need to join for this!).

If you can afford to do both, around 50% of my HypnoBirthing clients do both and say they are pleased they did both, they don't hugely contradict or repeat much in terms of content. Remember you have the £190 health in pregnancy grant which will pay for one course.

Re. HypnoBirthing I REALLY agree with the comment about really looking for a teacher you think you will get the most from, standards seem to vary hugely where I am and I've had to take over a few courses now where the clients weren't happy with their original choice of teacher and what they were getting from the course. Really interview the practitioner, don't go with them just because you've met them/they are the cheapest/nearest. Your relatioship with them, trust and confidence in them is VITAL for your birth outcome and the outcome of HypnoBirthing can so often be a reflection of the practitioner not the course. Also it's vital to remember you can't just go to classes and expect it to be the magic answer to a perfect birth, you must practice the techniques - lots and you must use them on the day.

Also, many HypnoBirthing teachers will also offer shorter "birth with hypnosis" courses - these aren't HypnoBirthing, but they do introduce you to generic hypnosis for birth techniques that can work well in combination with the NCT classes. I run a 3 hr workshop for £75 including handouts and a CD - taught on a one to one basis. So you could always ask a few teachers within an hour's distance from you (as it's only a one off journey) if they offer similar (if it helps you at all I work in Cambs/Essex/Herts & Suffolk). Also, many HypnoBirthing teachers also run seperate baby calming/parentcraft workshops too (I run baby massage classes and baby calming classes which many of my HypnoBirthing clients also like to take).

The NCT is without fail the best for the social aspect though!

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Gillyan]

My hypnobirthing CD arrived yesterday. I had a horrid first birth and couldn't go to my nate-natal classes si I am getting extra prepared this time. I am actually booked in for an elec/section but am preparing myself just in case.

I'll let you know how I get on with the CD when I give it a listen.

I am also going to ante-natal classes at the hospital.

[ceebie]

Thank you all so much for your help and advice - appreciate it all very much and will mull it all over before making a final decision as to what course(s) to do!

[alana39]

I think the NHS classes can be variable (for my first pregnancy the hospital was changing their system of classes which meant late cancellations and general disorganisation) so we didn't meet the same people every time and the social side suffered. It also depends on type of hospital, as for some large generals the other couples will be coming from miles around and you may not actually live anywhere near. That said, it's worth going because they're free and full of information about the place where you will actually be giving birth - but if I had my time again I'd have paid to go to NCT or something else just to meet a group of people due around the same time.