NCT - feedback

[oggybags]

hi I know there have been lots of queries from people on here re NCT, so I just wanted to add my feedback after the antenetal course this weekend - DH & I attended 2 full days (10-4)and there were 8 couples in total
its was £130 and honestly feel like it was money well spent
we are first timers and the lady coevered everything in a balanced way from pain relief to home birth to feeding etc
the group were a very mixed bunch of people ranging from 20 yrs to 'older', from unexpected pregnancies to ivf babies.
I have no affiliation with nct, but as I had a positive experience just wanted to pass it on as felt it was money well spent.
we both feel now better informed & prepared than would have done otherwise - NHS provision in my area is only 1 2 hr session.
Hope that helps someone thinking about signing up or not!

[vj32]

Can you give more detail about the kind of things you did?
I don't think I'll be doing it as we get 6hrs NHS in my area, and the times aren't that convenient in our area.

[RufousBartleby]

My DH and I did the evening NCT classes that ran over 7 weeks, at the time I felt just like you, and I really enjoyed the experience....then I actually had the baby...and it didn't seem like quite such a good course after that.

I'm not trying to dismiss your opinion of the NCT classes, but you may feel slightly differently when you've seen how the information applies in reality. Good luck though :)

[coraltoes]

i felt it helped my DH more than me...didnt learn anything that I hadnt read already in some good pregnancy books. It was lovely to meet other people though, so it depends what you're after.

[blondieminx]

DH and I did a course over 8 weeks, met some really great new friends and we are all still in touch. Our babies are all now about a year old and we had a joint party for the 8 babies two weeks ago which was lovely! Would heartily recommend it! :)

[k1tt]

I attended NCT classes ahead of the birth of my first child some 2 years hence. A word of warning to all out there - many people giving out advice at the NCT have limited (if any) medical training and so it is important to seek out medical reasoning behind specific procedures. I left NCT classes believing that staying on my feet during labour would increase the speed of my dilation - I was informed by my midwife after 24 hrs of labouring with baby going nowhere that this had in fact caused my cervix to swell and prevented dilation. Whilst NCT has it's place - please don't take their word as gospel - be open minded and have the safety of yourself and your child at the forefront of your mind during labour. Bad advice led me to have more medical intervention in the long run. Also it is what happens after the birth that defines you as a mum - the birth is a small part of this process.

If anyone from the NCT is reading this I would strongly advise actual medically trained staff should be running your classes or at least have some input.