to think NCT is really expensive and there aren't many alternatives?

[Saharaw]

First time mum. Don't know much about childbirth and would love to go to classes. Can't really afford NCT which I didn't expect to be quite so expensive. I can't find any alternatives in my area and my midwife has just told me to look online for them as she's new to the area and doesn't know what's available (felt she should have looked in to this but oh well).

Someone please convince me I'm being unreasonable to think there's nothing in there and point me in the right direction? Me and DP are clueless and really want to go to classes.

*out there not in there!

What about NHS antenatal classes?

Or are there any Daisy Birthing classes near you?

@charityhallet never heard of Daisy but will google now. Thank you!

I didn't know there were NHS ones? My midwife didn't tell me about them and said I should look online? I'm confused, so do the NHS offer them routinely?

NHS usually do basic but free antenatal and breastfeeding classes. Or try Daisy Birthing.

Or you could just read books. Many people find the social side of NCT the main benefit anyway and you can also meet people for free via baby groups and Mush.

Look to see what your local children’s centre do. Mine have NHS antenatal classes but they were fully booked within a week so you’d have to be quick

I'm only 24 weeks and don't even know when I should be looking to start classes. I feel really clueless and can't seem to find much guidance!

I didn't do NCT but there were NHS antenatal courses available to me. One session on breastfeeding and two to cover birth and baby care. Unfortunately I only got on them at 36 weeks pregnant and had my baby at 38 weeks before I had a chance to attend the breastfeeding one! They book up fast.

You should get yourself signed up to NHS classes now. They did the job for me although I wish I'd read the La leche league and Kelly mom sites for breastfeeding in addition.

I found NCT really helpful, especially the social side and if you are a low income household or meet certain criteria they offer discounts of up to 90%

www.nct.org.uk/courses/course-details/reduced-price-options

@londonfeather we aren't low income. We are both on 30k each but we still have very little left at the end of the month after budgeting for maternity leave and outgoings.

If you google your local NCT rep and ring her you may find you’ll get a big discount if you say you’re (skint) ‘financially struggling’’. I was interested in my local group and put my details online and got the blurb ect. Then decided it was way too much and took it no further. Got a call weeks later from the organiser to say was I still interested as they were sorting the classes for my month and I told her we couldn’t afford it. She just let us come for less than a tenner a class IIRC. Didn’t want any income proof.

Oh xpost lol. Might be worth a shot anyway?

There will be some NHS run ones you can access for free.

To be perfectly honest though hang around on mumsnet long enough and you will learn far more than you will in any classes.

NHS ones are bump birth & beyond. I did those and hypnobirthing (Not a franchised one but one I met at a Mothercare event)

They are an optional extra and come at a cost. The NHS usually do a birth class and BF class as part of maternity care.

@pastabest I have SO many questions I want to ask but would need to write 20+ threads to cover them all! It's also for DP. Whilst he is lovely and supportive, I really want someone else to make it clear to him that his support is going to be important and will have a profound effect on my experience of childbirth.

Mn is amazing though. I've learnt so much on here already and only been a member a couple of days!

The NCT may be able to offer lower fees if you ask. Worth a try... They are a charity rather than a business.

I phoned my local NCT and they wouldn't give me a discount. I'm a single mum whose income was c. £30k at the time and would be dropping to SMP during maternity leave and I didn't qualify for a reduction in the fee.

I made great friends at my NHS antenatal group. Our babies are now all over 14 months and we still meet up now.

I just spoke to the hospital (answering phone on weekend is one of their plus points ) and the soonest they can get me in is 22nd October at which point I'll be 38 weeks. That seems really late?

It is a bit late, but better than not at all (assuming baby doesn't decide to turn up before then!).

In all honesty you've left it quite late to sign up. Your midwife should have given you info on this at your booking appointment! My hospital would take bookings once you'd had your 12 week scan and book you in to attend a course at around 7 or 8 months.

NCT do Essentials courses which are shorter and cheaper than the signature.

The issue I had is in my area the NHS doesn't run classes, NCT is expensive and also only runs one class for very few couples per month. Not so good if you're due in a busy month! It's ridiculous.

@INeedNewShoes I had no idea these courses even existed. I asked midwife a week ago and she seemed pretty clueless. Bit annoyed but such is life. Sounds like something a midwife might mention.

Some groups like La Leche League are for “bumps and babies” (and beyond!). Although admittedly you will likely only be able to attend once you start maternity leave as they tend to be during weekdays. Local Facebook Mum groups are also good for asking for advice and chatting and finding out where meet ups are happening.

@DryHeave legally in the UK you are allowed paid time off for antenatal classes so time isn't an issue for me