The NCT catalogue - WTF!!

[MachinesAreGo]

Just seen a copy of this catalogue. Now, for an organisation which is trying to shed its lentil-weaving, middle-class image, it has got
this VERY wrong.
It is a garment designed to give birth in ffs with, and I quote, "An inspirational, original poem printed in silver on the inside neck line".
£60 for a bit of cotton! What about an old shirt if you want some coverage? Do they think women should really be spending their money on this sort of thing?
Interestingly, it has sold out in sz 10 (comes in black and raspberry, arf!), so there is obviously a market, but by God, by sellig this the NCT are really pushing the 'perfect birthing experience' line, which imo does women no favours at all. Makes me mad! AIBU?

I think this has come up a few times. fwiw, a lot of first time mums are worried about giving birth, particularly the loss of control and perceived dignity.

If wearing this frock boosts their confidence, then why not? Nobody's forcing anyone to buy it.

YANBU £60 for somethin to giuve birth in!! no way --- old nightie for me, everytime (actually think it may have been same old nightie all 4 times)

is that VB modulling it?

This has been discussed on other threads and when the NCT chief executive came on to MN to do a live webchat a couple of weeks ago she explained the thinking behind 8that8 dress

But I agree with OP YANBU

trellism- I get all that, I really do. But is the NCT really empowering women by giving them the idea they need to spend £60 on a shirt which they might not even wear . It is setting up a culture that if women want to do it 'properly' they need all these (expensive) props, which is wrong, and it increases feelings of inadequacy when labour and birth aren't quite as serene as they were led to expect.

YANBU - utterly bonkers. I was also alarmed to find out just how much 'equipment' was being touted for breastfeeding. I mean bras, yes, but all the other stuff? I thought one of the upsides of bfing was saving money.

I didn't realise this had already been done. Good - I am glad other people got as annoyed as me. What was the NCT's defence?

Well the poem and name (womana??!!) are hideous, but actually I think it looks quite nice and you could use it while pg and bfeeding as the bumf says..

Is the woman in that picture preparing her post-baby bath? Dress looks lovely, but there's no sick on it, and how come she can cross her legs without wincing?

I really object to the idea of birth being a bloody fashion show! Put a big night dress or a t shirt on for goodness sake. Further evidence that the NCT are a bunch of smug lentil weavers who try convince us all that birth is a wonderful experience. Motherhood is, but giving birth bloody well isn't. So, as I step from my soap box...YANBU

she might look etheral and mimsy pre-birth in her kaftan

post birth like the rest of us she will look like she fell oot the bin...and hopefully she wont care for 1st month

Oh, I saw that and also thought what????? so YANBU

I laboured in an old tshirt of my sister's DH first time around as it was the only thing that fitted me at the end, and with DD I was too scared to care what I was or wasn't wearing (VBA2C)

takes all sorts though.....I could never understand why anyone cared about leg/bikini waxing pre birth either; I'm sure the gynaecologists don't stop to admire how well tended a woman's bush is!

Its the copy under the image where it suggests it will help the wearer "feel feminine" which is most ridiculous. They're suggesting you wear it while pushing a baby out of your fanjo, you don't get much more female than that.

Or are people genuinely concerned that the doctors/midwives will think that they're butch and masculine unless they are delicately attired for the delivery?

wot lucky says, my thoughts exactly.

I can gurantee that if you turn up to birth in that some down to earth midwife will say 'ooh are sure you want to wear that, it's brand new' andthe expectant mother will be all embarassed and end up defending her shopping habits whilst contracting.
I wore a hospital gown first time and the same aged nightshirt with a burron front the next two times. The blood washed out of that really well actually - it's good to go again - just me that isn't!

...the Womama Birthing Wrap is the only clothing designed specifically for labour and birth, allowing you to feel comfortable and feminine on your special day...

Toss, I say! What a lot of (extortionately priced) toss! Giving birth does not require a "little black dress". Anymore than it does a pair of Jimmy Choos and a sequinned clutch bag.

It's a mucky old process that is far better undertaken in something you don't mind ruining. You can squeeze the concertina shaped thing that was once your stomach into something elegant (and covered in baby sick) afterwards.

Whoa! £60. For a dress, that's going to be ruined!!! And with that some families will be lasting the next 2 weeks, or at least save the cash for a taxi to hospital... Interesting that people are actually buying it.

i rather think they are being aspirational yummy mummy rather than lentil weaving putting this stuff in their catalogue.

in the process it undermines what one of the main intentions of the NCT is. empowering women in the birthing process.

YANBU
I'm jolly glad no one got me one of these as I can't stand clothes whenI'm in labour. Would have been a waste of £60.

Oh yes, I so remember, as I was on all fours giving birth, asking my husband how my outfit looked!

I am very against the NCT. I found them extremely unhelpful when I was pregnant and after my baby was born.

That is one of the most nauseating things I've seen in ages. Bleugh

A link for those of you with strong stomachs www.nctshop.co.uk/Womama-Birth-Wrap/productinfo/2506/

I went to Matalan and bought the cheapest nightshirt I could find with full intention of binning it afterwards. Ended up in theatre with a hospital gown on having a c-section but at least I didn't have any expectations of looking glamourous during birth!

Saved my money for some nice-ish feeding PJ's for afterwards so that I wouldn't feel like a complete hag when the relatives tuned up to see the new arrival.

What the hell, i did not care what i gave brith in, what a lot of money for a nightdress in effect. I am sure that you can find much cheaper on the highstreet even John Lewis no doubt.

I would rather spend £60 on a lovely dress that makes me feel fab after birth, yes an old nightie did me, it was comfy and familiar.

I had lots of cheapie nighties from Primark. I wanted to bin them afterwards, but my mum took them home and washed them all properly to get the blood out. They're still in my drawers upstairs.