November 2014- Thread 6- Pink, blue or yellow? 20 week scans coming up for the rainbow collective

[Alita7]

Wow this makes me feel so far along! Nearly halfway!

utopian - we found the nct useful last time - more for the social aspect as you say. Dont need that this time but yep - probably will be good in you are in a new area.

I didnt think there was alot last time in NCT on actual relaxation etc and there was a pretty big focus on the baby, cord care, how to change a nappy etc. Dont really need that now.
This time I am a bit clearer on what i want with more of a focus on labour, breathing, posture etc. With the lazydaisy and the hypnobirthing course, i think i will be "classed out." PLus - i spent a whack on all our scans / tests with a fair bit of outlay still to go on classes, TENs, pool and doula - cant justify any more costs

I'm not necessarily new to the area as I lived nearby in my teens, so it would be good to meet some nearby mums. I've heard from others NCT classes are around £200, which I can't afford on my part time hours. Is that right?

I'm don't think I'll need all the sessions as I'm having a cs, plus I might not be able to bf due to my medication.

I was told to call back on Monday so let's see what happens then. I can't be the only person due October/November without a class?

Gosh I've missed so much. phone app has be doing my head in and not been getting chance to go on thr laptop. Hope everyone is ok. Will try to catch up later with the thread

Brandsnob I can't remember where you are located, but I signed for the 'essentials' NCT classes in Woking and they are £95 for one person or £130 for a couple. I think you get six classes of two hours. They can also give discounts so it might be worth enquiring?

Daisy classes are £55ish for 6 weeks down here and I've found them immensely informative and useful. I had to find something as our NHS ante-natal classes were pulled in June, permanently.

NCT costs vary depending what part of the country you're in. Up here in wildest Yorkshire the Essentials course is £110 for the two of us. We do have some semi NHS ones booked as well - but have gone for the additional NCT ones because of the social aspects.

ION - am on antibiotics from my insect bite on Tuesday. Although am just having to do my best with the eating 1hr before food/empty stomach thing.

I'm just doing the nhs classes. I hope they're any good because I'm clueless!

Just back from our scan, all was well :-D little tinker was being a little uncooperative and we had to go for two walks around the hospital grounds to get everything that was needed! Luckily we had both taken the whole day off and the department wasn't too busy so we were able to have three scans and get everything done without needing another trip. Baby kept their bits nicely tucked away so didn't even get a hint of the sex which is exactly what we wanted. Got one lovely pic where he/she looks like they are blowing kisses. Now got a weekend away just the two of us. Sorry, the three of us. YAY!!

Thank you all again RE baby movements. Sure baby is just too relaxed in there...Hopefully he/she will move soon :-) Thank you for the acid/heartburn advice...on the gaviscon now and going to see how I get on over the next few days.

DP and I have booked ourselves onto NCT essentials course mainly just for the social aspect. I've heard really good reviews from my friends. None of my friends have young children so I thought it would be a nice way to get out and meet new mummies like me. Ours cost 165 + 40 membership fee which you have to pay for East Hants areas. The one in our area was fully booked by 8 weeks preg so we've had to settle for the next town over.

Moggle congratulations on the scan. The picture sounds cuuuuute!!!

I found the NCT classes to be absolutely useless to be honest, overpriced, scary and full of crap. HOWEVER meeting the other local mums due the same time was invaluable and we stayed good friends for a good few years. I've signed up again mainly because this time I get a huge discount otherwise I wouldn't have but am planning on keeping my ears and eyes closed the entire time and just getting the other mums email addresses! Some of the photos and illustrations they showed and graphic information they gave was just totally unnecessary, yet they missed out everything vital and basic and didn't talk about any of the available options. Honestly there is such a thing as too much information! I'm hoping it was just one bad course and teacher and this one will be far better. I think it is going to be very different as the last one was for first time couples, this one is for subsequent single mothers, no men allowed. Could be really empowering meeting strong, independent, capable older women who have chosen this or wrist slashingly depressing full of broken hearted young girls dumped by selfish arsehole boyfriends... suppose I'll find out soon enough!

Just realised I can upload a pic on my phone, hope this works...

Oh moggle what a lovely picture!

I have my scan in an hour and I'm really nervous!

Last time we did nhs classes which consisted of one on Labour n birth for couples n one on care of baby just for mums as they were discussing breast feeding and some women wouldn't want men there I was sarcastic n said ohhhh we have had sex but we couldn't possibly discuss boobs with men if anyone would have been offended for cultural reason send men for coffee for 20mins. Anyway it was crap midwife was about 75 long retired came back to do classes n I was having elec c section so no use to us n perhaps as a children nurse and maternity night nanny I didn't really need the baby care one.

Anyway the nhs one's are now run by this company I looked them up n they are £20 a session for 4 sessions so I clicked on their private classes which are smaller run in local venues n they are £18 a class n 3 sessions odd n also wrong as most people will ring number on sticker on notes n just agree with what told I googled them to check credentials.

I am not doing any classes will save money for baby classes of some description after to meet other people.

Grrrr, I wrote areally long post about the nct classes in my area and the cuts and it seems to have vanished. The phone app is so glitchy at the moment

Costs, not cuts sorry

Congratulations on the happy scan news

I looked into NCT in my area (South East London) and they wanted £327! So I think we're just doing the NHS one which is one four hour course at my hospital.

Bit worried this won't be enough and so have been considering lazy daisy too but the nearest one is quite far away.

First time mum though so I'm worried 4 hours won't be enough. But I do have good support and books

Thank you so much Hopeful, your post echoed the one I 'lost'!

Same cost for me as even though I'm Surrey, I'm classed as London as I'm right on the border.

Lazy Daisy is quite far for me too, and I don't think what they teach is for me.

My 20 week scan was all good! We saw him yawn too, he looked so cute. Can't wait to meet him!

Aw congratulations blamber :-D

I'm also in surrey and my nct classes are at the London rate :-( it is a lot. gotta be worth an email to enquire about discounts? As it's a charity not relying on govt money, may be it will be at organiser's discretion?

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

My NCT classes in Wales have cost £250! That's 4 intensive sessions and one meet up afterwards. I signed up when I was only 7 weeks so have spread the costs and it's not so bad. It was a bit of a must have for me, as none of my friends are in the same place baby wise, and me and husband are going to need to make some new friends :/ can't believe the discrepancy in pricing though I would have thought wales would be at the cheaper end??

Hi just posted a thread for free hotmilk maternity knickers on main pregnancy page.

Oh oh! Where..?

Thanks Eastmids, ordered mine :-)
Don't really get the whole 'maternity knicker' thing but they look nice :-)

Congrats on scans blamber and moggle

Hello ladies! For those of you sun lovers out there the whole 'mask of pregnancy' thing is no joke!! I've worn factor 30 the whole week and I looked like a Mexican wrestler, its really dark on my cheekbones and forehead. Bronzer evens it out but my dp is amazed by it!!

Hello all! Just place marking after catching up on the thread. DP & I went away after the 20 week scan on holiday - it was fantastic but back to reality now, bah.