NCT Classes - good? Worth it? When do you join?

[charlyp]

Am 9 weeks and considering NCT - have lots of friends who all said good things, but have discovered its quite pricey so wondered waht the MNers views were, also when do you join - have scan on 17th nov so was thinking might look into it then?

any advise, comments, thoughts gratefully recieved

You don't need to join the NCT to benefit from their classes, but you do need to contact whoever arranges NCT antenatal classes in your area (often a bookings secretary handles class arrangements for all the NCT Antenatal Teachers in a branch area). I'd do it sooner rather than later as classes are usually oversubscribed, especially if NHS cuts mean no hospital parentcraft classes locally.
I'm biased in that I had a brilliant NCT teacher for both my sets of classes (1st timers and refresher). When they are good, they are excellent. They are usually pretty good IME!
The money is quite reasonable considering the amount of effort and time it takes to train as a teacher before you can be NCT-accredited, and some of it is used to support the national work of the NCT.
If money is a major issue for you most branches offer some subsidised places charlyp.

Don't know how I'd have managed without our NCT group! Some of us still meet up each week for a play and our kids are 3 now. it was so good to have a support network, just to bounce ideas off, moan to, celebrate with etc. the dads aren't too fussed tbh but us mums are determined to keep it going. At first we met in pubs for a drink with our babies then as they got bigger we went to each others houses. Now we go to the park, soft play...
the classes were helpful sometimes too. the cost can be waived if necessary.
Good luck

I went to classes and joined after DS was born
Classes were good, I still see some of the people I met there

If you decide not to do the classes you can still join and most branches do some sort of antenatal teas where you can meet other new moms

I went to NCT classes but in retrospect, I'd have been just as well to go to the free NHS ones. However, if you want to meet like minded people and continue to see them after the birth, then it might be worth it.

DS is 5 now and I still see the mums and children from the NCT classes that I did while pregnant with him. I have made some very good friends.
We all have second children now, and so it is hectic when we all get together, but still very good fun.
We still see each other pretty much weekly, it''s been great.

i loved my nct classes. the hospital ones were bobbins in comparison.
the teacher was lovely , we used to have a laugh and six years later one of the women i met is one of my best friends still. go for it.

i have just got back form visitign a friedn anad her kdis i met in 1998 at NCT classes
s he is a god pal and live a longway away

we are god paretns

sounds like its an all round good thing then. will contact local group and find out what the score is

thanks for info