NCT vs free classes at hospital vs Hypnobirthing classes

[LaurenJohns]

Hello! Anyone got any good advice on antenatal classes?? NCT vs free hospital classes vs hypnobirthing courses or some other alternative?? Is NCT just buying friends or does it actually teach you stuff you don't learn at the free classes or hypnobirthing class?? I've read the Hypnobirthing book which was reeeaaaaaally good, so do I need classes too, or is the book enough? Thank you! I'm in Hackney btw, so any local recommendations welcome!

Hi!

First of all see if your local hospitals offer free hypnobirthing courses (here in North Essex they do!)

I actually done all the courses you have mentioned. I found the hypnobirthing course to give the least amount of detail and solely focused on the breathing/yoga/natural ways to start labour etc. BUT I found it great in terms of how to stay calm and focused (then again, I feel like I failed in my birth because I lost control but that's a different story)

The basic hospital course was good, but really was very short and I didn't learn anything new on there from what I already saw on OBEM anyway.

NCT was great for the level of detail our course leader gave us about all options. Also NCT signature courses are geared towards what you want to learn anyway, at the start our leader asked us how we wanted our course to be shaped. As we had a lady that was going to have a C section and another few that were told they need to prepare that they might need to go down that route we had a really good lesson all about C sections (and not just about the actual procedure but also about prep and after care and how it is okay if a C section happens and how to still feel in control etc). We also had a session about team work within a couple (which massively helped our relationship balance with chores actually...)

I do feel if I hadn't done the NCT course I would have been underprepared for not just how my labour turned out but also for the first few weeks with a newborn. And my new friendships are priceless - couldn't have done the nightfeeds without having them to chat to over whatsapp. Found they are a proper support system and stopped me from getting lonely over mat leave.

(NCT have different levels of payment too btw, depending on your income - one couple got the NCT free and another couple got it at a reduced price on our course. And you can pay in small chunks too.)

I’m only 2 weeks into my 5 week Nct course but I already feel it’s well worth it. I’ve learnt lots and each session is so packed with information. Not really formed friendships yet, although the other couples are nice. I’m sure in time a few of us may become friendly. Having said that I purely went for information. If I come out with some friends then that’s a bonus.
I can’t comment on the other 2 options except that I went to a nhs class with a friend 4 years ago and found it boring. I wasn’t interested in having children then so maybe that’s why.

Thanks so much for this! Your feedback is really helpful! I'll defo do the NCT...just working out now if I should do a hypnobirthing course too, or if I've gleaned enough info from books, podcasts and friends sending me mp3s from their courses...

Good luck with it all, and thank again