NCT antenatal classes versus independent ones like www.pregnancybirthandbeyond.co.uk

[JoTang]

NCT took several weeks to get back to me and in the meantime, I found an antenatal weekend course that sounds great and is ran by a lady with real midwifery experience. However, NCT have now told me they have availability, I've heard that the advice is not hugely helpful and its getting to know other mothers that is the key benefit, has anyone used www.pregnancybirthandbeyond.co.uk before or comment on the usefulness of the NCT other than the social element?

I am a Course Organiser for NCT and am really pleased to see the great feedback posted here. We all work hard to ensure that we schedule sufficient courses locally and it is rare that we cannot accomodate clients on courses.

Our courses are well established in my area (Birmingham Area) and I work hard to accomodate every pregnant lady and dad-to-be that enquires.

Please do keep sending your enquiries our way as well will do everything we can to help you.

You can definately meet other mums and dads at NCT Bumps & Babies. These groups are a life line for thousands and thousands of new parents up and down the country. They are run by volutneers and are very cheap. The one I volutneer for is "donations gratefully recieved" and we normally get around £2 per mum.

Remember that if you go on an 'private' providers course the profits are going to line their pockets - if you go to NCT courses the profits are being put back into the charity to pay for the concessions policy.

The reason that NCT antenatal or early days courses cost is because they are "adult education" and are run by high trained antenatal teachers, breastfeeding counsellors and postnatal leaders. Those on low income do get their places at a much lower cost.

I am still in touch with those that were on my NCT antenatal course 10.5 years ago. They are great friends and kept me sane in the early days. One of them now lives in Germany and I have even been out to visit her, with a four year old and two year in tow.

Do You realise that pregnancy birth and beyond are in fact NCT trained teachers working privately?
So really comparing like with like although I suspect they are cheaper.

Oooh I'd love to see those deleted comments.
Just a bit more info & my thoughts:
The NCT has a policy of discounts (up to 90%) for people on lower incomes.
All birth educators have something different to offer, in my town people often do a mixture of courses (NHS / Private / NCT Charity) and the NCT teachers have good relationships with other birth practitioners too.
NCT teachers forge strong links with doctors and midwives, often assisting with guidelines and working together to improve services for families (this is one part of the charity work already mentioned).
NCT courses are tailored to the individual group and feedback from someone about one teacher's course might not be relevant for the course you are booking on to.
As well as birth preparation NCT courses often include lots on life with a newborn baby including emotions and practical aspects like changing nappies. There will probably be a session with a Breastfeeding Counsellor included, and a reunion.
Jo, it sounds to me as though the course you are considering looks really good too. If you are still trying to decide, why not take a look at group size, ongoing support after the birth (baby groups, breastfeeding help), philosophy of the provider, provision for men if relevant, whether topics of particular interest to you are likely to be covered?