Any opinions on private vs NCT antenatal classes

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I have been recommended Christine Hills antenatal classes by a friend. I realise that NCT costs around £190 but the 'private' classes are around £500. Any views or experiences of these classes?

LOL. What about ones in your local health centre? They don't cost a penny. I am as snooty and middle class as they come, so they are not just for uneducated teenage mothers. They taught me how to breathe in labour, which was the best thing anyone ever taught me. It got me through 18 hours of back-to-back labour with no pain relief. Three cheers for local health centres!

Are the private ones 1:1?

Main benefit of NCT classes (& NHS) is meeting other local parents to be

Met some of my best friends at NCT....did the ones at my local hospital too...classes quite big and not so intimate......to me main benefit is social side...oh, am so shallow!

When I say 'private', I mean ante-natal classes that are not run by NCT, but private individuals. The classes are not 1:1, but 14 in a class. Its the first I'd heard of ante-natal classes other than NCT so was interested to hear any views/experiences. Christine Hill is v well respected by all accounts but obviously I'm not up for spending when not necessary.

I would say you are unlikely to learn anything you wouldn't learn from a good book or mumsnet

I just started my NCT classes earlier this week and I agree with EldonAve, you can learn most aspects of labour etc from a book. Was a little disappointed with the whole thing as I am new to the area and wanted to make friends through the NCT Antenatal classes, but really don't think I am going to "click" with any of the other Mums there...am going to attend the NHS classes too...might have more luck!!

I've decided to give the private lot, and NCT a miss and go to my hospital classes. Makes sense to learn how you're going to be man-handled, by the people who're going to do it :-)

I didn't bother with any, did my research online and found my local pregnant (now mum) friends through mumsnet...saved a fortune