Online NCT Classes, worth while?

[Herts501]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had done an online NCT (or other) antinatal classes and if they thought it was worth doing? One of the big reasons I wanted to do the classes was to hopefully build a social network but now they are only online I'm not sure if it's worth it?
Would be really interested to hear people's opinions xxxx

No these days there are so much info for free online and free resources.

I don’t have the answer but would like to know... just had an email the classes I booked are going online and not sure it’s worth it now.

I'm currently wondering the exact same thing!

If you're doing it for the social network i dont think it will work as well online.

But in the absence of anything else at this time; I would probably still give it a go as you may be able to meet up in person later on.

We're doing an only NCT course at the moment and I was pretty skeptical that it would work in terms of building a network. I have to say though, it's really good so far. The teacher is really good at creating opportunities to chat and get to know eachother and everyone is up for making friends, which really helps. I think also, whilst NCT can't endorse meeting up as such, most people in our group probably will do over the next few weeks, outside of the classes.

*online, not only!

I've just finished an online NCT course and was really skeptics as well.

I love to load up on info and research so it was good in that sense, but I'd also paid for the Positive Birth Company online course and found a lot of the content very similar whilst the NCT course was much more expensive.

However, we have a Dads Group and a Mums Group now following the course and have already met up once socially distanced in the park, so that was lovely, as I know I'll have a group of local women to bounce worries and thoughts off of, and hopefully make meaningful friendships with.

It's a hard one, if you know you'll make parent friends easily another way then I'd definitely reconsider but I really did do it for a local group.

Hello,

I was sceptical about doing online NCT too but really pleased we did it.

Firstly what we actually learnt on the course was really useful. The leader was very knowledgeable and knew the answers to all our questions. Especially helpful since the NHS classes you normally have at hospital were cancelled.

Secondly, I do think it will be good socially. The leader set up a WhatsApp group for us just before the course started. She also left the Zoom rooms open after sessions so that the couples could chat if they wanted. And since the course finished we met up once in the park. Babies are now being born and we’re keeping each other updated on the new arrivals. I hope that when we’ve all had our babies we’ll meet more regularly.

Also the leader has scheduled a reunion meal at a local pub for November.

So yes I think it’s worth the money!

I think a lot is down to the group leader. Ours is old school and I’m really not enjoying it. Info outdated, poor training style. The info is much better from the hospital antenatal group.

Only worth it for the social side.

I've just finished NCT online course, enjoyed it and found it worthwhile. The first session was a bit awkward but group leader set us a discussion task and then sent us into breakout zoom rooms in smaller groups to chat which was a great way to do start getting to know the group without pressure of the leader bombarding us with info.
We set up our own spin off WhatsApp groups too and have met up socially distanced ourselves outdoors too. Our group leader has just arranged a real life meet up for us all with babies - the first real face 2 face meet she's done or been allowed to do since pre-lockdown and it isn't until November!
The couples in our group have such a range of skills jobs and interest between us it has actually been really informative and helpful from that perspective, plus it is so nice to talk to other couples at the same stage of pregnancy as I am at going through it all at such a weird covid time that none other of my friends understand (and my other friends all live miles away too).

So glad we did it even though we were also sceptical.