Live webchat with NCT chief executive Belinda Phipps, Thurs 17 Sept, 1-2pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to welcome Belinda Phipps for a live webchat this Thursday.

Belinda has posted on threads discussing the NCT, eg this one in April. So we're glad she's coming on for a bit longer tomorrow and can respond to your comments and queries about the NCT.

We're going to send over any questions you've posted by the end of this afternoon for some advance answers, to leave as much time as possible for questions during the live chat.

Hope you can join us.

I'm an NCT antenatal teacher who covers hypnobirthing in class, because it comes up on almost every agenda. (One of my first activities is to get the class members to work oout what their burning issues are - they are told broadly what the course will cover each week before they do this, so it's more about specifics. Strangely another burning issue is often pets and babies)

I have a hypnobirthing CD which has a 10 minute relaxation on it and I play that (10 mins out of a 16 hour course) and then ask them for feedback. Some people like it and decide to find out more (not my specialty so they have to go elsewhere); others decide at that point it's not their thing at all.

It tends to prompt people to talk about what their preferred forms of relaxation are and how they calm themselves down in difficult or stressful situations. And then how these skills they already have can be used during labour, birth and parenting.

Antenatal preparation often means that women go into birth feeling more confident and empowered - I know I did and I've spoken to a lot of women who feel similarly.

Birth can be a frightening experience - this "thing" is happening to you and you can't stop it - but if you know what's coming next, you can encourage yourself and you can prepare your birth support partner(s) as to what you would prefer (if there IS a choice - eg with pain relief or management of third stage, etc).

For instance, with DS1, I thought, "Oh, God, I can't can't can't do this, it's just too hard and I want to get out of here and when's it going to stop and nooooooo!" and I felt a real rising panic - and then I remembered, very clearly, that when you thought you really couldn't do it, it was likely you were in transition and the baby would be along pretty soon and that really helped me to relax.

With tearing, I think Mears has talked in the past about "coaching" women to push being a factor that makes you more likely to tear - if you've had discussion around this antenatally, surely that helps you to be aware of that as an issue?

MP, you're not arguing for no antenatal classes, are you?

(And agree, Belinda, really very impressed with the way you've done this webchat - but it's clear that you're passionate about your job, the role of the NCT and the women you're trying to help - you weren't just here to sell fish or plug a foofy book I do wish Davina would STOP the dopey hair ads though - embarrassing and at odds with the work she does with you - would be an amazing statement if she stopped them, eh? Have you mentioned it to her?)

err,hate to sound dim but what is CAM? Thanks for the response majong I was beginning to think it was a no go but im pleased you might be able to help.

It was good of Belinda to come back for a second session.

Yes she is a good sport

Can't argue with that

I would strongly encourage anyone who has a specific complaint about anything NCT related - especially if you are having problems contacting your local branch or feel excluded from an NCT event - to go to the NCT website www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/home
and click the "contact us" button (top right) and fill in the form - making sure to say where you live so that we know which branch you are in. Anyone can do this - you do not have to be a member.
Catkinq

Following the recent NCT discussion, a response from the women behind the ?Little Black Dress?:

The Womama Birthing Wrap was developed in response to requests from women asking the question of what to wear to labour and give birth in. This is a question being asked at antenatal classes worldwide. Most women want to feel comfortable yet feminine during their labour and birth. The current limited choices have not appealed as thousands of women in NZ and Australia have now purchased the wrap and it is proving successful in the UK too. We at Womama feel this is proof enough that the product has value.

We would also like to stress that we are not suggesting women should be considering their appearance above all else during labour and birth, only responding to the fact that many women today DO consider what they are wearing to be important on such a special day, just like your wedding day. Providing something that is equally feminine, functional and practical, the Womama birthing wrap is the ONLY birthwear in the world that has taken into consideration the importance of immediate skin to skin contact when baby is born and we feel that we have responded appropriately to customers? needs.

The Birthing wrap although designed for labour and birth is a versatile garment, designed to be worn as a dress through pregnancy, being able to cover a 40 weeks tummy, and post birth as a breastfeeding nightie. The versatility and quality construction of this garment is indicative of its pricing. The wraps are generously sized from 10 ? 18 but we would recommend anyone who is a size 20 try the 18 as the wrap styling means the dress may still fit and be flattering.

Finally we are delighted that the NCT has chosen to stock our wraps as we at Womama believe birth to be a wonderful event and fully support the work of the NCT to promote birth as a natural process.

thanks for responding, i did speak up in partial defence of teh dress..that i firmly believe with the ethos that women deserve something gorgeous to birth in,that they wold be happy to wear before and after the birth too

however the? sizing - ok,so a size 20 lady could wear one, what about larger ladies, or those carrying twins or more, who cannot squeeze in to the size 18

also, the price puts it out of reach of a lot of women

£60 is a lot of money,if you're on a limited budget /maternity leave/ income support etc. it is not possible, and it think unfortunately , this reinforces the middle class yummymummy image of teh NCT