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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

NCT courses - worth it?

40 replies

emmyloo2 · 26/07/2010 16:59

Hi, I was on the waiting list for the NCT antenatal course in my area. I received a letter last week saying I would join the course if I wanted. It is something like 7 two hour sessions which seems like a lot to me and they are every Thursday evening so quite a big commitment given I work full time.

I was planning on just attending the NHS courses but was wondering if people found the NCT course worthwhile? My main concern is general care for the baby (washing, holding etc - yes I am completely clueless!) and breastfeeding. The actual birth part I am not that worried about. Not because I have a clue but just because I figure there is less I can actually do about it when the time comes. I figure I will just follow instructions. Plus the NHS does a course on the birth and the various options in any event.

The money is not a concern but more just the time commitment. Would I better off spending my Thursday nights for those 7 weeks relaxing?? However, if they are valuable then I would be more than willing to take the time to do it.

Thanks!

OP posts:

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japhrimel · 26/07/2010 17:07

You won't get much instruction on how to cope with birth, so an antenatal course is the best chance to learn breathing techniques and postures to use.

Also, you may need interventions when in labour and although they may ask before using a ventouse for example, there's not much point if you haven't got a clue what one is, why it might be needed and the consequences of using it.

Personally I'd prefer to be prepared and informed.

I know that with my NCT course, there's one session just on breastfeeding.

The NCT classes have been strongly recommended to me by lots of friends & relatives as the best way to meet new Mums, so I'm going along just for that as I don't have local friends with babies.

kayah · 26/07/2010 17:08

they are the best way to meet mums in your area - so go for it

LittleMissSnowShine · 26/07/2010 17:08

Can't really say, but me and OH were going to go to the NCT classes, we'd booked them, paid a deposit and sent them a load of pre-dated cheques. A week before they were supposed to start we got a phone call telling us that the classes would be running on a Wednesday night instead of a Thursday. Unfortunately my OH teaches a night class on Wed nights so this didn't suit us and there was nothing else they could suggest.

So I ended up having to phone the hospital only to be told all their parentcraft classes were booked up at that stage and go on a waiting list. Bit of a pain!!

So I'd hedge your bets and even if you're planning on going to the NCT classes make sure your MW puts your name onto the list for the NHS classes too

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 26/07/2010 17:11

Thanks guys. Think I might go for it then.

Good point japhrimel - I have no idea about breathing etc or what the hell is a ventouse so I should probably be informed. I just thought the NHS course would be sufficient.

However, I have very few friends in the area (I am an expat here with my husband) so it is probably a good idea to meet other mothers.

Did you husbands/partners attend with you? My husband would be more than happy to come but I don't want him to be the odd one out in a room full of women.

OP posts:

kveta · 26/07/2010 17:16

def. go - we met so many folk through NCT

DP found it more useful than I did actually!

NanBullen · 26/07/2010 17:16

I personally didn't think they were worth it. I wanted to know about everything that may happen when giving birth, including cs and pain relief such as epidurals. As the lady taking the course had no personal knowledge of these she just didn't cover them which wasn't exactly useful.

I did find out a lot about breathing techniques which imo don't help at all (but you may find helpful!) and i missed the bf session but i had no problem bf ds and apparently it was just used as an excuse for some other nct woman to flog nursing bras.

Having said this, i think i was just unlucky!

I wouldn't pay the money just to meet other mums, there are other postnatal groups you can join for free which can help you with this.

DuelingFanjo · 26/07/2010 17:20

I wondered if these classes are useful for giving men a bit of insight into the whole labour process? My DH hasn't read many of the books I have and I am worried that the whole Labour through to learning to breastfeeding might be an eyeopener for him?

My NCT classes also do a men only night, does anyone know what goes on at these?

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 26/07/2010 17:24

Men only night? Never heard of that.

NanBullen - sounds odd that the woman didn't know about cs and epidural etc. They are the sorts of things I would be expected to be covered!! Maybe they are of different quality depending on your area.

I guess there is no harm in going to the first few and see how I like them...

OP posts:

MrsGangly · 26/07/2010 17:28

I have really enjoyed mine and think we'll end up being good friends at the end. We covered everything to do with labour and looking after a newborn baby and think that the benefits of being in a small and consistent (friends have said that the NHS classes have different people each time) group were well worth it.

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 26/07/2010 17:33

Thanks MrsGangly. I didn't think about having a consistent group doing the course. That would be nice.

I will definitely do it I think.

OP posts:

stressheaderic · 26/07/2010 17:44

I didn't bother. I thought the £200 odd would be better spent on baby stuff.

My NHS sessions were brilliant, 4 x 2hr sessions at from 32 - 36 weeks pg, talked us through all stages of labour, breathing, posture, pain relief, different types of birth, when things go wrong, first few days home, and got a tour of the maternity unit and chance to stay behind and ask questions. Cups of tea, juice and biscuits every week , you cant knock the NHS...

Made some friends there who I see regularly (dd now 5 months old) plus met other friends at the local Surestart centres - when dd was about 2 months old and I was emerging from the sleepless nights, I just phoned up and asked what was on and booked onto baby massage, mum and baby yoga and peep0-12 mths. My DD has a better social life than me!

MrsJT · 26/07/2010 17:47

Hi All

I'm an NCT volunteer in my local branch (not an antenatal teacher). I really enjoyed my course (nearly 5 years ago!!) and I'm still in touch with all the couples we met. The best thing about the courses IMHO is that you meet other people who are all due around the same time as you. So your babies are all at the same development stage and you can do lots of "is this normal" self support in the early (and later) days.

You should get loads of preparation for the birth and some about baby care. The breastfeeding session should give you plenty of information about breastfeeding and local support if you need it. Be aware though, that they will not cover formula feeding as that contravenes the WHO code on marketing of breastmilk substitutes.

The men only night is usually a facilitated discussion about their thoughts/concerns/ideas about fatherhood as it has been found that men open up more without their partners present.

The whole course should be geared around what your group want to learn and your teacher should spend some time exploring what you as a groups want to get out of it.

The NHS course (I did these too at the same time) will be very basic by comparison.

I hope that helps, and good luck with it all

MrsJT · 26/07/2010 17:49

LOL at x post. I guess with everything else NHS it must depend on your area - might be worth finding out exactly what they do near you.

felicity10 · 26/07/2010 17:58

My local nhs classes were during the day and not very work friendly, and also, I have to say, they were aimed more at younger mothers. I work and didn't know many similar people nearby, so nct gave me a chance to meet them. Essentially, you "buy" some friends! The course is useful, I was similar to you, in not wanting to know all the ins and outs of births, but on the other hand, it gave me enough info from a reliable source to be able to make decision that i needed to.

The downside is very little in my course about actually looking after a new baby - but frankly, there is nothing like the real thing, so i am not really sure what anyone can teach you beforehand! The bf sessionwas useful, again, can't get practical until you have the baby, but was great to meet the bf counsellor, whose sofa i sobbed on the week after my dd was born and i needed some help - they are worth their weight in gold!

So, definately great for practical advice and a support network/coffee drinkers/people to have luncha nd a glass of wine when you need a lift!

Indaba · 26/07/2010 17:58

On the plus side I made some great mates and still in touch with most (and my daughter nearly 8). I was working v heavily prior to birth so great whay to network...which was invaluable.

On the downside, my two teachers/facilitators were a bit right on and quite opinionated about whats right and wrong....have heard others say the same.

I'd definitely recommend it if you can take it all with a pinch of salt.

DollyTwat · 26/07/2010 18:09

I made some great friends who were a real support at the time because our babies were the same age and we were all first time mums. Don't see much of them now but I really don't know how I would have coped without their friendship back then

If you make just one really good friend it was worth it IMO

stressheaderic · 26/07/2010 18:13

My NHS ones were 6.30 til 8.30pm, and all mothers were around my age (approx 28-35) which was great. Didn't really like the idea of buying friends tbh.

Willabywallaby · 26/07/2010 18:14

I did both NCT and the local hospital ones.

The NCT were great for information, the hospital ones were good for making the hospital a familiar place and the tour invaluable.

I had one NCT Mum over this afternoon for a play our nearly 5 year olds had a great time and so did our 2 year olds . Although don't see the rest now since after we all went back to work it was difficult to meet up.

NCT can all be a bit 'middle class' and right on, but well worth the money. Definitely take your DH or you'll probably be the odd one out.

Good luck!

MrsGangly · 26/07/2010 18:24

Our NCT classes DID confirm formula feeding, although it was at a regular class rather than the breastfeeding one. She wasn't allowed to volunteer information but said if we asked specifically she could cover it. We all thought knowing everything to cover every eventuality was best so wanted to cover it even though we all plan to breastfeed.

clemetteattlee · 26/07/2010 18:28

For the record, many NCT antenatal classes will spend up to 50% of the time covering "baby things" as well as labour and birth.

It is not widely known, but you can get NCT classes for a hefty discount if you are on a low income. It is worth contacting them about this.

Nettiespagetti · 26/07/2010 18:30

I did course with my pfb! We still regularly meet with most of the girls from nct group and that's almost 4 years on.

I found course informative but missed bf one.

I'd do them. My dh never made many due to work
but most other partners were there every session

Medee · 26/07/2010 18:30

I asked my midwife and she said that by doing both you get a very balanced view, basically that they complement each other.

felicity10 · 26/07/2010 18:40

Mieoooooow! stressheaderic Good for you that yours were at a good time, its not like that everywhere.

Perhaps I should have said "buy an introduction" to friends.

[off to lap up saucer of milk]

NanBullen · 26/07/2010 19:15

I think i got a duff nct instructor!

zebra15 · 26/07/2010 19:15

I agree with DuelingFanjo that it is a great way for the men to get more insight into the birth process, be more prepared & meet other fathers-to-be. As the NHS often asks you to make decisions in the heat of the moment about induction, pain relief, assisted delivery,C-section, it can be very helpful to be as informed as possible, and to have DH well informed as well as a support to you.

I did both the NHS lessons and NCT and found the networking & friendships resulting from NCT to be much more helpful both during and following the birth, particularly because you then have a group of mothers whose babies are at the same stage as yours. It can be a lifesaver to ring someone up who is experiencing the same challenges of new motherhood. Finally, IMO NHS midwives (who often give lessons) also have the same strong bias towards natural birth w/o epidural, so it is worth knowing this bias in advance of both class options.

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