NCT antenatal courses - are they worth it!?!

[Greenfairybump]

My partner and I are expecting our first baby at the end of May/early June and I have found an ante-natal course through NCT which is £150. I've heard mixed things about these courses? We're both young and trying to be sensible with money but we want to do it if they're worth it??
Help!

I haven't actually been to one yet but am 29+3 and mine are planned for end of February. I chose to do them for a number of reasons (my OH just agreed with what I want since I'm the one who has to give birth). I have heard they are an excellent way to meet other mums-to-be and since I don't really know a lot of people around where I live I thought it would be nice to meet other mums and hopefully even make some friends who are at the same point in their lives - none of the other people locally are having babies atm. Secondly I have know idea what to expect from birth and the whole thought of it is terrifying. I have read books but I think a course will make me feel more confident.

I'm on a tight budget too and really didn't think I could afford to take the course since although I earn enough to pay the full course fee I have large financial commitments. I'm not sure if the money could have been better spent elsewhere - probably, I still have bits to buy. I am glad though I have booked it and I paid for it over 4 months making my payments only £33 a month which it easier not to miss than paying out £130 in one go.

Personally, I'd consider what you expect to get out of it and decide then if it is worth it.

I'm loving my course.

I'd done a fair bit of reading before and have attened several births already but have found the classes really useful.

It's helping me look at somethings in a diffrent light.
As a bonus the other people are really nice.
If you can afford it i'd go for it.

also if you are stuggling to pay for it you can ask about installments or i think they do some subsidised places.

when you sign up to the course you can opt to join for about £30 for a year. You then get sent both a national and local magazine. I've found them really intresting to read.

I haven't taken any yet, but am booked in for some in March. From what I've heard, they go into more depth than the NHS course and the groups are smaller. We're going to be first time parents too, and I think it's good to know as much as possible and am looking forward to the classes. In the greater scheme of things, £150 isn't too much and if nothing else it's an opportunity to meet other new parents in your area.

I completely agree! Thankyou all!
We would love to meet people in the same area as us and we want to be as prepared as we can be!
I've registered for the course starting in March so fingers crossed we'll get on it now!
The instalments will help too so we're going for it!
Thanks again!

I am also confused about whether or not to do the nct classes. I have a friend that was dissapointed and said she thought they were very basic and a little 'paint by numbers'. The main reason I am interested in the classes is because I would like to become connected to other first time mums in my local area and I have heard that doing the nct course is the best way??

I have sent enquiries to the the La Leche league as well, re mother and baby groups etc..

I am going to NCT classes at the moment, though oddly enough not as a pregnant woman (though I am also pg :)) but because I'm training to become a breastfeeding counsellor with the NCT so need to observe an AN course as part of my training. I didn't go to NCT classes when I was pg with my DD as we moved a couple of hundred miles when I was 32 weeks pg and felt there was no point going where we lived before, as there was no point meeting people there, and they were full in the place we moved to.

As an observer rather than a participant, I think they're fab so far and am really enjoying them. I'm hoping to persuade DH to go to some later in this pregnancy, seeing as we didn't go to any last time, even though we've done it once.

The main reason people seem to do them is to meet people in the area which is definitely a bonus - particularly when your babies are tiny it does help to know people who are at exactly the same stage. My mum went to NCT classes with her second baby and is still in touch with most of them now (that baby is now 32 and a father of two :)).

The other thing that I hadn't really appreciated is that it also means that the DHs/DPs also have to go along and pay attention - I did buy DH a few books aimed at men and he obviously picked stuff up from me but I think it would have been really useful for him to go along and learn some stuff.

It probably does depend to some extent on the teacher - the one who does this is fab, she's a MW so knows her stuff and is really friendly and approachable. I have actually learned a few things The group also seem really sparky and nice and I'm a bit sad I don't get to be friends with them all at the end

Can't remember what else I was going to say, bloody baby brain

Just wanted to add that, depending where you are, Lazy Daisy classes might also be an option :)

What do you want to get out of classes?

If you want to meet other parents in your area, they're usually good for that.

Do you 'learn' best from doing group activities, rather than reading a book? Because you can get most of the info you'll learn out of a good book, but the group work/practical flavour of classes might suit you better.

Personally, I didn't do them, as I thought they were way too time consuming and costly. But I know loads of people who loved their NCT classes...

we will be doing them

only 4 1/2 weeks but already have a space reserved on my course.

Having nannied for 10 years i feel compltley confident looking after babies (a few weeks older than new-born) but feel i dont have a clue really about birth, and the very first few days. (obviously when nannying the MUMS took care of a the newborn and i just had my fair share of newborn cuddles while looking after older siblings!)

Also i have recently moved 250 miles away and i know hardly anyone at all up here. Really want to make some new baby friends as i understand how essential it is the have a real reason to get out of the house and meet people and not just sit there twiddling thumbs etc

Girls before booking onto the NCT please look in your local area to see if any Midwives run private antenatal classes. NCT are fantastic, however midwives deliver babies on a day to day basis so can really give you more relevant, accurate information on what you may expect when you go into labour and the realities of childbirth. I run private antenatal workshops with another midwife (I also teach NHS classes) but our private classes are run in small groups (3-8 couples) enabling you to make a strong network of friends. There may not be midwives near you that run them, bet worth a look! My website is www.antenatalclass.net if any of you girls live in the Surrey, London area and I only charge £80 for a 6 hour workshop including lunch and a 50 page information pack that we put together.

The NCT course that I'm observing at the moment is run by a midwife :)

all my first time mum friends met on their nct course together - i wish i'd done it because i missed out on 6 months of coffee mornings and sharing every new baby detail. i did surestart ante natal and they were great fun but not as social or traditional about keeping in touch post birth.

I did NCT with my DS two years ago, I learnt lots but more than anything I made some brilliant friends who I meet weekly and have become natural playmates.
I was worried they would all be breast feeding mad and obsessed with natural birth but we learnt about the pros and cons of everything so we could make informed choices.
Pregnant with No2 and wondering how I can justify / pay for a refresher course!

we did an nct course 18 months ago and i still see the other mums every weeks since the birth.
they've been a great great support, much needed in the first weeks, and really brilliant now. we've just been on a weekend all together.

we also went to the nhs classes, same things covered ( ha! obviously ;) ) in half the time.
they did not give us a sheet with everybodys name and numbers there and there were lots of people so we didn't really get to know eachother at all.

you will also meet other mums at baby groups ( rhyme time at the library etc) but i must say that the mums from the nct group are close friends now.

the content of the classes was good, the setting nice, we were looking forward to going to them. i think it depends on the person who runs them.

also there was another couple there who did not come to the original meet up after birth with the instructor, they also made excuses a few times to other meetups until we stopped asking them, for them the nct classes were probably not good value.

hth

I'm really looking forward to starting NCT classes at the end of the month. By coincidence, one of my friends is also going to be on the same course which should make it more fun!

Hi there, no idea whether they're worth it (we haven't done it yet) but the NCT do informal means testing - people on low incomes (and some students) pay less for the courses.

My partner and I are both mature students, and wouldn't have been able to afford NCT without the discount offered to us.

As an alternative, what about joining a pregnancy antenatal class? I've met some great pregnant women who live in my area - with a bit of courage, I suggested meeting up socially and they said yes so hopefully making some new friends.

One bonus about NCT is that the men get involved - unfortunately, yoga is a pretty 'women only' vibe.

Just been to NHS one and i thought it was pretty good and everyone brought their partner. The class wasn't too big, about 7-8 couples? Only down side is they don't seem to cover much re what to do with the baby after it's born apart from breastfeeding.

I thought they were pretty crap but then I'm a weirdo who hates joining in and has a default setting to take the piss out of things like whale music and knitted boobies. . DH and I spent most of our time sniggering and all the natural childbirth stuff was a bit lost on me as I had an emergency c-section.

I went to one in Hampstead and everyone was either minted or really old (and I was hardly a spring chicken at the age of 34!)

However, I do know lots of people who swear by them and have made loads of great friends. I think they are useful if you are going to be around with the baby for a long time - I went back to work quite early on with DS1 - or if you are new to an area and don't know many people locally.

I think you need to chat to the person running them and maybe to a bit of homework - ie try and speak to people who've done them in your neighbourhood already. I think they work for some people but are a total waste of money for others.

I did the NHS classes and thought they were great, very informative and about 8-10 couples which I didn't think was too big. In my area its 3 x evening classes of 2hrs each. We have all swapped email addresses plus there are lots of baby groups where I live so can meet people through those. Am glad I made the decision not to spend the money on NCT classes - as have been able to put it towards other things.

Hi

I do some volunteering for the NCT. I didn't attend the AN classes as I was too late to book, but I did join a few of their coffee morning groups in my local area.

They are usually free (with an optional donation) and my local branch hold them at a few different venues - Pizza Express & a couple of soft play centres (Bumps & Babes up to a year) - as well as in peoples homes.

I met quite a few friends this was with my 1st DC and will probably attend again when my next one makes an appearance in Feb.

Your local NCT branch should have a website/egroup that info is posted on about the different events they run.

If you're daunted try one of the 'neutral' venues first.

And look out for Neary New Sales run by local branches - there are usually lots of great bargains to be had!

I think there are discounts/grants available through the NCT if you are on a limited income

Can honestly say I learnt more in 6 hours of nhs classes than 21 hours of nct classes. Too airy fairy and poorly structured for my liking. Got us to discuss / write down the pros and cons of different pain relief before telling us anything about them, for example.
Lovely lady teaching but I wish I could go back and save the time and money (£220). Plenty of other ways to meet new mums, no guarantee you'll relate to the other nct mums any better than those you'll meet at mum and baby sessions etc.

I booked the course, then changed my mind when I saw the price!

I did worry that it might be the best place to meet people - but I made loads of friends on mat leave by going to numerous new parent/bf groups. I didn't miss it at all.

This is so helpful!
I am definately going to find out about the other ante-natal classes in my area aswell (nhs and mindwife).
I have just had an email to say the course I wanted to do was fully booked but she's suggested another 3 day course (as opposed to the 8 evening, 16 hour course I originally applied for) so I've asked for details on cost etc.
We're 24 so we are a little bit wary of being a lot younger than other parents on the course so I've asked about that too!
Thanks.

Another Vote for Lazy Daisy here

And another vote for NCT here!!