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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Did your DH/DP attend NCT classes?

19 replies

BellaCB · 08/11/2011 15:32

Incredibly unscientific poll here, but did everyone go to their NCT classes with their other half, or did anyone go alone?

My DP's job is pretty non-negotiable in terms of taking time off or rearranging shifts, and annoyingly the only NCT classes I could sign up for were all-day sessions (I suppose he might have been able to blag a few hours off, but certainly not a whole day). So I think it really will just be little old me on my own at the NCT classes, and I'm worrying now that I will be the only one - especially as the very first session is all day on a Saturday, so I can't help imagining that I will be the only one there without a partner! (My family and none of my friends live close enough to be able to attend instead)

Did everyone else take their other half with them? Am I just worrying about nothing?! (Highly likely, it's my favourite passtime at the moment )

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MrsHuxtable · 08/11/2011 16:01

Yes, had my first session last night and everyone was there with husbands. It's one of those classes that are aimed at couples, at least ours are. Loads of group exercises though where couples are divided into men / woman so a patner wouldn't be missed too much in those situations.

I'd write a mail to the teacher, just so you feel more comfortable and presumably she will do the couple stuff with you.

MrsHuxtable · 08/11/2011 16:02

Tbh, I'm wondering now what single pregnant women do. They must be going on their own as well...

picnicbasketcase · 08/11/2011 16:04

I didn't go to classes of any kind, neither did DP. I can't see how they're in any way necessary, tbh. But I would imagine there would be other people on their own - not everyone has a partner, or if they do their partner might not have a 9-5 job, or they have other kids and one of them needs to stay at home with them etc etc. Don't panic.

Ro62 · 08/11/2011 16:13

I went to a course over about 4 weeks, a few hours each time, with our first child. In our group of 6 couples, there was one woman who came to all of them on her own (we only met her other half post-birth), one who came to about half on her own as her husband was working, and one who came with a female friend to about half of them, because her husband had exams coming up. It was fine and 5 of the 6 of us are still in regular contact/friends. My partner was able to come to all of them, but TBH there were some points it was good to be able to discuss without the dads there, so I appreciated the teacher splitting us up fairly often (my partner said he did too!).

Original poster

BellaCB · 08/11/2011 16:15

MrsHuxtable - see, I was thinking that there might be single mums there but I imagine if you are single, you're more likely to take your mum or your sister or someone with you. But now you've worried me that I'll ruin the set up by giving them an odd number!!

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Pastabee · 08/11/2011 16:21

We went to NCT evening classes. My DH works abroad part of the time. He made it to 4 of the 6 classes and it wasn't a problem when I was there alone.

There was also a single mum at our group.

The only thing I'd say is DH found them to be so beneficial despite mouthing off about not wanting to go before the course started! If there is anyway things can be rearranged for your DH I'd try and arrange it so he can attend.

MrsHuxtable · 08/11/2011 16:22

Nooo, don't worry about that. We also did stuff in groups of uneven numbers and for all I know, people will come without partners in the future. I'm sure it's perfectly fine. There must be others in the same situation, especially as your course is during normal working hours. Mine is from 19.15-21:45 so no surprise people are making it after work....

KatieScarlett2833 · 08/11/2011 16:25

He came to the birthing one.

And the hospital visits.

That was quite enough for me.

Original poster

BellaCB · 08/11/2011 16:27

How do I know which one is the birthing one?

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KatieScarlett2833 · 08/11/2011 16:30

I gave birth a million well 16 years ago.

Our classes were once a week for 8 weeks with the last one, the giving birth finale. The menz were shown a somewhat graphic video, the wumminz got to laugh at all the green faces afterwards. Thems were the days.

babydust27 · 08/11/2011 16:39

our nct do a class on weekends for couples and classes in the week which only the mum can go to.

I was going to take my boyfriend and go to the one on a sunday but its a one off for an hour whereas the ones in the week are for 2 hours and for 4 weeks so im going to the weekday ones as i need as much info as possible as to how to care for his btaby when it arrives!!!!!

notcitrus · 08/11/2011 16:43

Mine were half during the day (one bloke came once) and half in the evening (all 6 male partners came at least twice out of the four sessions, but I think they all had to miss one)

The chaps said they found it useful to talk to others worrying about money and coping with disrupted sleep - rather different to the women's main worries!

MrsJohnDeere · 08/11/2011 16:56

Mine didn't (couldn't get back from work in time and works away a lot). I was the only one there without a dh/dp and felt really left out. It was really geared up for couples. I went to two, came home from both in floods of tears, then didn't bother going back for the rest.

minime87 · 08/11/2011 22:19

Im starting classes for the first time this week too and am also a bit nervous about going alone, I am single. The only classes available near me are in the day time so cant really expect my mum or a friend to take time off work to come along. Don't worry, im sure there must be plenty of people who dont take DPs (that's what I keep telling myself anyway!!!) :o

Original poster

BellaCB · 09/11/2011 10:09

Minime87 - good luck! We will fly the flag for practising breathing on our own

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Biscuitsandtea · 09/11/2011 17:44

Hi, when we did our NCT classes when I was pg last time we had two whole Saturdays and one Wednesday evening and my DH didn't come to the Wednesday as he was away with work (and it was our wedding anniversary ). And there was another lady there who's husband couldn't come to some of the sessions. As someone else suggested, maybe just let the course leader know and I'm sure it'll be fine. Also as others have said, if your DH could blag a few hours he might find it nice to go to the bits he can. It's nice for you to have him there when he can be and it'll help him get to know the others a wee bit? Even if it is just to put faces to names if you stay in touch with the others. Bear in mind that if you stay in contact with the others it tends to be the women that keep in touch mainly anyway (it certainly has been with our group).

I've just signed up for a refresher course as am 20 weeks pg with no 2 an that's 4 evening sessions, at least 2 of which are women only.

Hope that helps and good luck :)

Original poster

BellaCB · 10/11/2011 10:23

Hmm.... thanks everyone for your replies, but I'm starting to wish I didn't ask! Like MrsJohnDeere there isn't really any room for DP to take time off work, and also our classes are out in commuterville when he works in the city. Oh well - hopefully everyone will be friendly...

OP posts:

Biscuitsandtea · 10/11/2011 12:21

Bella I'm sure everyone will be friendly.

And think of it this way, if they're not friendly then you'll have found out nice and quickly! And it'll be their loss!

PlinkertyPlonk · 10/11/2011 17:56

I'm booked in to NCT but there is only 1 class in my area and DP can't make it. I was worried about going on my own but actually I think "sod it!". I'm going whether I'm on my own or not; I'll (hopefully) get some useful info and meet a few people as I'm new to the area. My DP already has children, so in some respects I'm quite glad he's not going because I'm sure in his mind he thinks he knows it all already!

I've been going to an ante-natal yoga class too, which has been a brilliant source of information as you are mixed in with women at all different stages of pregnancy. I've been to plenty of rubbish yoga classes but this one is run by a doula/active birth woman. I thought it might be full of hippies, but it's not at all. And you get a cup of tea and a biscuit at end!

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