Are NCT classes worth doing?

[nightowlmostly]

Hello all, I am expecting our first baby in April and am not sure whether to bother with NCT classes or if the NHS does decent antenatal classes. I am moving to a new area about two months before the baby is due so thought it might be a good way to meet others in the same boat. I have heard some less than amazing things so was wondering what people thought of their experiences.

Any advice welcomed, thanks!

Nearly 6 years on from my NCT classes and I am still good friends with all the girls I met there. They were my main social life through maternity leave and we have shared so much through the years. I was obviously lucky to get a really good group, but it seems to be fairly common to bond well.

I also did NHS classes which were good for getting information but I only kept in touch with one person for a short while. it was just harder to get to know people in a bigger group and somehow it didn't feel such a social setting.

Disclaimer: I am nothing to do with the NCT organisation! but I would really recommend it as a way of getting to meet people with kids the same age without having to strike up conversations in playgrounds etc (I'm not good at that sort of thing, but if you are, go for that too!)

NCT is wonderful and NHS is dire. Both DH and I agreed that If we'd only done NHS classes we would be terrified now (37wks)!

Also no time to chat at NHS, whereas social aspect been great at NCT. Curry nights etc! ( if your ever looking for a good laugh take 5 pregnant women to a curry house, they look terrified that we will all spontaneously go into labour!)

NCT all the way!

PS. I don't work for them either!

I'd have loved to do NCT classes. I had the choice of joining an 'ealier' group (Nov/Dec) or a later group (Mar/Apr - pretty much ruled out as I'm a mid-Jan birth) and being local, or joining the group for my due date and having to travel for 40mins...thus kinda defeating the point socially.
As it was, the cooridinator couldn't confirm the cost, the content of the courses, and told me there was a chance none of them would go ahead due to lack of interest (err, if you can't tell me the cost or the conent then why do you think people aren't interested!). And behold, the nov/dec and jan/feb classes were ineed cancelled.
However, both SILs did NCT and were 100% happy and have made lots of friends. Though they both said they didn't learn much more from the NCT classes than the NHS ones, or just reading books! They also said the NCT ones were great for DPs as they got to feel more included.

I chose not to do NCT classes as where I live they are full of WAG wannabes. I did the NHS ones which were brilliant. There were about 10 couples in total and five of us are really good friends now. So, I know the NCT lot bang on about what a lifeline they are in terms of making friends but you do make friends in the NHS classes as well. Our local NCT classes cost in the region of £200 and I was not prepared to spend the money when the same information is given at the NHS classes. Or to be honest, as someone else said, you can get all the info by reading books.

Depends what the alternatives are.
In my area there were no NHS classes at all, so it was NCT or nothing (if I'd known I was pregnant 3 months earlier I might have got into NHS, but that's 1 1-hour class, not 8x2 hours!). I knew diddly about babies so went for NCT and it was great - and much more by luck than NCT, the 6 of us are still in touch over 3 years later.

However the NCT classes differ in their approach - apparently some really do focus only on natural birth whereas ours covered every possible intervention too. I also mostly socialised with local mums who went to the same baby groups and some I met via Mumsnet!

My nct friends have been the best through maternity leave and while getting to grips with all the joys and sleepless nights of motherhood. I'd be lost without them. The classes were interesting but no more than that. NHS classes were useful for finding out what goes on at the hospital. Ours were too quick to learn anything and there were twenty other couples- none of whom Id recognise now. In summary I would.

We were moving to a new area too just before the baby was due so we travelled to NCT classes there and I also did the NHS ones run by my hospital in W.London.

Obviously there's a lot of overlap between them but the NCT ones were more relaxed, in someone's home rather than day centre, 6 couples rather than +20 etc. I chiefly did it to meet people locally so I had a network for when the baby was born and also to share experience of pregnancy, worries etc (much like these boards). We were really lucky with our group and also gained 4 more couples from an intensive course run at last minute, still meet regularly +2 yrs down the line. Worth every penny in my opinion. I made less effort at the NHS ones as I knew we wouldn't be there with the baby but they still seemed a nice group.

NCT also covered all possible types of birth and pain relief. Most important thing learnt was that you don't have to accept induction. I was booked for one at 40+12 but started naturally at 40+10, they wanted to induce because of high blood pressure on admission which I'd been having but always settled (white coat syndrome), the advice from the NCT course gave me the courage, and presence of mind, to ask if they could hold off for a bit and sure enough DD was delivered within 12 hours.

That said one of mates just did the NHS ones, no moving etc. etc., she found them fine and is still in touch with peeps from there +7 yrs down the line. I think it's most important that you do something locally.

Apologies for waffling, I find it hard to be succinct these days...

I've done both in recent weeks and found both really useful (I guess it completely depends on the quality of the teaching at both and the random luck of the draw with who goes along as well).

Both NHS and NCT left me feeling much more in control and from the NCT classes I have some fledgling friendships which feels really nice (i'm about to pop with DC1)...

I'd agree that local is most important as you'll want to be able to meet up with people as easily as possible

Good luck!

I'd check with your MW- the NCT runs a set of 3-4 free classes at my local hospital, which are offered instead of the NHS ones. I think it differs greatly in each area.

Our NHS classes were fantastic - very informative. I didn't bother with NCT because it was a lot of money, 6 Saturday mornings, and the only advantage I could see would have been making mummy friends, when I already have plenty. I've been to a few NCT mornings since DS was born and found the other mothers really cliquey, which I can live without, thanks.

See what the NHS offer in your area and if it seems inadequate, do NCT.

Hi, sorry I didn't come back for ages, but I really appreciate all replies, thank you.

I have registered an interest with the nct, there is a 4 session course that will fit in ok with my shifts so I'll do that. I need to meet people in the area, although after reading one of today's AIBUs maybe I don't want to! Hopefully I'll be lucky with the group I get!