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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 classes

9 replies

MrsRV · 18/12/2011 21:05

Unfortunately there are no local antenatal classes run in my area other than private ones. The NCT classes are over a hundred pounds and the course is 18 hours in total - evening sessions mostly, a whole day Saturday session and a breastfeeding session on a weekday during the day.

Evening sessions are ok although run til9.30 (andcurrently I only manage to stay up til 9), hubby works Saturday's so means him booking a days hol and the breastfeeding session is about 2-3 days before I'm due to finish work and is 10-12 (and I have no holiday left!).

So... After all that, what I'm trying to ask is, are they really worth it? I've already read a fair bit and i'm very much of the opinion that i'll just go with the flow but was keen to go on a "course" :-)

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Gigondas · 18/12/2011 21:11

Are there really none offered via your hospital or midwife? Even If it's a less formal go and meet / greet.

Tbh the biggest benefit of my nct was Meeting other mums- which you can do via coffee mornings after. The classes were ok but a lot of that depends on teacher . Ours was very responsive and as a mother of three herself quite practical in her response. She was also
Very open and knowledgeable about all types of Birth experience .
The feeding session was ok but tbh I had issues after which weren't covered so good knowledge of bf support in your areas is a good idea for after.

Tbh you can get most of ideas re birth from reading /here. But the support network was invaluable for me. That said can get that though local meet ups/here too.

Oh and completely agree re 9.30 finish...

frankietwospots · 18/12/2011 21:12

Hi MrsRV,

Based on my own experience, I would say the NCT classes are worth every penny. We had a great teacher and learnt so much from her, especially from the interactive exercises. It's great for dads-to-be too as they feel more involved. The best bit is that you will most likely keep in touch with your NCT group afterwards. I have met up with my NCT pals numerous times and haven't given birth yet (40 + 5 today) and we already have plans to meet up for coffee and do Buggy Fit classes together in the New Year. If you are keen to go on a course, I think you should go for it, especially as local NHS classes are being cut back left, right and centre. Also, you make a good point about the classes being long. Make sure you take a comfy cushion or two as they often take place in children's centres which don't have armchairs!

Xmasbaby11 · 18/12/2011 21:18

It depends if you want to meet other parents and have the chance to talk about the birth, feeding etc. Tis is the main incentive for most people. If you already have local friends of family who will be around when you're on maternity leave, it's less imporant.

I've just finished the NCT course and really enjoyed it - the info went in a lot more than just through reading, and I've made local friends who I've already met up with before I've even had the baby! It's also great for the men who often haven't read as much as their other halves. I thought it was good value and loved it!

It's a bit weird you have a daytime bf session before the birth, but your work is obliged to give you time off for these things. If it's a problem your DH having a Sat off work, he could miss that session. Everyone is a bit yawny by 9.30 but it's a good use of an evening - you do learn a lot.

The other option is to see where the nearest free classes are - there must be some at a hospital nearish you. Have you asked your midwide?

QTPie · 18/12/2011 21:54

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

sprinkles77 · 18/12/2011 22:11

I think the classes kill a lot of birds with one stone. You meet people, it's useful for partners who are not yet in the zone or who are scared, you will learn some useful tips for labour and the post partum period. Our teacher was available on the phone 24hrs a day and was really helpful to several Of us both before and after the births. You can get all this elsewhere but with classes it's all on a plate for you. Our classes ran till 10 pm which was tough going, and we also had a day time breast feeding class (which I missed as I got admitted to hospital). I went to one of the 8 classes alone as DH couldn't make it. Oh and I never experienced labour, had an EMCS and didn't BF. it was still worth doing!

user59457812 · 19/12/2011 12:58

Your work is obliged to give you reasonable paid time off for birth preparation classes so it shouldn't be an issue that you have no holiday (they shouldn't ask you to make it up another time either). If it is only one session they really shouldn't make a fuss - look here for your rights, you can show it to them if needs be: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556

I haven't done NCT yet but everyone I know said it was a god send. I've had quite poor care from my midwife and no information on birth (I posted about it today!) so I'm now relying on NCT...

LazyDaisyWorcs · 08/01/2012 15:35

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Message deleted by Mumsnet.

Hybrid · 08/01/2012 22:58

I honestly believe joining my NCT group was the best preparation I had for my baby. It's informative but not any more so than what your NHS hospital should be providing.

I'd say the main benefits for us were:

Doing a whole weekend course which I would recommend as it's much more likely that all your group will stay the course and therefore more likely to get to know each other.

It was the first opportunity my DH and I had to focus entirely on our pregnancy, labour and our forthcoming child without any interruptions and it was lovely.

The postnatal support you get from the people in your group is incredible. Even if you have friends with kids who are a bit older it's nit the same as kids change so rapidly and go in and out of phases from day to day. I also find that I really cannot go through my trials and tribulations with friends who don't have kids - I really wouldn't want to bore them!

People who pay for these courses are keen to meet others for support as well so if that's what you're looking for then it's nice to know you're all after the same thing.

My son in 2 1/2 years now and I honestly count my NCT friends as very good, close friends. I see them each week.

It obviously is totally dependent on who happens to be in you're group but for us it was the best of decisions.

Having said all that, there are plenty of postnatal groups you can attend and I also have lovely friends via these.

flapjack77 · 09/01/2012 00:09

For us the nct classes we went to were a waste of time and money. Didn't learn anything new that hadn't been covered in nhs course. There was only one other couple on our course and we didn't stay in touch as both had to travel from opposite directions to get there.

My advice would be to check how many other people have signed up to your local course before paying all that money!

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