Reading books is the other option of course and I thought that would be the best way of getting information for us.
We did NHS classes (2 together in one afternoon) to involve DP (though he's been reading too), because being told things directly can make them more memorable, especially clear directions about what to do, and in case there was any specific information they'd give us about the way they work. This was ok, quite light on information, essentially reassuring everyone that 'this happens, you come to us, we'll look after you and it will all be fine'. It did prompt me to think about a couple of practical things.
I also did a one day women's only class at the local health centre, which was good as everyone was local, we chatted over lunch, swapped contact details and are due to have coffee (this is all very recent, so practically, I've yet to put it all to the test!) but covered exactly the same material as the other class.
I think NCT classes tell you more about the decisions made along the way and what choices you have. There may be an emphasis on drug-free birth but they're just giving you information. A couple of friends have done them and found them useful either from that point of view or for meeting people.
If they operated in our neighbourhood I might have done them for the 'meeting people' purpose but they don't. The money and considerably greater time involved were off-putting too. They do coffee mornings and things, free, later anyway. I did a local pre-natal exercise class as a social thing and there are quite a few mother and baby activities.
I put a question to the MW running the local class from one of these friends, about the injection given to speed delivery of the placenta, which from the friend's understanding of NCT information is to get everything dealt with quickly for the convenience of the staff, not for the mother's benefit but generally just given without asking - the friend declined it but wouldn't have been offered the choice if she hadn't known to speak up. The MW clearly didn't see it that way, though admitted it's only medically necessary if after a little while there's heavy bleeding or other problem and aid that of course you're always asked before being given any drug and do have a choice - then said this one is by injection in the leg just after the birth - probably not the best time for a discussion about its desirability. So, if you're concerned about minimising drugs and knowing what choices you can and can't make, NCT are probably good. NHS do emphasise choices about pain relief but there was an element of 'we'll look after you it will all be fine', which is probably true of course.