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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/NHS classes???

21 replies

Kelerina · 10/09/2012 18:33

Hi all,

I am only 15+3 but starting to think about classes etc, this is my first pregnancy so want to be as informed as possible!

Live in Edinburgh and not sure what is the norm, are there free NHS antenatal classes? Had a look at NCT but pretty pricey......are they worth it? Do you have to go through your midwife if there are NHS classes? When do they usually start?

Thanks!!

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MoonHare · 10/09/2012 18:43

Hi OP I would definitely reccommend NCT classes and if you want to do them you'll need to book soon as they are so popular, so now would be the time to do it.

Can't comment on NHS classes in your area but for us the NCT classes were fantastic, not because of what we learned (don't worry there is no lying on your back learning how to breath type stuff!) but because of who we met.

It's over 4 years since we attended our classes and of the 8 couples there, 5 of us are still in very regular contact. Those friendships were a godsend to me when DD1 was first born. Friends who understood and wanted to talk about babies just as much as I did - invaluable! Having those friends also gave me the confidence to go out and make other new friends.

They are pricey but have been worth every penny to us.

LimeLeafLizard · 10/09/2012 18:44

I did both (it is a few years ago though!).

NCT ones were worth it for the friends I made (I was lucky with this - some people don't 'gel' with their groups) and taking the time to ask questions, practice techniques etc.

NHS ones were more factual, brisk, but also useful as they were taught by community midwives that I got to know later, and included a tour of the hospital.

Both were aimed at people 30+ weeks pregnant, so you have a while to decide.

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 10/09/2012 18:46

I've heard that the NHS only offer one class now, rather than a series of weekly classes.

Anyone know if this is correct or just in my local area?

Startailoforangeandgold · 10/09/2012 18:49

NCT was well worth it for the friends I made, we had a 10y reunion last year.

My NHS ones were hopeless and I didn't finish them.

However, ours were taught by the towns, infamously, hopeless MW.

Mrscog · 10/09/2012 19:00

I didn't do either - all the information is availble on the NHS websites and Emma's diary etc. and then you can use online forums to ask questions. At 30+ I was far too tired to give up chunks of evening/weekend to go through info I could happily read about at home!

Coldcuppacoffee · 10/09/2012 19:02

Another pro NCT. It's an expensive way to meet people but you only go through this once and i wouldn't have done it without my buddies.
I did the NHS ones too. The NCT ones are done by an antenatal teacher. The NHS by a midwife. As a bit of a nerdy information person, I got to ask quite technical questions at the NHS one (bet everyone else LOVED me!). With our NHS ones, it was the only way to et a tour of the hospital and they say that seeing it first makes birth easier as the clinical atmosphere is less of a shock.

Hope that helps.

Emmiedarling · 10/09/2012 19:08

I went to one NHS class and never went back :/

Just completed NCT and found it really helpful. Worth the money imo!

I am 36 weeks and just finished them.

mummysmellsofsick · 10/09/2012 19:13

NCT has been worth it for me. I also thought it was too expensive but it has been priceless having a local group of mums to hang out with all year. I'm so glad we did. Plus I learned a few things in the classes

Original poster

Kelerina · 10/09/2012 19:55

Thanks everyone, might give them a go, am just put off by the price, we are also hoping to move house before baby is born so don't know if I book a local one now if it'll be convenient once the time comes but can't leave it too late as they fill up!

OP posts:

TheSurgeonsMate · 10/09/2012 20:03

I live in Edinburgh. I had my baby about two years ago. NHS offered a set of four classes at that time. I was happy with them, and I met lots of women there.

Original poster

Kelerina · 10/09/2012 20:08

TheSurgeonsMate- did you get the info via your midwife? When did they start?

OP posts:

FrameyMcFrame · 10/09/2012 20:14

Hi, I went to both and hated the NCT ones.
However the NHS ones were more my cup of tea, down to earth factual info. Made very good friends with the group at the NHS class and we are still friends 11 years on.

I would say try both. I was a single Mum and the NCT class was very based on couples and the Dad's role. The teacher was really insensitive to the fact that I was there on my own... Not good :(

Secondsop · 10/09/2012 21:10

My area of London only offers 1 NHS class, and no hospital tour (although a dvd is available I think) and as this is our first baby we wanted something more so we've booked a course of NCT courses. I do like the newsletters and emails from the local branch - my husband will be doing most of the childcare after my maternity leave so there are lots of opportunities through NCT events for him (and me) to meet other local people with babies.

TheSurgeonsMate · 10/09/2012 21:25

Yes, the midwife told me when they were. I have no idea when they started - it was two years ago .

PeshwariNaan · 10/09/2012 21:56

It's all down to what you can afford. I'm fairly new to my area and would love to make other mum friends, but it comes down to a choice between life insurance/ something important for baby or NCT classes for us. We're avid readers so we'll be prepared, and I'm just planning to meet people through baby groups if possible. I know people who've done both and they say the main difference is a social one. If you've got the cash to spare, go for it.

MsElisaDay · 10/09/2012 23:41

Currently doing the NHS course in my area and it's great. There's around eight couples in the group and it consists of weekly two-hour evening sessions for five weeks. On top of that there's also an optional baby first aid course.
For those that can't do evenings, they do an 'intensive' weekend course instead.

It depends where you live of course- and how much money you have- but, where I am, the NHS offering is so good that I think you'd have to be a bit mad/ keen to meet the 'right' people, to pay for NCT.

Our NHS class covers all the basic medical know-how, as well as home birth, water birth, active birthing, hypnobirthing and the rest. Haven't got to the caring for baby classes yet, so can't comment on those, but i've been very impressed thus far.
Prior to actually attending, I was quite cynical and wasn't sure they'd tell me anything I hadn't read up on already, but i've been pleasantly surprised.

Kelbells · 11/09/2012 08:29

I've just finished NCT classes and when I booked them it was only because my husband couldn't come to the NHS classes with me. I thought they were overpriced and an expense we could do without at the moment.... How wrong I was!! We met some great people, who i hope that we stay in touch with, and the classes themselves were at a better pace, relaxed and open for as many questions as you liked, compared to the rushed conveyor belt of the NHS. We learned a huge amount and the breast feeding class was really reassuring too. If you can afford it, I would

cakeandcava · 11/09/2012 09:55

I'm in Edinburgh. I'm 34 weeks right now, in the middle of doing our NCT classes. I'm really really enjoying it -the teacher has been excellent. They do give you 'local' information about your specific options (that was the one thing I was worried would be missing as opposed to NHS).

The NHS class I wasn't able to go to as it clashed with other commitments -I got a letter sent out from my midwife about it around 20 weeks. I have heard both good and bad things about it from others. They are very crowded and 'lecture' rather than 'practice' based (at NCT we've done lots of positions and massaging -very useful), but they do give good, non-biased information.

You could also check out the Pregnancy and Parents centre in Tollcross -they do ante-natal yoga and birth preparation classes, much cheaper than NCT and also really good for meeting other people in a similar situation. I've done the yoga there, it's really good.

Stacks · 11/09/2012 12:05

I'm also in Edinburgh, and am now 28 weeks. I got info about the NHS classes at my 22 week appointment from my midwife. I'm due in Dec, and she booked me in for a course starting in Oct. I think there's 3 or 4 sessions...

I'm also doing the NCT classes, though the one I was originally booked on (for Dec babies) didn't have enough sign-ups to run, so I was transferred onto a later course. These also start in October, and run weekly through till the end of Nov. I booked them when I was about 20 weeks, and there's a maximum of 8 couples on each course.

When my course was moved they suggested alternatives of a one-to-one session (at £55 per hour, recommended to do 2 hours), or one of their local branch events

mummysmellsofsick · 11/09/2012 12:13

Oh and if you get a babysitting circle working you'll be quids in very quickly. Our group has a points system- 1 point = 1 hour. It's been invaluable

isambardo · 11/09/2012 13:07

I'm 30 weeks so just starting all the classes. I've been to the local NHS class; here they offer one 2hr class on labour and one for breastfeeding. Can also request a tour of the birthing unit. The class was useful, run by a midwife, but was a whirlwind talk through the process of labour and focused on pain relief options. I would say its quite conventional - the focus was definitely hospital births.
Also started on an NCT course which runs for 8 weeks. It's much more comprehensive and offers a lot more information about relaxation, preparation for birth, everything surrounding it really, and includes a session on breastfeeding. The course isn't run by a midwife, but the instructor has years of experience and seems very informed.
Currently I would say its worth doing both, especially to meet people who you may (hopefully!) keep in touch with once babies are born.
Also, I go to a pregnancy yoga and active birth class every week. This is women only and I've gained loads of good information. The repetition of the exercises and relaxation each week is starting to sink in and I can imagine it all being very practical and useful when D-day arrives! The woman that runs it is very knowledgeable and an experienced doula. Its also nice seeing the women who are more pregnant than you leave, only to return a couple weeks later with a baby and a birth story. This is also the best source of info I have found if you are interested in hypnobirthing/natural pain relief/home births etc but certainly doesn't push you in that direction (most women who attend the class go to our local birthing centre at the hospital) but its the most 'alternative' type of class I have found.

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