NCT Classes - worth the money?

[StaceyP85]

Hi There
I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with my first child and was recently recommended by a family member to consider the NCT antenatal classes rather than the NHS variety.

I put through an enquiry and found a group near me, but its £160 for the course, which seems quite high.

Happy to pay the costs if it's of benefit, I just wanted some advice from some other mums.
Also did you become members or just do the course?

Thanks for your help.

We just did the course. Best 160 quid I ever spent!

The groups are small (around 6-8 couples) with lots of chance to discuss and ask questions. More important than the information is the fact you make friends with other couples having a baby around the same time as you. I met up with my NCT friends 3-4 times a week during maternity leave and it was a godsend. (This may not be important to you if you already have local friends/relatives who are around in the daytime when you're on maternity leave.)

Just a word of warning - the info about childbirth and breastfeeding is presented in a very positive light and many people felt it was unrealistic as the reality was much more difficult and painful than expected!

Thanks very much for your response. It would be lovely to have an additional support network and make some other mum friends :)

I think that is what is swaying me to do it. :)

Where we live the NHS classes were big talks and for me gave me more questions than they answered. Out NCT class was a group of 7 couples. There was much more participation which meant that we all got to know each other. Can't say I like all of them but have made some good friends who i see at least weekly and we do all meet up as a group occasionally now nearly 2 years on.

I was expecting an emphasis on natural childbirth, but in fact was very informative about all the options and possible interventions. Much more so than the nhs ones where they ran out of time to talk about ventouse/forceps/c-section.

Even if you don't take the classes I would recommend making contact with the group anyway, I go to some groups for expectant parents and have met some really nice people through this.

We are taking NHS and local children's centre classes as the NCT ones in our area are running on a day we just can't do. The class sizes do seem quite big and only meet a total of 4 times so not sure how helpful they will be in meeting people but as a clueless first time mum hopefully they will at least be some practical use.

Do it!
I ummed and ahhed over doing the course (even more expensive where I am)
Course content was superb, factual, well facilitated.
Still in contact with the 6 lovely couples & they are a great support.

Nct in my experience is not lentil weavery at all. The bra lady that came to my house & sold me a vvvv great bra was an nct service. Brilliant! Chucked my crappy M&S bras in the bin! (didn't really, they are going to charity shop)

Thanks so much ladies, knew i would get some great advice from the mumsnetters

I didn't take the NCT classes so I can't go into exactly what it covers, I can only go by what friends and family have said.

We did an NHS day class. All day at the weekend as this was the only one both me and DP could attend. I found it fantastic. Lots of helpful information, run by a staff member at the hospital so knew the exact procedures, rules etc, for that particular maternity unit, which was very helpful. Plenty of time for questions etc and any that I thought of afterwards I just googled, but to be honest I think everything was answered and I ended up just googling things I'd forgotten.

From speaking to my friends who've done NCT classes nearly all of them say they did it for the social aspect. Making friend was something we missed out n with the NHS class but I think that was mainly down to the fact that it was all in one day and not spread out like other NHS classes and the NCT ones. Though we have made an awful lot of friends going to baby groups. The best friends I've made since becoming a mum are from an under ones group run by my local children's centre for free.

We could have potentially stretched our budget for NCT classes but in the end it wasn't the best option for us and I'm pleased with my choice not to, but I know others who have loved them and will be doing the same for second baby

Best place to meeting new friends at the same stage as you...however my NCT teacher was very positive towards natural births and no pain relief. I wouldn't say she was pushy at all, just very set in her ways. Which is total fine if you have a 6lb baby, not if like me you have a 9lb 13oz whopper

The NCT group near me is very pro attachment parenting, which is someone I'm not keen on. Nothing against it, just personally choice. I have found some of the coffee morning mothers / leaders are very opinionated about breast feeding, sleeping etc etc. Just take it all with a pinch of salt. One mother told me I should of tried harder to breastfeed DD for longer and how wonderful and nature it all is blaaa blaaa blaa.

Should of said, one couple in our group didn't join the NCT however still were in our group. They paid for the course privately with the teacher and join us.

Might be worth seeing if you could do that too, if they have any spaces.

Yes - do it! You are pretty much "buying" friends, but invaluable for new mums for have others around for support who understand totally what you're going through.
I still meet up with my NCT mums & babies nearly every week 2 years on!
But I agree with xmasbaby that it doesn't give you much info re actually giving birth, but seeing as this is an area where you end up just having to go with the flow according to what happens on the day, I didnt' really mind.