NCT courses

[bellerous]

Has anyone done an NCT course? I wanted to know if it's worth the money or if the NHS ones are just as good?

I only made it to one class as my baby came early. I would say it was still an excellent investment as I meet up with my fellow nct mums 2-3 times per week and it was worth the money for that alone. I have new friends going through exactly what I am going through and we support each other when the going gets tough. I may be exceptionally lucky in that I like them all but I am so glad I did it and feel that my new friends have stopped me from feeling isolated with a new baby.

The class I made it to was good but apparently the rest of the group said the breastfeeding class was a bit unrealistic and didn't portray what a challenge it can be. I didn't find that they rammed natural birth down your throat at all and our course leader seemed like she gave a balanced view.

I really enjoyed NCT. We got on really well as a group and are still friends nearly 2 years later.

Cass thanks... Sounds a bit guilt trippy .. Cant wait to see what my experience will be .

My MW is obsessed with home births. She won't give up even though she knows I will be having an ELCS and I won't change my mind on CS (or BF) even with all her scary stories...

I really like the idea if meeting other new mums. My SIL still meets up with all (except 1 couple) of her NCT friends and their DC1 is 4 years old now. I think that's really lovely

takingthestairs - i looked at the course and the cost online. I asked to be put on the 'yes i'm interested hold me a place and send me an email' list. There was a click here and pay kind of link on the email i had a couple of days later.

I may be completely wrong about the £40 membership thing, but i thought in the break down of costs £40 membership was included.

I'll go and have another look at my emails x

Did any of you do the post natal course as well? They've recommended it and saved me a space it costs an extra £75. Would you recommend it?

Thanks

OK - (sorry OP) this is a C&P of my email, in case it's of interest to anyone:

Course Details
Course Antenatal - 6E/C646
Starts 9th October 2013
Ends 27th November 2013
Venue Bourton on Dunsmore Village Hall
Sessions
Day Date Starts Ends Notes
Wednesday 9 Oct 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 16 Oct 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 23 Oct 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 30 Oct 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 6 Nov 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 13 Nov 2013 19:00 22:00 Breastfeeding session.
Wednesday 20 Nov 2013 19:30 21:30
Wednesday 27 Nov 2013 19:30 21:30
There is also a 2 hour reunion for all course participants with their new baby after the births. Your NCT Practitioner will agree a date, time and location for this with you.
NCT membership Joint Standard Quarterly DD
Total fees £219.00 which includes £40.00 for your membership.

...... Then it says click ''accept'' if you're happy with this. Your place is held till 5th Aug.

Hmmm, I think i'll try and get a contact no. for the organiser.

fluffy If you want a refund of the £40, I would contact NCT itself, I'm fairly sure the organiser wouldn't handle that side of things.

Do get in touch with the NCT to see what cost level your course will be for your total household income! We've booked our antenatal course for the bargain price of £29!! And we didn't opt for the membership either.

Loved my NCT classes. Hubbie and I learnt so much about the entire process of pregnancy, labour and what to expect with a newborn, plus we made great friends too. Would highly recommend!

I think the quality of nct classes varies wildly depending on teacher. I had a lovely woman called Helen.

I already 'knew' chapter & verse on birth from mumsnet but some of the things she said rang in my head when I was in labour.

The bf teacher was rubbish for my group. Really OTT about the evils of ff & no practical advice.

I'm still friends with a large chunk of the original group 3 years on. I wouldn't have been without them on mat leave & since then it's nice to have friends with kids the same age & see everyone get on with second pregnancy & child rearing (& me too now!)

I've known people make friends with people they met on nhs course in the same way. Nct are really good at getting groups back together. If there's an nhs course in your area you might just have to be bold about asking people for their numbers.

There's lots of ways to make maternity buddies & learn about birth. Nct is just convenient.

once you click through to pay from rhe email fluffyraggies posted you can change the membership to no membership or various direct debit options before you enter card details or you could on my email.

id also love to know what people thought of the postnatal course, trying to decide whether to sign up for that too at the moment.