NCT Refresher course - worth it or not?

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

Has anyone been on one of these courses? I already have a 3 year old so I don't really want to go to an antenatal course full of first time mums.

If you've been on the refresher course was it worth it in your opinion?

I booked one for DC2 (also 3 yr age gap), partly because we had just moved house so my network of former NCT/ mums and babies friends wasn't available any more. I only went to the first session in the end, out of four. My main reason for going was to make new friends and I really didn't gel with any of the other mums. Also, it was miles away from home and I just couldn't face the journey as I had various pregnancy aches and pains. To be honest the content didn't really look that useful. In the first session we just talked about our previous birth experiences. Future sessions were going to cover topics like dealing with sibling rivalry, which I guess could be helpful. In retrospect obviously I wish I hadn't wasted the money on it but I imagine others have had much more positive experiences. A lot depends on the course leader ime. Good luck with your new baby whatever you decide.

I just did one... The content wasn't that useful, for the Sibling Rivalry but she basically just advised we read Siblings Without Rivalry.

Maybe more use if you're going for a vbac or had a bad/difficult first birth.

Did meet a lady on the next road over which is really nice. But the other people are all quite far away so I don't see us hanging out much.

Only worth it if you need some mat leave buddies IMHO.

I did one before DC5 (yes you would think I had the hang of it by then) but only because I had recently moved areas and my DM payed for it because she was upset I had no friends . It worked in that aspect as I now have some lovely friends who I see regularly, however the content really wasn't up to much.