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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 classes

14 replies

BananaToast · 07/09/2014 21:39

I'm pregnant with my first and keen to book myself on an NCT antenatal course at some point, and am looking for a bit of advice.

It's very early in my pregnancy (I'm only 6+5) but I've heard they tend to get booked up quite early. Just how soon should I be thinking about booking, all being well?

And I've been having a look at some of the courses available for my dates nearby and there seem to be options for shorter weekly meetings or two full day sessions. For those who have been on them, which would you recommend? Are there any advantages for choosing one over the other (other than suiting personal circumstances)?

I know I'm jumping the gun a bit as it's all still very early but I'd appreciate any advice.

OP posts:

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GreatJoanUmber · 07/09/2014 21:57

I'd wait till after your 12w scan. I don't think the courses get booked that far in advance!
I think I booked mine when I was around 20w but that was in 2008 so I don't quite remember
Oh, and choose the weekly ones. One of the main reasons for doing NCT courses is to meet people who are due at the same time as you - so more, weekly meetings will give you a better opportunity to make friends. FWIW my NCT group friends and I still meet up on a weekly basis

FruitBadger · 07/09/2014 22:01

Think it's pot luck really, ours starts next week, we booked in late June because I'd heard the same as you but it's still not full.

PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein · 07/09/2014 22:04

The weekly ones give more opportunity for making friends and the teacher can be more responsive to the group and what they want to cover. Weekly classes tend to get better feedback. Book as soon as you know you definitely want to do the classes - in my area you don't get a space if you wait until 20 weeks!

mummaduke · 07/09/2014 22:09

If you know you want to do it, book ASAP. Obviously it's not nice to think about, but I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they offer money back should anything happen to your baby.

I'd also recommend weekly classes, a longer period of time to get to know the other mums and dads to be.

NCT was my life saver!

LightTripper · 07/09/2014 22:53

I liked doing weekly. I can't remember how early I booked, I think around 14 weeks and we were top of the teacher's list which I suspect may mean we enrolled first (we were also due first, so I guess that helped).

Missingcaffeine · 08/09/2014 08:37

I booked not long after my 12 week scan I think, but there were still spaces at around 20 weeks.
Really enjoyed my NCT sessions. Had a few options, I went for the longest course I could find - think it was 4 evening sessions and 2 half days. Most people do NCT to meet others as well as learn things, so even if you do a short course, I'm sure other parents will want to exchange details and keep in touch.

squizita · 08/09/2014 08:45

I did the weekly classes - the 'essential' cheaper package.
i actually preferred this because it was a larger group so more people to mix with (you won't 'gel' with everyone there and/or see them all again - for example one lady worked abroad and had come back to have the baby privately, but then returned 'home'). It was in a hall not someone's house, which also made it a bit easier to mingle in a way and ask questions, less personal space-y. The content was also more spread out and structured over the 5 sessions.

I did a one day course (not NCT) and though it was similar it total time it felt all squashed together and rushed. It was well structured, but there was just too much input over 5 hours!

squizita · 08/09/2014 08:46

...if you join NCT they also have bump-and-baby clubs and so on, they send you a little local magazine/leaflet with details of everyone you need to contact.

wm3010 · 08/09/2014 13:31

Ours was two 6 hour sessions and a 3 hour session. We couldn't do weekly ones as it was too hard to find an evening dh and I could both make consistently. It meant we didn't socialise during the course but we have stayed in touch, the babies are now 3-5 months old and the NCT mums have been a lifesaver for me. The dads are now starting to meet up too which is lovely.

alliemarg · 08/09/2014 15:44

I did the two full days and really enjoyed it. It was enough time to get to know everybody and bond, and it was easier to commit to rather than trying to be free after work for a set of evenings. That said, it was tiring so maybe consider booking the Monday morning after off or the Friday before

alliemarg · 08/09/2014 15:46

Also we have three coffee mornings and a reunion organised for us, so plenty sociable (we started our own Facebook group and have met up numerous times off our own backs but still nice to have them there)

Original poster

BananaToast · 08/09/2014 18:16

Thanks this is all really useful. I had thought I'd prefer the weekly meetings and your experiences have confirmed this. Think I'll plan to book after my 12 week scan to be sure I get on the one I want.

OP posts:

DanyStormborn · 08/09/2014 21:29

I booked after my 12 week scan and there was still plenty of availability in my area. But I have known people who have left it later (20+ weeks) who haven't got their first choice of course location or times.

DinoSnores · 09/09/2014 11:14

Locally, when I was having DC1 4 years ago, you needed to book before your 12 weeks scan here but they don't ask for payment until afterwards. I don't know what it is like now.

I was glad of the weekly meetings so that relationships could build up between people. While I don't see anyone from them now really, their friendship and contact during the first few months was invaluable!

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