Antenatal classes - are they worth it?

[LittleMiss77]

There is no NHS lead antenatal class in my city at the moment, so my only option is to stump up a couple of hundred for NCT (or slightly less for another privately run class)

Im not exactly flush at the moment and the money could go towards a buggy, cot etc.... so im wondering whether or not to bother with the classes. Some people ive spoken to have said that they are helpful, some have said that you're essentially paying for friends and others have said they aren't that useful.

Thoughts and comments on this would be gratefully appreciated - if i dont go, will i be missing out or should i sack them off and use the money to buy stuff for the baby?

Same situation for us littlemiss I've chosen to sack them off. Money is tight for us right now so I'm doing lots of reading up on the things covered in antenatal classes and my midwife is great at answering my questions and offering support.

In an ideal world, we would be going to classes though

I didn't learn anything helpful or new from childbirth classes. I had read a number of books though. I tried 3 different types (I was v anxious) and the only real benefit I got was making friends at the nct classes.

A number of my friends from before babies did not do nct because of the cost. They went to mum and baby groups once their baby arrived. They made really good friends there.

I've signed up because I feel like I have no idea what to do when the baby gets here! But if you have family and friends you can ask for advice I'm sure you'll be ok.

A lot of people do them for the social aspect but it depends on whether you click with the people in your group as to whether it is worthwhile for that.

If money is tight, use it for something more practical, and go to a baby group after you have the baby.

Can't believe there are no NHS classes. I found them very useful first time particularly the tour of delivery suite.

We did nct last time and it was useful for 2 things. 1 The social aspect and 2 that when we ended up with an emcs oh knew just how many hospital staff should be in the room & didn't panic! If things are tight I'd give it a miss, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find all the info online.

My nct class was about the birth, not looking after the baby afterwards. I'd had no experience of that before & we were fine with books.

You should be able to get a hospital tour separately.

Also, I thought the nct can help financially towards the cost as they're a charity.... Not sure if you have to be on certain benefits rather than just short of cash tho.

Morning everyone - thanks for the replies.

I think my concern was that if i dont go, im going to miss out on some vital, need to know information on labour, pain relief or something else that im going to have to know in preparation for the big day! I wouldnt say im overly anxious about labour however i would like to know what to expect to reduce the surprises!

Im lucky enough to have a strong support group - family close by and itching to help/put thier tuppence worth in and lots of friends with babies. I'm leaning towards relying on them plus some reading/google searching to fill in all the blanks.

The local NHS provision was provided in conjunction with the local uni, who have pulled out of the arrangement = no classes. I was offered some council run classes but when I enquired it became apparent that they werent what I was looking for/particularly suitable. NCT classes were in excess of £200!