NCT vs NHS antenatal classes- anyone recommend

[whittlefish]

I have been talking to some friends who recently have had kids to see if which they think is best and they seem to rate the NCT ones. Just thought I would see what the consensus on here was as you obviously have to pay for the NCT ones but they seem a bit better and are good for meeting people in your area more. Also do you think it would be good to do both or just the NCT one?

I started both last week. Completely different approaches but I found the first sessions of each really useful in different ways. My NCT group is really small (only 3 couples) whereas the NHS one is much bigger. Depends on whether you want the basic facts (NHS) or some relaxation techniques and a more 'friendly' discussion!

If you can, do both. It's a lot of information an it really helps to go through it twice.

Thank you little grey are you doing the signiture or essentials one? We were looking at signiture as is more local to us than essentials but not sure which is best

We opted for the NCT signature classes because the NHS ones were during work hours which didn't suit me or DP who also wanted to be involved. There were 7 couples in our class and most still meet up on a weekly basis.

I do think the NCT experience really depends on the leader though. Ours was very good and covered everything we requested, including c sections, epidurals, bottle feeding and pnd. But a lot of people say it felt as though their class had an 'agenda' and that breastfeeding was pushed. We all made it really clear from the get go that we didn't want anyone judged for whatever birth/parenting decision they made and everyone respected that.

I did one, two hour NHS one (all that was offered in our area) and it was rubbish. They did the stages of labour and birth, which seemed to lean very heavily on "don't come to hospital too early" type warnings followed by pain relief (all of which you could have learned through reading a leaflet), then they showed us some instruments, a catheter etc. There wasn't any time to talk to the other couples, no bf/ff support, just the absolute basics.
A friend of mine did nct and whilst she found the classes a bit pro bf/ no epidural/natural birth for her liking she made some good friends. Fortunately I've just latched on to her group so saved a bomb!

I attended my parent craft class this morning, it was supposed to be 9.30-3.30

The morning was focusing on labour and the afternoon on how to look after your baby.

However, after 1hr I had such a huge hot flush that I had to leave the room and nearly passed out (blurry vision, feeling sick etc). So I came home and had a long sleep and feel a bit better now. But obv missed the entire thing!

As this is my first baby I literally know nothing and they haven't got another class till my due date!

Can you give me some advice of the things that I now need to look up so I know what to do???!!!

That sounds awful Chocolatecakefan.

-Read up on the stages of labour and how to recognise them, all of the pain relief options (you can go through these with your community mw and at the hospital when you're in labour-presuming there's time!),induction, interventions (emcs, forceps, ventouse).
-Look up shopping lists for baby on mn- they're better than any of the others I've seen.
-Have a look at an on line copy of a birth plan, it might give you some ideas of things you want to discuss with your mw ( Vit injection on birth, managed third stage of labour).
-Arrange a viewing of the maternity dept, delivery rooms, MLU you're going to deliver at. In my area they're called a Stork Walk and they're at set times so you and a few other couples go along.
-Feeding is a biggie that I gave far, far too little thought. I thought I'd just bf and read a leaflet and watched a dvd that the mw gave me. Nowhere near enough. Kellymom, LLL and nct websites are good for bf. nct also has some ff info.
Look up nct Bumps and Babies Clubs, as the name suggests you can go whilst still pregnant and meet people and get info.
-Find your nearest Sure Start Centre- they're great for baby classes etc.
-Don't worry too much about baby care, they'll tell you everything you need to know before you leave hospital or during your mw/health visitor visits.

Thanks NickyEds

I'll speak to my midwife on Thursday at my next appt, although tbh I find her utterly useless! She has spent the last two spots on the phone trying to speak to another surgery and spoken to me while she's been on hold.

NCT are better for meeting people but can vary in quality and woo-ness (even locally). I did the essentials course and it covered everything really.
I also did the nhs one. Although the same on paper it was very rushed with little time for Q&A as it was 1 day with about 20 couples in a big room.

Thanks all I think I might go go both then covered all based, can't be too prepared