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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 - are they worth it?

54 replies

peanuthead · 07/03/2007 11:40

Just got the NCT bumf through and a bit horrified at the £200 charge - are they worth doing or can we get away with the NHS ones?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Littlefish · 07/03/2007 16:31

Hi peanut

In my area you can go along to things like bumps and babes and other open house events without having to be a member. There are lots of people who do.

I chose to become a member because I support the work they are trying to do.

If you go onto the NCT website, you can put in your postcode and find out some of the things that are happening in your area (not just ante-natal classes).

Bear in mind though that not every branch puts their information on the website. You might just get their contact details. Most branches produce a newsletter though I think.

NCT website

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 16:42

oh yes, do google as well - I couldn't find even a mention of my branch on the main NCT website but a google for '[town] NCT' found their own (large and helpful) site.

speedymama · 07/03/2007 16:55

I thought the NCT classes were a waste of money. The woman kept repeating the same stuff week in week out and for the price, DH and I thought it was very poor VFM.

Our friends, who were also expecting, went to the NHS classes and thought they were good.

IMO, don't waste your money.

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 16:59

hah - the NHS where I am now only offer a Saturday afternoon course - 20 people, 1hr on labour and birth, 1hr on parentcraft.
Even the NCT has got to be better than that, if only because you have the tutor around for longer so you can ask her more questions...

fennel · 07/03/2007 17:01

I went to NCT and did make some good lasting friends there. But I also made equally good lasting friends from the (NHS-run) aquanatal exercise classes, and I met people in a whole load of other pregnancy exercise and post-natal coffee groups - there are lots of groups and ways to meet people with a new baby. So if you just want to meet friends with new babies, there will be other ways.

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:10

What you can do with NCT varies a lot from area to area. In our branch, we have coffee mornings that are open to everyone. You don't have to attend a class, or even join the NCT, to attend.

I know that at least one of our neighbouring branches groups people by due date and slots them into coffee morning groups (rather than having a relaxed drop-in system like we have).

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:12

Oh, and MrsB, I think HC is involved in the NCT in your area - at least, if it's organised by county. You want to be booking classes sooner rather than later - I don't know when you're due, but some branch's classes get booked up ages in advance.

pianist · 07/03/2007 17:13

I would say yes, it is worth it - but mainly for the social contacts you build up.

It can also lead you to have high hopes for your birth and as a result you might feel disappointed and a failure afterwards.

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 17:15

have been trying to ring the booking sec for the last two weeks ...
HC is down the road but think they have their own stuff seperate from ours.

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:17

As a booking sec, I'm afraid that sort of thing is pretty normal (We're all volunteers, and we get sick kids, or go on holiday, or get distracted ). And the booking form online, nice as it is, often doesn't work at all.

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 17:18

exactly, so I've left my details (inc EDD) and am awaiting the call.
will travel out of area anyway

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:20

What is your EDD? You could do an East London class, if you wanted ... not too good for making friends, though!

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:22

(Mention of EDD brings up my favourite confused conversation with pregnant ladies ... 'hello, I want to take a class' 'when are you due?' Which they mishear as 'what do you do?'. And either a) get affronted that the NCT is now so middle-class-only that we care about the mum's profession or b) say 'I'm a teacher', cue me getting very excited thinking I've been contacted by a new antenatal teacher.)

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 17:23

or for getting there every week! Thanks for the offer though - 21st Aug

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:24

Oh, ours are two-day intensives, so it's two Saturdays (sometimes a Sunday, sometimes a weekday). Canary Wharf. Oh, and associated evening BF class.

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:24

You should be ok with an August due date - you're not much over the 14 week thing, right? I'd think a booking secretary would be mad to take cheques from women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant, but I do hear of branches being full by then.

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 17:25

ooh
will consider if no joy locally - thanks again

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:25

Ok, I've not yet released June classes, haven't even got dates for July classes (which is where I'd put you). I know one of my teachers won't do July, I've got to ask the other, or did up an old teacher if the other won't do it.

Nockney · 07/03/2007 17:27

The other option would be those residential classes that come up when you search. You know, posh weekend away with antenatal classes.

MrsBadger · 07/03/2007 17:31

good lord I hadn't even heard of those
posh weekend away?
DH is going to love this...

Snarf02 · 07/03/2007 17:31

I thought the nct classes were fab, far better than the nhs antenatal ones. 5 of us out of teh 8 still meet up every wk with our babes

Nockney · 07/03/2007 18:06

Posh option . If you search for weekend antenatal classes, I'm sure there are others.

oxocube · 07/03/2007 18:11

I didn't think that much of NCT classes to be honest, and I am the 'airy fairy lentil weaving' type when it comes to having babies - 2 of my 3 were home births. I think they made a lot of women in my class (with DS1) feel they had failed because they ended up with hospitals and epidurals. And the classes never addressed the post baby issues which was my DH's big gripe

Loopymumsy · 07/03/2007 18:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

eemie · 07/03/2007 18:37

I agree with the consensus - our NCT classes were good socially (and we made friends who stayed friends), but medically very dodgy and out-of-date. There was a strong NCT 'ethos' which was sceptical of all professional medical involvement but hopelessly credulous when it came to 'alternative' therapies. There was too much emphasis on birth and not enough on the neonatal period.

The antenatal classes run by the local midwives and health visitors were excellent, fully up-to-date and covered infant care very well. They involved the fathers just as much as NCT. The class sizes were bigger, though - 12 or 14 couples rather than 5 or 6. They continued after the births with feeding, first aid and resuscitation, sleep problems and weaning. Still have friends from those classes as well. Well worth it imo and you may happen to meet the midwife who will deliver your dc (as I did).

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