NCT classes - are they worth it?

[peanuthead]

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?

Had 2 weekend antenatal classes booked but only did the first as dd came one month early. However, worth it for the meeting of other mums in your area, you do feel supported. Would have preferred a course of evening classes tbh but not available. Funnily enough none of the mums`in our group had natural births in the end, I would have loved one but as dd was prem ended up haing an emerg c-section. Would also have loved to meet slightly more like-minded i.e. natural parenting mums, lovely though the ladies are...

I would say that all the factual info you want you can get from Expecting which is 'antenatal classes in a book' IMO and from go to whoa! I think there's a new postnatal/the first year book due out soon too. Or from Babycentre (same person behind both).

BUT, IMO, what classes give you that the books don't is

• the chance to meet others at the same stage of pregnancy who often go on to be friends afterwards

• the chance to discuss things with your partner that he perhaps wouldn't discuss so readily if they hadn't alreayd been raised in class

• your partner the chance to discuss things with others

Unfortunately for some parents, private classes of some sort are all that is available Whilst the NCT will do reduced price/free classes, as a charity it can't afford to pick up the tab for what the NHS fails to provide. And I'm not sure how many of the other companies which are run on a commercial basis are willing to discount class prices.

hi peanuthead

All nct events are open to non-members, you don't have to join but will be supporting the work of the charity if you do join and if anybody is on benefits they can join for £1 per year.

One of the benefits of joining is that you should receive your local branch's newsletter which is usually full of local info and great articles.

If anybody wants to go on an NCT course and is struggling with the fee, contact your local course booking person anyway, all branches should offer some help towards it or even free places.

Going back to the antenatal courses, never made it to any with my 1st as was so ill with low blood pressure. Luckily had one mw with me the whole time and she was great and I did what came naturally, with her help of course!

Am thinking of doing an NCT refresher this time, has anybody else been to one of these?

Also, thinking of doing a 1 day NHS one, but not sure about either yet. Will have to get a move on though as they seem to be filling up pretty quick!

really glad i did NCT classes - they cost £100, the teacher was great and really helped us to understand every possible scenario for birth and not to feel guilty whatever happened in the end. The bf session (with different teacher) wasn't so great, quite confusing and guilt-inducing but the other classes more than made up for it. Made some great friends from the class too..
have even volunteered to become local booking sec! All the best