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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Crying because I can't book on any nct courses

23 replies

Efferlunt · 29/08/2017 12:10

I've left it too late of course, I'm 31 weeks now, and feeling really pathetic but why am I always such a disorganised idiot? I am not sure why this has upset me so much. I seriously need a grip

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

drinkyourmilk · 29/08/2017 12:12

My nct group are nice, but we haven't clicked the way my hypnobirthing group did. Maybe try to see if you can get on your NHS hypnobirthing course.

SpringtoSummer · 29/08/2017 12:14

They sometimes have postnatal ones too so you could see about one of those instead for the social side and look to see what NHS ones you have locally for the actual useful info? Our NHS ran hynobirthing ones that sounded great but you had to pay for them and I had already paid up for the NCT one so couldn't do both.

liquidrevolution · 29/08/2017 12:16

I didnt bother. My hospital did classes. Is that an option?

Are you upset because its your first baby and you hve no idea what to do or did you want to meet friends? I made friends using the local childrens centre (sadly now closed).

Temporaryanonymity · 29/08/2017 12:16

Don't worry. I was the same. I gatecrashed a group and they welcomed me in. I met lots of new parents at baby groups and some I liked, some I didnt. There will be lots of people who either couldnt book on or couldnt afford to.

HopeAndJoy16 · 29/08/2017 12:19

You don't get nhs hypnobirthing groups everywhere but most trusts will offer some sort of antenatal class, or be able to recommend a local provider.
Honestly don't worry about it though if it's the social side you're worried about missing out on. I didn't do NCT classes and have still met plenty of new mums through baby and breastfeeding groups.

OohLookASquirrel · 29/08/2017 12:20

We only went to two of our NCT classes as it really wasn't for us. Don't panic: any advice you need you can get on here and you can easily make new mum friends in sites such as Mush or Peanut.

Good luck and take care of yourself

plantsitter · 29/08/2017 12:24

It has upset you because you're 31 weeks pregnant. You can always join an NCT tea group before or after the birth. Ring your local coordinator for a chat.

Original poster

Efferlunt · 29/08/2017 12:24

Thank you everyone that's cheered me up. Will look into there postnatal classes. I really don't know why this has hit me so hard. I've been so busy I'd sort of forgot that my life is going to change completely in nine weeks. I've got primary aged kids and I'be forgotten everything about playgroups and sleep deprivation and poo. Very daunting to go back there.

OP posts:

CaptWentworth · 29/08/2017 12:24

We didn't do any DS happy and thriving at 4 months. To be honest, they sound like the inner circle of hell to me

Original poster

Efferlunt · 29/08/2017 12:27

Will try the local coordinator too. Need to get my backside in gear with this baby! I'm just feeling very hormonal at the moment!

OP posts:

confused123456 · 29/08/2017 12:28

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I refused to go as I didn't need to.

toastedbeagle · 29/08/2017 12:30

I found NCT friends helpful with my first baby as a whole new world as you say... but they were quite scattered geographically and in the end I've stayed friends with more mums from local playgroups .

If you have already experienced labour, breast feeding etc I would t bother with NCT.

In my area there was an "early weeks" course that the health visitors ran ? Could see if one locally?

Wanderingbluebell · 29/08/2017 12:34

Try a pregnancy yoga class? I met quite a few nice mums that way.

JennyOnAPlate · 29/08/2017 12:38

Why do you need to do an nct course if this isn't your first baby?

EssentialHummus · 29/08/2017 12:45

YY to pregnancy yoga/anything similar.

Content-wise the NHS antenatal course I attended was MUCH better than NCT. Frankly, even the biscuits were better. Socially I do enjoy the company of my NCT group, but it was genuinely a case of paying £230 for some phone numbers in my case. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

PinkHippo1 · 29/08/2017 13:56

I did exactly the same as you and left it too late to book on NCT classes. This was only at 20 weeks and I couldn't believe the classes were full already. I'm usually very organised so was quite annoyed at myself. When I thought about it rationally however, I realised I would get a lot of good information from the NHS classes, and I also found a Daisy birthing class which wasn't booked up, so managed to sign myself and DH up for that. Also, I have found there are several new mum support groups near me for after the baby is here, so missing out on NCT doesn't seem like so much of a loss now ( and it saved me £350!!!)

mayhew · 29/08/2017 14:08

I wouldn't worry about a class if you are already a mum. Save your money! All those first timers would probably be irritating anyway. Spend the money on yourself, that's my advice...haircut and pedicure in the last month, maybe a massage.

If you feel like doing some revision, NHS Choices and NCT websites are good to look at.

mummabubs · 29/08/2017 14:49

Panic not! I looked into NCT and actively decided against it- extortionately priced at £250 for two annoyingly long sessions and the info I've been told is exactly the same as the free NHS course (which I booked onto at 31 weeks, I'm 35 weeks now!) I also decided to book some sessions with Daisy birthing instead (they're UK wide and MUCH cheaper than NCT for labour prep classes, I paid £65 for six sessions and I've already met some lovely mums through that). Personally I think NCT classes are massively overrated and you'll still get all the info/meet lovely people through much cheaper means! It's definitely not the only or best option! 😊

OhTheRoses · 29/08/2017 15:00

I wouldn't worry. I booked on them w2 years ago. The hospital ones started before the NCT ones when I was 27 weeks and lasted for six weeks. The NCT ones had a wait list and they squeezed me in for six flexible sessions starting at 36 weeks. Went to one and though eek this really isn't for me. The lady and group were quite, well organic is a good way of putting it. Became academic because baby came at 36.3 - 8 hours, no stitches although he was posterior!! They hadn't paid my cheque in and the lady said she'd tear it up!

Not everyone's cup of tea and I couldn't have seen myself hanging out with that group.

TheLegendOfBeans · 29/08/2017 15:03

Respectfully, don't bother. Especially as you already have children.

Save your pennies and do the NHS sessions.

Spend your pennies on something like postnatal yoga or fitness classes after baby is here should you need to have "new baby mum friends". X

TheCumbrian · 29/08/2017 15:15

There is no NCT even in my county

NotIdiotProof · 29/08/2017 15:17

I don't even see my NCT group anymore and there's honestly no info they tell you which you can't find elsewhere :)

Make an effort to go to groups etc post baby and you'll make friends :)

GoodMorning1 · 29/08/2017 15:22

Can you ask to go on a waiting list in case they have cancellations?

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