Any alternatives to NCT?

[Cheery145]

Hi everyone

My partner and I have made the mistake of faffing around so long in making a decision about whether or not to attend NCT classes (it’s our first baby but have had mixed reviews from friends) that we’ve now found they are fully booked in our area - Leeds - and so is the 4 hour alternative offered by our local hospital Trust. I’m 29 weeks so don’t have many options left.

Do any of you have any suggestions for alternatives to NCT where we’ll learn the basics and have the chance to socialise with other soon-to-be parents? I’ve read about options in London, but what about Leeds or near here?

Even online course suggestions are welcome if you this is impossible!

Many thanks in advance.

I didn't learn anything in NCT I couldn't have found out on mumsnet (stages of labour, how to manage early labour, what happens during a c section and a breastfeeding session basically). But I did make friends who were invaluable in the first few months, and to be honest some of them are my closest friends now. You couldn't get that with an online course.

Ask NCT to put you on the drop out list for your area.

Might be worth asking NCT if they can let you know of any drop-outs/ late availability

Hubbie and I were booked on a course. But due to pregnancy complications baby will be arriving mid-way through the course (eep). So we can't go. They've given us a full refund and are letting other parents-to-be know a space has opened up. :)

I thought our NCT classes were a complete waste of almost £500 so it wouldn't necessarily have been great for you.

My local children's centre does a range of pregnancy classes which are really reasonably priced. Also I downloaded the mush app and found this great.

Your just a little ahead of me - 25 weeks! I’m in Leeds and where I live in the city is about 20 mins drive from the nearest NCT class so it made the decision on whether to fork out for the classes for me!

Try googling your local children’s centre as that is where I’m off for my antenatal classes (not due to start til end of August so maybe other classes starting at a similar time have spots). I think there is one called Daisy Birthing that my midwife mentioned when I saw her yesterday but haven’t heard anything about it locally as of yet

You might want to look up a hypnobirthibg class in your area. My husband and I are doing that as an alternative to NCT.

It really isn't rocket science. I never did anything like this first time round and mine is still here😜

You'd be just as successful meeting other mums to be at prenatal yoga. Plus it's really relaxing and some good techniques for labour. You're allowed time out of work for yoga too, so don't worry if it's in work time.

Hi ladies thank you so much for your advice - really appreciated!!

I’ve put my name down on waiting list for NCT but it’s v reassuring to hear that I might not be missing out on too much (apart from the social aspect) and I love the other suggestions for hyponobirthing and yoga.

Big thanks again xx

Hi, I live in Leeds and went to pregnancy yoga on street lane which was great - some years ago now though! Second all the other suggestions too. Good luck !

Ask your midwife about Preparation for Birth & Beyond. It's an antenatal course run in Leeds by the health visitors and children centres.

hey I’m in leeds, google bumps&babes in leeds, they do a range of antenatal classes and postnatal classes run by two senior qualified midwives. they do antenatal education and post natal exercise classes, free buggy walks and post natal swimming too

We did a Wise Hippo Hypnobirthing course rather than NCT and can highly reccomend it if there is one local to you!