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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

NHS vs NCT ante natal classes

32 replies

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 12:10

Hi all

My husband and I have been chatting about ante natal classes. We did want to do the NCT classes as we heard good things. We ended up having a Harmony Test done which we had to pay for, so just wanted to get the views of others before the expense of booking on to them. How different did you find them to NHS classes? Would you recommend them?

I have friends that went to NHS classes and said that it was the mix of people there that they found strange. One couple was older, had been trying for a baby for a long time, and were sat next to a 17 year old and her friend who kept laughing at the word penis. I'm not slating young mum's but as a married couple who have wanted this baby for a long time, I would like to be around people in a similar sort of boat if we can.
This might help with making mummy friends as well. Other people have loved the free classes though. We don't have a fortune so booking on to the NCT ones would be a treat for us as parents, to start prepping.

What do you think? Was it worth it? Or were you happy with the free classes?

Hopefully I don't sound like a snob by asking.

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Stephisaur · 27/12/2018 12:13

I felt like I learnt more at my NCT yoga classes than I did at our NHS class.

I wish we’d paid for the NCT course, but the dates were inconvenient for us. I would do the NCT class.

CemetaryGates · 27/12/2018 12:17

I wish I had done the NCT course.

I just did NHS classes, and they were rubbish, didn't bother going to all of them as I didn't see the point.

8DaysAWeek · 27/12/2018 12:21

The NHS classes were fine. I was one of the youngest there at 26 incidentally. I missed one of the better classes which was a tour of the maternity wards due to sickness. That would have been good.

Not been to the NCT courses. I imagine they'd be better, but of course that comes with the cost.

calamariqueen · 27/12/2018 12:21

The NCT classes weren't that helpful in terms of learning parenting skills, but the people we met have been a fantastic support group & are now all very close friends. Not everyone's experience is the same, but I don't think I'd have got through the first year without their support! It's carried on being a great support now we're all back at work & dealing with juggling life. Great to have friends going through the same things as you at the same time.

le42 · 27/12/2018 12:24

I thought the nhs class was good. I would say I was one of the youngest there (28) but that could be because we are in london. I made friends at pregnancy yoga rather than at this class but content wise I found it good.

I could be being naive but sometimes I think there can be information overload... our class was 6 hours and that was plenty for us. My friend does nct which is about 20 hours - I think this would be too much for me and actually make me feel more anxious. But everyone is different 😊

Celebelly · 27/12/2018 12:25

I enjoyed our NHS classes. We were all around the same age and due basically within a week of each other, and we now have a WhatsApp group and plan to meet up for a coffee before the babies start arriving.

WildFlower2019 · 27/12/2018 12:26

IIRC, my local hospital doesn't even do classes! They're all online!!!!

E20mom · 27/12/2018 12:28

I did both. Mainly for my OH as I'm an ex medic, I can honestly say the NCT ones were a pile of crap.

Holidayshopping · 27/12/2018 12:31

My NHS classes were interesting. They were held in the mornings so DH didn’t come. It was about the practicalities of having a baby-what dinners can you cook whilst holding a baby etc! I was the oldest there by far at 25 and the only one married. Most had their partners with them-I don’t think any of them were working at the time. It was free and I was on ML and bored, so it suited me to go!

The NCT classes were in the evening and DH came. They were quite pricey and focused on breastfeeding, your own choices-ie if the doctor said they thought you should have x procedure, you should question them-what are the risks? What are the consequences? Etc lots about cloth nappies, giving birth at home etc

The info wasn’t anything I didn’t know as I’d read lots anyway, but I do wish there had been more about coping after a c/s (all of us ended up with CS!) and how to make up a bottle!!

I still see my NCT group though and it was a v good support network in the early days.

LetsSplashMummy · 27/12/2018 12:32

NCT is all about making a friendship group, you can do this at a post natal NCT group if your NHS group is too mixed.

I'm still in touch (7 years later) with most of my NHS group. I made closer friends through baby activities and classes though. I didn't do NCT as our local class had a very woo reputation.

Why don't you try the NHS class and see what it's like. If you can't imagine being friends, then look at NCT or done other prenatal class, like yoga. Good luck.

Cookit · 27/12/2018 12:33

NCT is just a way of making friends really, but it’s worth it just for that.

miggeldysthepres · 27/12/2018 12:35

Hello and congratulations. I did both so hope I can give a bit of insight.
Nhs- there were 4, the first on caring for baby was rubbish, really poor. The next was birth, which we thought was pretty good ( but they did omit something mega important). The other 2 we couldn't go to. The classes were huge, over 30 people, and a broad range of people. We had a reunion some time later and only 3 couples including us showed up, similar backgrounds. We have remained good friends but don't meet as often as we'd like.
Nct- took place over one weekend. There was the option of a weekly one which was full. 8 couples, all pretty similar. Found it much more comprehensive and a lot easier to ask questions ( I'm shy). They told us that in hospital you get no pain relief until you ask for it, it won't be offered, which was news to us. We found it very good. The weekend option was full on though. There was a seperate breastfeeding class the following week too which all came back for. Friends wise, a lot of us met up before and after the babies were born, after the reunion things didn't really continue, except for one very good friend I've made, I would go as far as saying she's my best friend now.
Another nct group I know all remained friends even after a year. This was the weekly one so I recommend getting on that one if possible.
So I'd say definitely go for nct, but don't rule out the nhs too.

miggeldysthepres · 27/12/2018 12:40

I would add that I think the best way to continue friendships is to go to other groups together once the babies are born

randomsabreuse · 27/12/2018 12:57

I'd only do nct if local to you - No point driving to the next town as the last thing you want is a long journey to see friends. Did the NHS one and it was ok. Nct had nothing within 20 miles so didn't bother.

Original poster

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 13:09

NCT do some fairly nearby - maybe 10 miles? But we head that way regularly anyway as we live in a little farmy town.
When do the NHS classes start? Somebody told me you need to book on to NCT at approx 16 weeks (next week for me!). Still torn!

OP posts:

MeOldChina · 27/12/2018 13:21

I found the NHS ones very good. Quite factual and sciency which I liked and I learned a lot about caring for a newborn. They weren't really that social though.

I met most of my mum friends by going to groups once my son was born. I think because you go to antenatal classes as a couple, people find it easier just to chat to their partners. When you go to baby groups its generally people on their own, with the sole aim to meet peope so it's easier to make conversation.

CrazyOldBagLady · 27/12/2018 13:39

The NCT ones were a lot more comprehensive and explained lots about the procedure of labour, the hormones and physical processes taking place, the various procedures that could be carried out, pain relief available etc. I felt less worried and more prepared once I'd completed the course. They also did baby care like bathing, feeding, bedding, and even had some slings to try out which was good. The people in our group were all great and we have continued to meet up and the women have a WhatsApp group so we can chat and support each other through various difficulties. I would definitely recommend you enroll if you are first time parents.

I only managed to get to one NHS group and it was ok but I felt it was aimed at the lowest common denominator and was quite simple. The delivery was a lot less professional, think someone at the front reading verbatim from a power point slide. The group was much larger and there was no interaction between the attendees. The information wasn't as comprehensive as the NCT as there wasn't as much time, but there was a bit about home safety that the NCT didn't cover. Some of that was obvious to most, but did make you aware of some hazards that you might not have considered.

StargazyDrifter · 27/12/2018 15:12

I'm in a similar position to you, OP. 12 weeks and pondering both. Also hesitant given the expense.

I recently submitted an online form to NCT asking for more info on the various ante-natal courses (it pops up if you're browsing on their webesite). Since then I've found NCT quite relentless. They've sent lots of emails along the lines of: 'we have provisionally booked you on X course, pay by Y date to secure your place'. The course is in May! Then if you don't reply you get a chaser the following week, even if still within their deadline. There is also some personal contact from the NCT lead in my area, again with a view to sellingz They have also taken the liberty of provisionally booking me onto the post-birth one in October or something, even though I didn't ask about that. All I wanted was a bit more info, no provisional bookings in mind at this stage.

I suppose they've got to make their money somehow, and will want to make are people aren't disappointed, but feeling all out of sorts and a bit lost as a first time parent-to-be I didn't appreciate their approach, especially without warning.

I think we'll probably end up doing both the NHS and NCT ones in the end, but NCT have a bit of a cloud over them in my tired and grumpy mind at the moment.

Original poster

gimmeadoughnut123 · 27/12/2018 15:35

Hmm ok. I'll chat to hubs, I think if we do NCT he will be able to come to all of them with me (and I know he will really want to go) but I'm not sure he could attend the NHS ones. Are they in the day on week days? He could always take leave I suppose.

OP posts:

Jackshouse · 27/12/2018 15:39

Reading other people’s experiences it seems NHS zones vary massively. My area had two nhs ones, breast feeding which focused on why it is good opppose to how to do it and covering any problems and one with a physio about birth positions and a bit of breathing.

MeOldChina · 27/12/2018 17:13

The NHS ones I attended were fortnightly at around 6pm at night

kiwiblue · 27/12/2018 17:15

We did NCT. Also had the issue that NHS ones were during working day. Our NCT ones were all in one weekend but it depends on area. I'd recommend NCT - we were all quite similar, and I made a couple of close friends who I still see.

bakingdemon · 27/12/2018 17:21

I did both. NHS ones were massive groups of 30+ so no chance of getting to know people - but it did finish with a tour of the delivery centre which we found v useful. NCT was 8 couples, much more detailed, much more time to ask questions, and we really liked the other couples. Our instructor was also fantastic in that she wasn't as woo-woo as NCT often has the reputation of being. I would do both if you have the option as the information you'll get given will be reinforced.

WellBHoise · 27/12/2018 17:25

Friends moved towns whilst pregnant and did NCT purely for the getting to know other people part. They’d also done the NHS courses before.

Couie · 27/12/2018 17:36

I've booked NCT because they are on a Sunday and the NHS ones were on a Thursday. Although they start at 5.30 it wasn't really ideal when we both need to travel from work. I want him to be there and don't want to go on my own. Most of my friends have used NCT and found them really helpful.

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