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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Is NCT worth the cost?

22 replies

Tinekittie2 · 22/02/2019 11:04

Hi all, FTM here and know literally no one with kids, family live an hour away and don't really know people where I live, so I'm thinking of doing the NCT essentials class mainly to meet other pregnant ladies.

But I'm not sure because of the cost. There's loads of other things I could spend £150 on. Is it worth it?

I guess I'm worried I don't need the information and may not not click with anyone at the class so would be money thrown away...

I'm going to one of the 6 hour NHS Saturday antenatal classes but for some reason they've booked me in a different city, so that won't help with meeting people.

Thank you for your comments in advance :)

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JoanneMumsnet · 22/02/2019 16:36

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Pregnancy topic at the OP's request.

gherkinpickle · 22/02/2019 17:13

I never did it, so probably not that helpful.
But if you don't know anyone with children and can afford it I'd say it^^ must be worth it.
My friends who have done it are always seeing their 'NCT mums' even years down the line.

Tobebythesea · 22/02/2019 17:20

Yes. It gives you a chance to meet people with babies of a similar age and people who are local to you.

Although I found the content of the classes too focused on the birth and not at all really about what you do when you get back from hospital (more helpful in my opinion) I’m glad i went.

Frustratedmummy79 · 22/02/2019 17:23

I did it and it was well worth the money just for the friends I made. The birth info was very idealistic so not really that useful.
Unfortunately it’s the luck of the draw as to whether you meet likeminded people though

Orangepear · 22/02/2019 17:27

I did the classes and met up with some of the group once afterwards but that was it. You meet people going to baby groups, weigh ins etc so I wish I'd saved my money.

abcriskringle · 22/02/2019 17:28

I enjoyed it, as did DH. Still meet up with the group regularly almost 2 years later.

rookiemere · 22/02/2019 17:32

Found that the classes were ok and the people nice but lived at the other side of town. What I did find helpful was that they ran a local coffee group thing once babies born. I met up much more with the ladies I met through NHS classes at our local doctors. Worth contacting them to see if they have anything

riddles26 · 22/02/2019 18:04

Best money ever spent for us but it is luck of the draw who you end up meeting. From speaking to others, worst case has been that you meet people that you go through the first year or so with then drift apart as you all start going back to work.

Ideal is that you make long term friends - we are very lucky that are still extremely close 2.5 years on with many of us had or having second children. We make a point to meet as families as well as just mums plus the dads have also had a few nights out together.

Classes themselves were fine but nothing that great and I found NHS classes covered everything with much less bias towards natural deliveries. Our NHS class was also one intense day and no opportunity to meet others though

Original poster

Tinekittie2 · 22/02/2019 18:21

Thank you all! Very helpful comments :)

OP posts:

Newyearsameoldshit · 22/02/2019 20:07

I didn't do the classes (decided it was too expensive), but did attend NCT coffee mornings (bumps and babies welcome) in my area and made some friends.

Also met some good friends at free classes provided by the children's centre where you go to get baby weighed.

Dreamzcancometrue · 22/02/2019 20:19

I went to a few NCT classes not so long ago and it was ok. But not something l would spend £150 on. Someone in the class set up a whatsapp group but people aren't really communicating as much. So personally I dont think it was a good investment of time and money.

annlee3817 · 22/02/2019 20:29

Different for everyone, I paid in installments for our course and for me it was well worth it, we're a bit crap at keeping in touch as a whole group four years on, but a few of them have become good friends and having a WhatsApp group in the early days when none of us were getting much sleep and could sound off to each other at 3am was amazing :)

Frangipane · 22/02/2019 20:36

My experience is historical (23 years ago) but I found the classes a bit intimidating and not all that practical. The classes (free) run by the hospital were more to the point, but a bit frightening for showing you the reality of a birthing experience. The people I met at NCT were snot compatible, very competitive women, living very competitive lives, not really my sort, though we met up for a few months after the births.

Personally, I made friends with one woman who was at both the NCT and hospital classes and another who I met during my stay in hospital. The best thing the NCT provided were the second-hand sales for which you do not need to be a member.

Kirstiesmith1234 · 22/02/2019 20:38

We did a NCT course. It was great, we still all meet up and the babies all play together. It's a great way of making mum and dad friends, before becoming mum and dad 😀

GinMama1 · 22/02/2019 20:42

We found the classes quite helpful but meeting people was the key thing! Definitely worth it IMO, local baby friends are essential to keep you sane.

Thegirlwithnousername · 22/02/2019 20:44

I never done it with my DS and made lots of new friends attending free classes or cheap classes in the local area.
My D'S is now 3 and still meet up once a month or so with the under 1s group.

FenellaMaxwell · 22/02/2019 20:46

The classes were awful, but 2 years later, I see the other mums all the time, they’re the best!

HeartvsHead · 22/02/2019 20:52

Best money I ever spent. Over two years on we still meet up most weeks, have been on holiday together and starting to welcome second babies!

The info was mostly useful but think it does depend on the teacher you get to some extent. The main thing was being able to answer any question you wanted without feeling silly.

prozacgirl · 22/02/2019 21:32

Nope. I felt very let down by the whole experience - I think I expected too much! I think it's hard forcing yourself to go out etc first time around and perhaps it was good that I had a few people to text and see although after the first year it really petered out.

Newbuild · 22/02/2019 21:37

Biggest waste of time and money for me. We met once post babies and that was it. Also felt like I massively failed when my birth went tits up and I couldn’t bf.

Giraffetower · 22/02/2019 21:45

Everyone I know who did NCT became temporarily obsessed with their cult NCT buddies.

Forward-wind 9 years and none of them keep in contact.

One of my good mates even admitted to sitting next to her "super-best buddy" from NCT at a recent sports event and it took them 2 hours before they realised....

Best guess:- if you value peer support, you will find it rewarding but ultimately fleeting. If you don't, you will find it expensive.

Wherehaveiputmywine · 22/02/2019 22:04

I did NCT classes 10 years ago, as I moved whilst pregnant with first child, and the local NHS classes were fully booked. Class was informative and helpful, even running through people that would be in theatre with you if you needed a CS. 12 couples on course and we all kept in touch for 1st year, then some dropped away, but 10 yrs later and moves overseas, about 6 couples still keep in touch.
After the birth, the NCT set up a coffee with different mums who had babies within 6 months of each other. This was really useful to compare notes and suggestions/solutions. Still in touch with 3 of those mums.
The drop in breast feeding clinics were amazing as well. My experience was very positive.

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