NHS or NCT?

[LexieLoos]

Is there that big of a difference between the classes?
I’m not sure how to justify the cost of the NCT when the same thing is available with the NHS, but can see that a lot of people do - am I missing something?!

NHS class was rubbish in comparison and covered nothing about looking after a baby.

For learning about birth the positive birth company Digital Pack pack is great.

Nct goes over more weeks and covers more stuff. Nhs is very bare bones by comparison. You have more opportunity to make mum friends on the nct course and they encourage this.

My consultant told me that the main reason she recommended NCT was that it was the best way to buy some friends.

It's depends on your area, my NHS classes were great. We had 6 group antenatal classes timed alongside midwife appointments. We were also offered a free hypnobirthing course if we went to a certain unit for the birth but we wanted to go elsewhere, so I got the positive birth company hypnobirthing course too.

Completely agree with buying to make mummy friends on NCT. Don't know how I would have coped without the NCT WhatsApp group at 3am as a first time mum and 3 years on I still see some of them on a weekly basis for play dates

The friends thing didn't work for me as most of the other parents moved away or lived a long way away from me.

Pregnancy yoga is another way to meet local mums to be.

Our NHS classes were great but it was a small group with everyone around same age. Our babies are five months now and we meet up at least once a week.