We’re halfway through paying our direct debits for NCT classes. Baby due August, classes are June and July. We’re London so the cost is £304 - we can afford this but it’s not an insubstantial amount of cash and we could put this towards other things for baby/ML as I’ll be on SMP.
Just had an email today to say the class will be over Zoom. Tbh the main benefit for me was meeting the other couples and establishing a support network. Apparently we will all be put in touch with each other but I’m not sure it’s really the same (or something I couldn’t get via MN/Fb) with a view to a meet up after birth, although obviously this is dependent on not going back into lockdown etc. If we cancel 4 weeks before the classes start we get our money back less £30.
I feel relatively confident with the theory/info around birth and figure that £300 could pay for both a 1:1 lactation consultant session at home and a 1:1 sleep consultant session if needed afterwards.
Bearing in mind we were prepared to spend the money on NCT to start with though I don’t know if we should just press on? DH thinks it would be valuable but hasn’t done as much reading yet, and says he’d be happy to do the reading to save the £300 if the social aspect isn’t going to happen.
As someone who’s been on Zoom calls non stop for the last 2 weeks with colleagues I think it’s a useful tool but no substitute for F2F, especially when meeting new people and striking up rapport.
WWYD? Is £300 for a bunch of phone numbers and sitting in front of a screen too much? Or is it all worthwhile even with the change of format? Before this I was feeling really pro the idea of classes as a first time mum.