Do i really need to pay for NCT classes if i've been to NHS ones?

[Lucky13]

Hi,

I'm just trying to decide whether or not to pay the £140 for the NCT antenatal classes or not?

I've already been to NHS ones which i thought were good (didn't know that before i applied for NCT) and more importantly i'm having a C/S so all of the labout info will be pretty irrelevant.

Also my DH won't go with me cos he went to the NHS ones.

I haven't got a lot of money at the mo, so £140 is rather a lot if its of no use.

I've paid up to be a member of NCT, so i could always do the meet ups etc later.

ANy thoughts?

If you've already been, i personally dont see a point in going again. As you said, you can do the meet ups later.

Save your money!

Don't bother if you don't feel you need to.

I only did the NHS ones and don't feel I was any less prepared than my friends who did NCT.

Save the money and spend it on lovely baby things instead

Although you can do the meet ups through being a member, you'll be meeting up with people at all stages - they may have a 2 yr old whereas you have a newborn etc. IMHO, it's better to attend the classes because if you meet up with your group afterwards, you'll all be at the same stage going through the same thing. There were no NHS classes in my area and although the NCT classes were not that useful, the people I met were really nice and we have all stayed in touch and supported eachother. You'll all be on maternity leave at the same time etc.

Meant to add, depends on if you are in an area where you know lots of people, friends and family etc or if you would like to meet others

I wouldn't bother with the classes if you've already done the NHS ones and are having a c-section. The main reason is to meet people as you say...

But i think the NCT also does pg meet ups so she could meet up with people who are also pg. My local one meets up for a pg meal every month and also has other meet ups for people at various stages of parenting.

RG - good point. Maybe a good idea to find out what your branch offers as they offer quite different things in different areas.

i only did nhs ones. mistake as it turned out as i was woefully ignorant, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for you for planned cs. i went to local nct meet ups, never joined or was asked to. save your money!

in answer to the OP.

No.