Should I join the NCT for the first time even though this is baby no3?

[bobsmum]

I'm hoping for another normal delivery after I had a VBAC with dd.

This time I'm going to ask to be in the m/w unit as last time I had to have CFM etc in the higher risk unit.

As I can't have an epidural in the m/w unit, I'm wondering whether "proper" antenatal classes would help (ie not the NHS hour or so I had years ago with ds).

I've never had "real" detailed advice on breathing/relaxation/natural labour etc and as long as baby no3 doesn't mind being a guinea pig, I'm hoping that this time round I'll be more confident in myself etc etc. and be able to have a birth with as little intervention as possible.

Anyway! What are NCT classes like for birth preparation etc? Dh will need persuading that they're worth the money! Or will I learn anything new at all? Or is there an alternative?

Good luck with everything Bobsmum

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Bobsmum

I take it you are signed up to the ukvbachbac yahoo chat site? It has a wealth of information.

One very last thing, I always felt that I would kick myself if I hadn't pursued every avenue and ended up with a section because of that, cross every t, dot every i and if you do end up being sliced open again then you know that you did everything that you could have done

Oooh - that sounds promising Pruners!

I think there's a doula in the next village to me. So you can get a doula to do just antenatal stuff? Or does it need to be the whole birth thing? Can't really afford to be forking out wads of cash at this stage, but a few visits might be ideal.

This thread is being so helpful - thanks everyone so far

boogaloo - that's exactly how I feel

Not signed up to the Yahoo group - but will have a nose - thanks

Hey Bobsmum - I know one of the Babygurus and she is not at all pretentious, blardy expensive thou'

I used the NCT in Stirling with number 2 and they were great for meeting people not much cop on the how to actually give birth bit thou'. Glasgow would I think be a better bet for active birthing type stuff TBH.

Gomez - prices start at £500 for a weekend at Mar Hall

I'm still searching for stuff in Glasgow, but just getting nothing but bluddy yoga!!

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Aye I knew she wasn't cheap. Had another friend consider a weekend at Gleneagles with her then decided to keep them money for a tummy tuck afterwards if needs be .

Keeping hunting - was there nothing on UK Doula. I could (probably) get you contact details for the NCT Teacher up this way if you get really stuck. She is a practising midwife too and very good on BF support. Good luck on your search.

Found UK Doula site - there's a recognised doula (with a gold star!) in the west end who sounds great. Bet she's a mumsnetter

Didn't realised doulas were so flexible - this might be the way forward, assuming the budget says yes.

Good, good.

Even better - found a trainee - she's way cheap (but very classy I'm sure )

sorry not read whole thread
I am an NCT teacher (nearly qualified ) and I would suggest you phone your local branch and see if you can join a refresher group or if someone will do a one-to-one tailored to your needs. A standard NCT class will not be really right for you imo.

Bumping for daytime suggestions

Hi all,

My sis also found a brill antenatal class via NCT - they might be able to offer support where you need it??

I'd say call them and see for yourself. Tell them exactly what you want and see if they can offer it to you.

Here is their contact number - See bottom of link that i've provided here:

www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/145566/Will-I-be-supported-

Also if you have 2 littlen's that have out grown their clothes, you might be able to sell them via NCT, or buy nearly new baby clothes for next to nothing - which you can't go wrong by.

Mand

Bobsmum

Iwent to NCT classes for DD1 but then had such a large gap between DD1 and DS2 that i decided to go again for a number of reasons including that although DS2 was my 2nd he was dh's first and i thought he would benefit aswell. In your case i think a one off one to one with an NCT antenatalteacher would be best 4 you if they are provided locally as it can then be geared to exactly what you want.

I am involved in my local NCT and we would charge around £30ish for a 2-3hour 1-1 like this.

You do not need to join the NCT in order to attend any classes so just call them and see what they can provide.

Hope this helps

We went on a refresher with other non-PFB parents (interestingly we were cacking it a bit because we'd had a stillbirth the previous year and didn't want to be the miserable ones that everyone avoided) and it was wonderful. Turned out we all had various reasons for about 4 years between 1st child and this one and it was a really great mutually supportive class.
But, we knew the NCT teacher of old and knew she'd be a godsend, and she was

I joined NCT when expecting my fourth baby as I had a 9yr gap. The classes were v small, just three couples. The other two couples were first timers but not PFB people so it was fine and I learnt a lot.

The social aspect was really good as all of my friends at the time were well past the baby stage. I'm still in touch with people I met via NCT, 11yrs on.

Not sure what a PFB is, but I was first timer with NCT recently in Glasgow - we had condensed weekend (better IMO, actually remembered more!). At the start, teacher asked what topics people wanted covered, so does cover what you want it to. Also was v social, we've all kept in touch. The info/advice was good re movements, relaxation (movements again, only one visualisation so not 'spiritual') and breathing... but in the end I couldn't use them as had induction due to low amniotic fluid and had to lie on side/back otherwise cord compressed. But NCT info gave me lots of confidence in fighting off standard 'over dates' induction and asking for monitoring; at least then I knew there was a valid reason for my induction.

I did a refresher course for no. 2. I found it really worthwhile. Alot of the course was about dealing with 2 children, things you would change second time round, and facing it all over again if you had problems last time. Everyone I met there was really nice, although it is more difficult to keep in contact as we are all at different stages with our PFB's.

You might get a bit bored with other people stressing about having 2 if you are onto number 3, but you might also find it fun being the font of wisdom.

Another point is that the NCT have VBAC specialists. Maybe you could chat on the phone to one of them and they could advise you on courses?

I did hypnobirthing CD's and Birthlight Yoga. I am very practical and not that spiritual really but found that the Birthlight yoga was very practical and really helpful when I had symphsis pubic dysfunction, they gave me the same but much more detailed advice as the physio gave me which really helped me from needing crutches to walk and when the birth came I had a pain free drug free birth. The hypnosis doesn't necessarily mean a pain free birth but is essentially about relaxing the body and mind during birth to enable ones own natural endorphins /painkillers to kick in so that less or no pain relief is needed. The CD's helped with relaxing and sleeping during pregnancy. The yoga was also great for the pelvic floor. Both are really about relaxing the mind, breathing and visualising a positive birth and not at all anything to be worried about.

I did NCT Refresher for no 2, was great, very useful info re relaxing, breathing and coping with 2. Met lots of mums and we still try and meet up each week months later.

But even better was hypnobirthing which we also did for no 2. We did a course over 2 weekend + plus used the cd we got almost every night to fall asleep to. I never felt i got the hang of breathing until labour and then something worked cos I had a pain free drug free birth. It was amazing can't recommend it enough.

bobsmum i'm in stirling and on the committee for central scotland branch nct. our branch do refresher courses for 2nd / 3rd / etc time mums. just a one night meeting of about 2 hours. max 4 couples and you very much address the issues you want to.

ja9 - so I may well bump into you after all at some point (was mcmudda along time ago too )

mcmudda!! thought you'd disappeared into oblivion! you coming to our nearly new sale next sat?