Antenatal classes nhs, not or other

[Mrslouu]

Does anyone have any recommendations for ante natal classes, is it necessary to do additional ones, ie in addition to the nhs. First pregnancy.

Thank you for your advice.

We did NCT but that was more about meeting other parents to be. Definitely worth while as meant we had lots of people to meet up with when on maternity leave. Nearly two years on, we still chat daily on the group WhatsApp chat. I think we did six sessions and definitely learnt a lot although it's pricey it was absolutely worth it.
We also tried the NHS antenatal class but it wasn't very good at all. This will obviously vary at each hospital as I've heard good things in other places. It was basically everything crammed into a two hour class, then an additional breastfeeding class which I decided not to attend as I found the first class so useless. The only benefit of the NHS class for me was it meant we got a tour of the midwife led unit, although I needed inducing in the end so ended up elsewhere.

My nhs ones were fab

I also did hypobirthinf by the positive birth company (£39) and it was amazing.

Has anyone got any experience of how the NCT classes have been during lockdown? I'm not due until July but I'm worried about the fact that video classes (if we're still stuck on video which I suspect we will be ) won't build the same social connection and bond. How did you guys find them? Did you wind up becoming friends with the parents anyway and supporting each other? We've just moved to a new area a month ago so I was really relying on NCT as a way to meet other people to be honest.

I decided not to do NCT since I thought the price was extortionate for video classes.

I'd recommend doing NCT even if it's just video. Meeting a group of local parents with due dates similar to yours is invaluable. I met my group just before COVID hit and we have chatted every day on WhatsApp. We've all agreed the support you receive for all eventualities has been worth the money 10 times over.
It's been lovely when we have physically met up but 90% of support has been over text.
The content of the course was ok but it has been the support of the group since which has been the most important thing.
If the NHS one also links a group together I'd say it would be just as good...Good luck!

@purplesofachair @LouisLitt @notalwaysalondoner

Thanks for your replies. I booked on the free nhs ones then spoke to a lady at work and booked on Nct the next day. My colleague said the nct is excellent for building support network and the breast feeding class with an expert. I think if it’s remote then they discount some money but the networks still get set up; online chat and what’s app etc. It’s our first and as slightly older parents I am looking forward to meeting other mums locally.

Look up baby academy - they have a free baby care class and also a breastfeeding class :)