NCT Antenatal course

[KA19911]

Looking for opinions on the NCT antenatal course. Have heard mixed views.

I went on an in-person one just over three years ago. Not really much ‘new’ information, but reassuring and a chance to ask questions. Made some great friends though that really helped in the early days and I still meet up with some of them now :)

I've just started some in person ones - had my first session earlier in the week. I didn't really learn much from it but my husband got a lot from it.

It was nice to know that our worries / concerns were not unique.

It seems to depend on the teacher. Mine was brilliant but that was 14 years ago.

I enjoyed mine and met a really nice group of friends.

The ready made group of friends doing the same thing at the same time is invaluable.

Did one before DD16 was born. Agree, not much new information but made some lovely friends and still see most of them. I'd recommend it

Is anyone aware of free or cheap alternatives to NCT in central London besides the NHS antenatal classes? It's against my ethical code to "pay for making friends" since there seems to be a general consensus about the information provided not being worthwhile the time, money and commitment. Thanks

I thought it was worth doing. You really take the time to talk everything through as a group and it helps you think about things in more detail and bond with other course members.

You won't find free alternatives to classes. NHS often run classes, but these were no good for making friends IME, because at least in my area, there were too many people per session, plus only two sessions, so you have neither the intimacy of a small group, nor the benefit of regular contact. Those are the two things IME that makes friends.

But NCT used to run "bumps and babies" or "early days" coffee mornings which you just pay per session, I met a couple of mums there. Or you just find a local church hall type playgroup. Or look for sure start centres, baby cafés, basically anything orientated towards babies and toddlers. If you want to breastfeed, look for breastfeeding support groups, as they generally welcome pregnant women and tend to be full of mums with younger babies (as opposed to the toddler groups). It's not a bad idea to make friends with a mum of an older baby/toddler though, because they might pass you their hand me down clothes etc!

Or what about trying the mum-friend-finder apps? Mush and Peanut are two which come to mind. Look for local facebook groups aimed at mums or mums to be. Join your MN birth cohort thread - there are likely to be others in central London.

I did find the NCT info useful, BTW - so I do think it's worth paying for that aspect as well.

@Arivle I thought the NCT classes were useful. It's just that the friends you make are one of the best things about them - but not the only good thing. I wouldn't say they're a waste of money.

I didn't do NCT but we are going to lots of free groups at the local children's centre (we're in an outer London borough), & an infant feeding cafe for BFing support, & starting to build friendships through those. There is also a walking group of local mums which started via the Peanut app, & a Facebook group for local meet ups.
My main "mum friends" so far have been through reconnecting with acquaintances / friends of friends who had babies around the same time.

As far as I can tell that's the only way to make mum friends unless you already know people who are pregnant! I didn't do NCT but met them at baby massage, hartbeeps etc and then we all "knew" each other through different routes and made a little group- but i haven't made any friends through anything not paid for!

I found NCT really useful as a first time parent. Made a lovely group of friends who got me through the first year of parenting and who were invaluable at just getting it.

Was especially useful for my husband as it made space for him to actually think about the birth/postnatal period more than he would have otherwise. The information was balanced and fair, and I also accessed support through NCT when I was struggling with breastfeeding.

In terms of free classes, I’m not sure. But I did attend an NCT-run ‘Bumps and Babies’ which was free (more like a coffee morning/playgroup type event) and met some nice friends there too.

I found them really helpful as tbh my partner and I were pretty clueless about a lot of things!

Your local children's centre might have some free classes? Google or ask your midwife.

Thank you @BertieBotts for your reply. It's good to have options to make better informed decisions, I appreciate a lot your advice. :)

You made a really good point @blondie87 , including my partner it's also important. Thanks for the comment, it has opened my eyes to be more considerate towards him.

Bookmarking, mine start in October and I'm interested to see what people get from tue classes.
I'm the last in my friends group to have children so very keen to meet other new mums who aren't jaded (yet!) by school and teenagers!

We did NCT over the summer. The content was truly dire/old fashioned & if you know you are having a c-section, most of the course is irrelevant. The email handouts are a bunch of links to websites that any competent millennial/Gen Z could Google in 3 seconds.

Our group ended up 80% “unplanned” ELCS or EMCS so ultimately very poorly prepared for for what actually happened.

We did however make a lovely group of friends! Unless you want that aspect, it’s not worth the money.