NCT Antenatal Classes

[LittleAmy]

Has anyone attended NCT antenetal classes before?

I begin mine tonight. I'm excited and wondering what to expect?

We did NCT classes with DS who is now 2.1. I didn't actually learn too much from them (and I am not a medical person) but mainly joined to meet a group of peer mums, and that is why most of the people in my group joined.

So if you can make an effort and get meeting up before and after you have the babies it can be fantastic. We all still see each other, have regular mums nights out, couples nights out and summer/christmas/birthday parties, and now some second babies are making an appearance too.

I know 5 other people who have attended different NCT classes and they have all come away with a peer support group for afterwards, but of course it takes some effort at the start to get to know each other, and hopefully there won't be huge personality clashes (we range in age from 29 - 40 in my group so age isn't much of a factor as you are all going through the same thing)!

Good luck!

I enjoyed mine, thought it was well worth the time and money. Best of all almost three years later still in touch with the other girls in the group.

The only thing I can think of I would have changed, is that a lot of emphasis was put on staying at home for most of early labour, that it would likely be a lengthy process. That dilation would be something like one cm per hour. In the event I left it a bit late getting to hospital. And I dilated the last 5 cm in half an hour.
So what they teach are average experiences only, you might be different.
It was a pity I got to the hospital very late, as by the time I got there I was in a lot of pain and could not really ask for what I had wanted, such as a try of the birth pool.

Also with regards to breastfeeding, they like to tell you not to use bottles too in the first few weeks. And theoretically I agree, but I had the unfortunate combination of a very hungry baby and my milk was about four days coming in.
So again you might be different from the norm (sleepy baby and three days until milk comes as far as I could tell!)

but yes all in all nct worth every penny, especially if you are wanting to make friends as that is most peoples primary objective.

As Crumblequeen said - our babies are about 19 montsh odl now.

Helped me understand what the pain control options were; helped me undertsand what might happen and why; and prepared me for teh CS i didn;t want! We did a roel paly of what woudl happen for a CS - and got about 12 peoople in the scene. Bizarrely I was the "mother" although I really didn;t want a CS. When I eneded up having an emergency one, at least I knew why all these peopl were there.

Anyway, I thought it was money well spent. So much so, that I am now co-chair of our local branch!

Thanks everyone! It sounds very interesting - particularly the social aspect!

Do couples attend these classes? I'm taking hubby and I'm hoping there will be men there so he doesn't feel awkward.

All couples at ours, even the men have had a curry night out on their own, although it took 18 months and we had to arrange it for them!

Wow that sounds great crumblequeen!

What is the average age of couples attending NCT classes?

My advice would be to do the NHS classes as well as the NCT ones.

NCT classes are great for meeting friends, 'natural' birthing stuff - visualisation etc., discussing feelings and emotions about becoming a parent etc. but they don't go into much detail about the practicalities of having a baby.

Although I didn't meet anyone at my NHS classes (prob just unlucky, they all seemed a bit odd) it was good to be shown stuff like how to change a nappy, what forceps look like etc.

Make sure you go to the NCT nearly new sales too. As a member you'll get in early, and save a fortune on baby clothes, toys and equipment.