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Original poster

NCT Classes - worth it?

26 replies

ginandtonic1 · 26/05/2010 11:22

Hello,
lots of different opinions from friends, some say that the 8 sessions are worth their weight in gold- meet lots of new people, bonding experience with partner etc, others say just to stick to the free ones that you are invited to on the NHS. The NCP classes are nearly £200. Money is tight as it is, but if it's worth it then we'll do it. Anyone got any thoughts/ experiences?

Thanks as always.
Kx

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legallyblond · 26/05/2010 11:42

I have the same question. I have a place on my local NCT class open until tomorrow, when I have to pay or lose my place, and I just don't know what to do. That is a LOT of money or me at the moment (I can't actually afford it at all, but could use credit card..?) and I get 6 classes with the NHS....

legallyblond · 26/05/2010 11:43

Umm, a lot of money for mee... sorry!

legallyblond · 26/05/2010 11:43

Oh dear... spelling not going well today!

japhrimel · 26/05/2010 11:52

The NCT will help out if you really can't afford it as they're a charity that tries to make their services as accessible as possible. I know my course booking form came with info on payment options - you can pay in installments for example - and said to ask if you needed help paying for it.

Gillybean2010 · 26/05/2010 11:53

Hi! We're about half way through our NCT classes, and I can honestly say that so far they've been worth the money. Ours are quite informal, and workshop based learning which means that you do get to know the others in your class. We've really learnt alot of useful stuff over the last few weeks, so I'd give it a go

pollymere · 26/05/2010 12:14

I actually got my NCT classes free through the NHS but I am not sure if everywhere has this option (and my friends who paid were none too pleased!). I missed the chance to get onto the paid for ones ironically.

I think NCT classes are priceless. The NHS told me i would have to have my daughter lying on my back for medical reasons. The NCT helped me to work out a way I could have my daughter in a comfortable position, taught me how to use a TENS machine (invaluable, i hardly felt a thing in the early stages!), taught me relaxation etc etc. Usual NHS classes tell you how they bring the baby out using forceps and what drugs you need to have and what they will do WHEN you tear! Horrific stuff and it feels like the dark ages! If they are free NHS NCT classes then you won't need to pay for the others as they are the same but the usual NHS classes are actually worthless in my opinion (although I did learn about spinals...)

Songbird · 26/05/2010 12:22

Well my NHS classes were not from the dark ages. They were very positive and useful and supportive, and had a special session for the Dads (all of whom came to all the sessions). They invited a pregnant 4th time mum (who hadn't been to the other classes) especially to talk about when she'd had PND. We had one of the wonderful local physios in to talk about how to sit, get in and out of the car, best birthing positions for different problems. I couldn't fault them.

We also had a reunion when DD was about 8 weeks old, and it was great to see everyone again. I met some iffy people, and some wonderful people, one of which is my now best local friend. I laughed at the time at the thought of spending money on something I could get for free, and I still am a bit incredulous, but that's because there's no way we could have afforded it.

pollymere · 26/05/2010 13:14

your NHS classes sound a lot more switched on than mine Songbird! Luck of the draw I guess.

AS I said, I didn't pay for my NCT classes but they were the only ones that covered the sort of things you talk about.

SqueezyB · 26/05/2010 14:37

1st time round we did NHS classes - they were good in terms of getting info, but the class sizes were very big so it wasn't really easy to get to know other people. I did feel quite isolated after the birth of DD as I didn't have many friends with babies the same age, though I eventually met people through baby groups etc.

Now 38 weeks with no.2 and as we've recently moved to a new area I decided to treat myself to an NCT refresher course for 2nd time mums. It's been brilliant, a small informal group of 6 ladies(refresher courses are women only)and we were actively encouraged by the teacher to swap phone no.s/email addresses and meet up outside the classes. It's worked really well, we've all met up with our toddlers and plan to meet up regularly with the babies.

The NCT in this area is quite an active one, and through going to the classes I've found out about other events and groups too, it's been well worth it!

I would say if you want to meet people, it is worth doing the NCT. If you've already got friends with babies etc then the NHS classes will probably be enough.

SamanthaB123 · 26/05/2010 14:43

I've done NCT classes with each of my pregnancies - now on number three and have booked for later in the year. They were just brilliant, much better than the NHS ones in my experience. With my second pregnancy I wanted a more natural labour and I found that the information provided in the the NCT classes was exceptional. I also met really nice people many of whom I am still in touch with now. I am doing antenatal NCT yoga at the moment too which is lovely and relaxing!

Haggisfish · 26/05/2010 16:28

Definitely worth the money - my midwife care has been rubbish, to say the east, and if I hadn't been to NCT classes, I would be clueless about lots of things. See if they will give you a discount for low income. Remember, you don't have to become a member, so this usually knocks about £40 off prices.

PixieCake · 26/05/2010 16:43

What do you miss out on if you don't pay the membership fee? Trying to decide myself!

jkb1980 · 26/05/2010 17:08

We decided to go for our local NHS classes (Dundee) rather than NCT. I can honestly say we were very pleased with the NHS classes (3 consecutive Wednesday evenings lasting 2hr 15 mins each). There were about 8-10 couples. Lots of useful info from midwife and physio and plenty of opportunity to chat and ask questions. Glad we didn't pay extra for NCT classes as not sure how much more we would have got out of them.

Chesterado · 26/05/2010 17:09

We've just finished our course and I think if you can possibly afford it they are well worth the investment. Its been great to meet others in a similar position who live locally, learn more about the birth and the baby, but beyond everything else it has put me and DH on the same page in terms of preparing ourselves for what is to come and giving us both access to the same sensible and well presented information and a really good teacher. We were struggling before because I had read everything and had information overload and was getting stressed about the fact he only seemed to have a very basic grasp of things, so doing the classes together really worked for us.

Ineedsomesleep · 26/05/2010 17:12

Do the classes if you want to know more about labour, birth and the first few weeks with your new baby.

Don't do it just to make friends. Your group might not get on.

Having said that I know lots of people who have done them and still have really strong friendships years down the line.

If money is really tight then reductions are available if you are on benefits or a low income.

Ineedsomesleep · 26/05/2010 17:51

Forget to say, typically of me, that if it is friendship you are after then the NCT classes can be excellent.

Having said that I didn't attend any antenatal classes with my first DC due to illness.

I've still made loads of friends via the NCT though, through local groups that meet in our area.

Ask your local branch if they do any groups for like Parents-to-Be Evenings, Bumps & Babes or Open House. You can go to many events while you are still pregnant and you will have a ready made circle of support once your baby arrives. If there is nothing on locally, you could always ask about setting a local group up.

LLL and Baby Cafes are also good.

japhrimel · 26/05/2010 18:05

My local NCT also have a Working Bumps group which I've started going to - although I'm not working much atm due to sickness! It's really friendly and I think they have some good speakers. Last month they had a second hand maternity clothes sale where I got 2 tops for £4. Next month we're meeting the local homebirth rep to hear about homebirths and hypnobirthing.

Hevster · 26/05/2010 18:07

we did them last time round, as far as information went it was ok, but nothing you couldn't get elsewhere. However the friendships were worth every penny, all 5 couples are still in touch on a regular basis and during those early days I would have been stranded without my NCT friends.

pinkfizzle · 26/05/2010 18:11

Honestly spend the money doing something relaxing that you will not have time for after the birth.

You can join NCT groups after the birth.

Go to free NHS classes if you can.

Ineedsomesleep · 26/05/2010 18:17

Think the NHS classes seem to vary very much on where you live.

Where we lived when I had my first DC they gave, and still do, one 2 hour session with approximately 50 couples attending. Very difficult to get proper information in that time, let alone make friendships.

EvieBear · 26/05/2010 21:37

Best £250 I ever spent, I met some of the nicest girls and we have just spent a year together on mat leave, meeting up with the babies, going on walks, for coffee, emailing each other for support (esp at 2/3/4am when doing night feeds etc!!!!!)

Back to work soon, so sad it's all over

Ineedsomesleep · 27/05/2010 17:33

ginandtonic1 have you decided yet? Did you know that you can pay in instalments, provided you have paid the full amount by the time the course starts?

HelenaCC · 28/05/2010 17:09

Im signed up to NCT classes but have to say that it doesnt seem like an essential thing. Its a 'nice to have' if money isnt too tight but otherwise the NHS ones will no doubt say the same things. Make use of your free options on the NHS. Dont listen to other people justifying their £200 outlay saying how useful it was - whilst Im sure it was great for them, if you dont have the money then dont feel bad about it. Find better ways to spend your money that will really benefit you/your partner/ your baby (for example, for a 'bonding' experience with your partner why not treat yourselves to a nice evening out just the two of you whilst you still can without worrying about baby and baby sitters!?!) there are other useful things you can do too - read up on t'internet, get hold of some cheapy hypnobirthing CDs to help relax, maybe even cadge second hand knowledge off your friends who have already been to NCT classes?!

legallyblond · 28/05/2010 17:18

I have decided not to join... I looked into the NHS classes properly - max 10 couples and 3 2-hour sesssions + one 1-hour for mothers only re breastfeeding. That MUST be enough!

I also checked out NCT stuff post birth - there are two weekly drop-in coffee mornings in my area which are FREE so I think I will go to those and try to make friends that way....

Its a choice between spending that £230 on NCT classes or a full set of bumgenius reusable nappies - I'm going for the nappies and I can't afford both!!

Ineedsomesleep · 30/05/2010 19:18

*legallyblonde" if my NHS classes were that good I think I would make the same decision.

Are you able to go the the local NCT groups before you have the baby as well as after?

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