NCT - worth it?

[MoJangles]

Hoping more experienced Mumsnetters can help me!

Been looking forward to NCT classes, mainly to meet other mums to be in my area, but surprised by how shambolic it all seems to be. No evening-only classes (I work full time) so after some grumping I've booked onto a part evening, part daytime class (and written hefty cheque). Then the organiser told me that the dates have changed from the published ones with all the Monday classes now on Tuesdays, so I've ended up with work clashes. Dark thoughts about the teacher changing the days as suddenly realised wants to take DC to ballet or something, despite having advertised completely different ones. Other things like the evening class now follows straight on from the all-day class make me think that no-one's thinking it through.

Now I'm wondering if I've just shelled out almost £200 to be driven mad in an unprofessional coffee club rather than helped with useful info and meeting future friends - would really welcome others experiences of NCT!

I think it must vary from branch to branch. My course seems very well organised - I've got my times and locations and instructor names already and had a choice of daytime intensive classes or classes spread out over evenings and weekends (with just one session during the day with the breastfeeding counsellor).

The NCT classes were recommended to me by a few friends and family too.

I'm hoping for the best - so far the booking process has been really organised.

Am also mainly doing it to meet people in the same boat since I've just moved to a new area and I've never not worked so being at home all day is going to drive me stir crazy if I don't have someone to talk to at least some of the time!

Organisation has been a bit hit and miss in mine too (haven't started going yet). A muddle over which course I was registered on and some other stuff I won't bore you with.

The thing is it is a charity, run by volunteers (I think) in their spare time. I agree that it is v expensive but I've been trying not to look at myself as a customer, but as someone using a charity service. By all accounts the contacts you make there will be invaluable later on, but you could always look at other options if the disorganisation is driving you batty.

Yes !!!!!

Provided you're prepared to put in a bit of effort you will have half a dozen new friends for life

My NCT friends were (and still are) a real god-send, especially in those tricky early days. Having a baby can be incredibly isolating and having that support network will bring you much needed laughter, tears, joy, fun & companionship.

I wasn't impressed by the local NCT. Is run as a private members club here, and god help you if you want a class! Even offered to organise coffee mornings and get invovled otherwise, but had negative responses.

That said I did an alternative antenatal course with my first and made great friends. Nothing like being first time mums as a bonding exprience!