NCT Antenatal Classes

[Queenie]

Hi all,

We're at the point of getting our antenatal classes booked and have been looking at NCT as there's not much done by the NHS here. The charge is £105 for 6 2hr classes covering the birth and first weeks with your baby.

Has anyone here ever done the NCT course, is it worth the money? No one we know has ever done it, our sisters both went NHS and had the basic 2hr "this is how you give birth, bye!" class. I'm very keen on doing it but I know DH is wary of it as I've heard it's quite interactive and he doesn't do participating in groups when he can possibly avoid it!

Just like to hear anyone's opinion who's done it of whether it was worth the money to you?

xxx

 

[florida sun]

Dont know the answer to this one Sophie, but just giving this a little bump for you

 

[Dimplenose]

I didn't do them myself, but I know a lot of people that do attend end up making very good friends with the other mums-to-be.

 

[joolz1910]

Hi there - I was lucky with my first as the NHS provided a pretty comprehensive (free) series of classes. I had friends who did the NCT classes and they had mixed reviews. In the absence of anything else, I would do the NCT classes as it can be a good way to meet other new mums. The women I met at my NHS classes are still close friends now and their support has been invaluable over the years - DD is 10 this year!

 

[aaronandterri]

hi
I actually used to help teach these, id say if you could afford it then go for it, it does depend a lot on the skill of the instructor but you will make friends as well which is always a bonus and they go into things like pain relief and breastfeeding a lot.

 

[fizz13]

I dont know if its much help to you but I did one 10 years ago! It was a little bit interactive but for my ex he actually got to make some good friends out of it too, and yes we were a tight knit group, it was more personal than a NHS one, I really enjoyed the whole experience and thought it was well worth the money. so it was all the physicals of what actually happens, but problem solving and discussion too, but if hubby doesnt want to talk then no one is going to make him.
The other thing is once you do the classes then you sort of end up getting involved with the NCT in your area which can be great if you are feeling a bit cut off as a mum, more groups to go to etc. It was a really positive experience for me.

 

[Zeebs]

yes yes yes yes yes, do it.....

Best thing I ever did. You make friends with people in exactly the same situation as you. You might think you have enough friends but you don't, you need these people (well I did anyway) cause they are dealing with all the same stuff you are.

I have a fabulous NCT group, our "babies" have just turned three, we still meet every Friday afternoon, there were 8 from the original group and we picked up a couple of others through other activities. We hire a hall so the kids have a great time, plenty of space to run around and we Mums sit and chat.

As far as the classes go they are quite helpful, but really nothing can really prepare you for the birth, but it does help to have an idea of what is going on. I found the class on breastfeeding quite helpful. But don't believe the rubbish they tell you that if you are doing it right it doesn't hurt. RUBBISH, I have sucessfully exclusively breastfed both my children to around 14 months. But blimey the first couple of weeks it was toe curling sore, but it does get better but it can take a while.

don't also buy into disposible knickers huge waste of money and so uncomfortable splash out £6.00 and get a pack of size bigger than you normally wear of "granny knickers" from M&S much more comfortable not much dearer.

I did the NHS classes as well, I missed the last class cause I was giving birth. Pretty much the same information as NCT classes but a bit more from a hospital side where NCT a bit more from a mothers side.

I can honestly say I don't think I would have survived the first year if it wasn't for my NCT friends, they understand because they are living it and doing it with kids the same age. Plus they have helpful suggestions of what might work as it is working for them.

Oh dear I seem to have gone on a bit. But I do feel really strongly about it. Yes it is expensive but I don't think you will regret it.

Out of the 8 original group I have only lost touch with 1 and I would class at least 3 in my best friends status....

Congratulations and if you have any questions happy to help.

OK to address your husbands concerns, there is a bit of group participation but not enough to put you off, I think everyone is worried about that sort of thing, but as someone else said if he doesn't want to say a word he doesn't need to, some people talk more than others and ask more questions.

Kirsten

 

[joolz1910]

yes yes yes yes yes, do it.....

Best thing I ever did. You make friends with people in exactly the same situation as you. You might think you have enough friends but you don't, you need these people (well I did anyway) cause they are dealing with all the same stuff you are.

I have a fabulous NCT group, our "babies" have just turned three, we still meet every Friday afternoon, there were 8 from the original group and we picked up a couple of others through other activities. We hire a hall so the kids have a great time, plenty of space to run around and we Mums sit and chat.

As far as the classes go they are quite helpful, but really nothing can really prepare you for the birth, but it does help to have an idea of what is going on. I found the class on breastfeeding quite helpful. But don't believe the rubbish they tell you that if you are doing it right it doesn't hurt. RUBBISH, I have sucessfully exclusively breastfed both my children to around 14 months. But blimey the first couple of weeks it was toe curling sore, but it does get better but it can take a while.

don't also buy into disposible knickers huge waste of money and so uncomfortable splash out £6.00 and get a pack of size bigger than you normally wear of "granny knickers" from M&S much more comfortable not much dearer.

I did the NHS classes as well, I missed the last class cause I was giving birth. Pretty much the same information as NCT classes but a bit more from a hospital side where NCT a bit more from a mothers side.

I can honestly say I don't think I would have survived the first year if it wasn't for my NCT friends, they understand because they are living it and doing it with kids the same age. Plus they have helpful suggestions of what might work as it is working for them.

Oh dear I seem to have gone on a bit. But I do feel really strongly about it. Yes it is expensive but I don't think you will regret it.

Out of the 8 original group I have only lost touch with 1 and I would class at least 3 in my best friends status....

Congratulations and if you have any questions happy to help.

OK to address your husbands concerns, there is a bit of group participation but not enough to put you off, I think everyone is worried about that sort of thing, but as someone else said if he doesn't want to say a word he doesn't need to, some people talk more than others and ask more questions.

Kirsten

Couldn't agree more. I have breastfed 3 (still feeding number 3) and it hurts for the first couple of weeks. Those disposable knickers are useless. Stock up on loads of maternity towels - they might resemble bricks but they are comfortable. Giving birth hurts like hell but I would go through it a thousand times to have my babies.

 

[Queenie]

Many thanks for all your thoughts, definately gonna go with it now. Just waiting for the paperwork to come through so we can sign up for our classes.