Joining NCT or not

ms00skr

Hi

I am 13 weeks pregnant and looking into joining NCT. It seems a bit expensive though and I'm not sure if it's worth it as having worked in maternity briefly in the past I feel like I understand a few bits and bobs.

Could anyone give me advice on whether its worth it?

Thanks

ms00skr

Mrs.W_2

My local NCT is all a bit alpha female! Aside from that, I found it not so much about the basic knowledge, but making friends and building support systems.:)

All I can say is that in the first few post-natal months (with no grandparent support) those friends were important.

Leopardlady

I chose not to join our local one due to cost, but as I then did not get any ante natal classes or any other options to meet other mums to be, i have not got many local friends and did find the first few weeks / months quite lonely.

A few friends who live in other areas did join theirs and found they have made some very good friends and they have all gone through those first few weeks going through the same things and having each other to talk to.

If i am successful in getting pg with number two then I will join the nct group here this time round.

Good luck and congrats with you pg

Nicki

I don't think you actually have to join to use the NCT though. You certainly don't in my area, as all the activities are open to members and non members but at different prices.

I didn't join, but did use to attend coffee mornings once a week which was a fun way to meet new mums. They cost £1 for non members, and were free to members.

I also about 13 years ago when expecting my first child did the NCT antenatal classes and can't remember whether I had to join for that or not, but didn't do any other activities afterwards as at that point there wasn't an active group locally. The class was not as good as the hospital class in my opinion but it might depend on who takes them, as our hospital midwife was fab.

SqueekyMouse

Nicki wrote: »

I don't think you actually have to join to use the NCT though. You certainly don't in my area, as all the activities are open to members and non members but at different prices.

Same in my area too.


IMO joining NCT seemed a bit pricy for what you got.

Also regarding the antenatal classes - I looked into NCT ones but found out they were given by women who had just attended a course, but had no medical background. Instead I found a local group run by 2 midwives (one retired, one working part time) who were able to provide more of a sense of what to expect due to their wealth of experience. I would suggest looking to see if you can find something similar if you feel this is important to you

grey_lady

NCT is great for making friends in a similar situation - its not just about the ante-natal classes.

They have things like bumps/babies groups and coffee mornings, walks, sales, - they will be militant about BF (probably) but you will get to make friends who are in the same boat as you. You'll get feedback about local nurseries/schools, all the local mother and baby activities.

MrsManda

I think it generally depends on what you want from them. I haven't bothered joining my local one because they seem really disorganised and I don't want the expense.
There are 3 children's/sure start centres within a few miles of my home and they all offer bump to baby groups, baby massage, stay and play etc... and most of the things are completely free so I go there.

dondo

As other posters have said you don't need to join to do the classes etc. We didn't bother joining but did the ante natal classes which were good- not least that we have made some great friends that we still see nearly 6 years on

shell_girl

I'm planning on going to a NCT sale tomorrow, but I'm not a member. Does anyone know if this matters?

SUESMITH_2

shell_girl wrote: »

I'm planning on going to a NCT sale tomorrow, but I'm not a member. Does anyone know if this matters?

doesn't matter in the least, when i used to help organise them we liked getting non members in as it meant more people to buy our stuff.

i joined nct and really enjoyed my time doing things with our local group - got to meet people who are still friends nearly 20 years on. i knew very few people when i had my son and it was a lifesaver to me

Sunny_spell

shell_girl wrote: »

I'm planning on going to a NCT sale tomorrow, but I'm not a member. Does anyone know if this matters?

It doesn't matter, you just have to pay entrance fee. Also if you contact them in advance before sales and offer you help (again you don't have to be a member) to sort out toys/clothes before/during/after sale (you will be given a time slot to help) then you will be able to enter sale before public buyers (usually 30 min prior to sales). You might have a good chance of getting lots of bargains before it gets very busy.