Joining NCT or not

kettlefish

We went to the NCT classes and really enjoyed them. I have made some really good friends and we meet up with babies 2 or 3 times a month and are planning our first baby-free night out in next few weeks! The best part for us was the fact that the classes were run in 3 different locations in our city, so it ensures the people you meet are reasonably local (important for me as I don't drive - how's that for shattering the yummy mummy, "materialistic" image?!), unlike our NHS classes which are centrally run from our one and only hospital. I didn't get a place on the NHS course, incidentally.

I have also been to a couple of sales which were well organised. I am not an NCT member however as didn't think it'd be worth it, so just paid for the classes (£140 for 2 6-hour sessions) and entry to the sales (£1.50, members are free and get priority entry so bag the best bargains)

rpc

We did the antenatal course, which we thought was great. The support network you form with the other mums and dads (all of whom were "normal") was great.

They also have really good helplines if you need support. They are free to anyone, but having used the bf one a fair bit, we decided to resub once our intial year ran out just to support these. The early entry into sales is also really rather useful.

ms00skr

Hi all

THANKS for all the advice, as I work in healthcare I think I am going to research all the coffee mornings etc and see what antenatal classes I get on the NHS (think my trust do a few free ones).

I am quite new to the area so i agree that meeting other mums to be is vital for my mental wellbeing in the future and am really excited about meeting new people!!

Abbafan1972 - NCT is a chrity for parents, have a google.

Thanks again

ms00skr

Metranil_Vavin

Good luck ms00skr.

Make your own mind up about the NCT classes, making new friends is the most important thing whichever way you do it.

Mrs.W_2

ms00skr wrote: »

Hi all

THANKS for all the advice, as I work in healthcare I think I am going to research all the coffee mornings etc and see what antenatal classes I get on the NHS (think my trust do a few free ones).

I am quite new to the area so i agree that meeting other mums to be is vital for my mental wellbeing in the future and am really excited about meeting new people!!

Abbafan1972 - NCT is a chrity for parents, have a google.

Thanks again

ms00skr

The bit in bold is wonderful to see! I've met too many first time new mums who thought they did not need the companionship and support of others in the same situation; very independant professional women who thought, "I can do this then, in time, return to work. We'll have our family.. "

In the last week of my first pregnancy, my physio told me, "You really do live or die by the friendships you make in (pre-natal) classes." Very true.

EDIT: Am an idiot! I almost forgot to wish you excellent health and a smooth delivery of your beautiful baby.

madtrekker

I just did the basic ante natal classes offered by the midwives / health visitors at our local surgery. It was fine - basic, but fine.

In our town, the NCT have various groups (bumps and babies / toddlers etc) and you don't need to be a member to go to them. I've been attending these groups for a few years now, met lots of Mums, put a quid in the pot each week but have never felt pressurised to join the NCT.

Victoriahl

I couldn't think of anything worse than spending time with loads of new mummys, sat around in Starbucks all talking about what their baby is doing at this precise moment in time, or what mushed up fruit they're feeding them... BOOORING.
All baby rearing is common sense, and really not that complicated- I just used to say to myself when people spouted on about sterilising every little thing; "what do women in the jungle do?"

It got me through anyway...

dizziblonde

Our NHS antenatal classes were very very locally based (so one suburb of town level) rather than up at the hospital jobbies... I still, apart from being on nodding terms with one woman on the way around Tesco, have had no contact with anyone from there since they finished. I don't think I will have to be honest - what I had in terms of birth was such a traumatic and off the wall experience that the common ground I have with women who went in > pushed > got out is minimal.

However I do think that the attention paid in the classes we did to "unusual" births (things like forceps and the like) needs addressing badly, because I was stuck there, absolutely terrified, told my baby was coming 7 weeks early and without a clue how things would play out from then on in... even just knowing from classes that, "yes in this NHS area, a baby having difficulties will go from NNICU to transition care on a ward where you'll take over more and more of the baby's care, to being discharged once they can feed and gain weight" - just that one line accepting that not everyone gets to waft around in a birth pool with aromatherapy oils (although I WAS offered the aromatherapy midwife... at 8cm dilated... my response to this can be guessed I think) would have prepared me mentally so much more - instead of just passing the forceps around for people to cringe over.

Plus there's plenty of stuff going on in our local area anyway - for much less cost - just requires a spot of looking around to find out what's on offer.

BB1984

In my area, the NCT ante-natal class was £280. In theory we could have afforded it, but we decided that we were better off saving that money for something else. We've been going to the NHS classes, which have been great so far (I realise this could vary up and down the country!)

Several people told us "oh but NCT classes are so brilliant for making new friends"......well, not being funny but I feel that I am capable of making new friends without being forced together in a group and paying 300 quid for the privilege! I've looked at the website of our local SureStart centre, and there are loads of mums and babies groups, breastfeeding support etc in the area, all free or almost free, so I plan to go to some of those. Also I am lucky in that I have a friend nearby who is due 6 weeks before me.

Having said all that, if the NCT classes had been cheaper, we probably would have gone, just to get the information in a more personal way than the NHS classes, which are quite functional and a large group.

Anastasia

I met two mums recently who had just finished their NCT classes. They were glad that they had met new friends but felt they would have preferred to have a midwife teaching them.

Everyone thinks of NCT antenatal classes but there are also private midwife antenatal classes which are usually cheaper and you can make friends there. You can find them on the internet searching antenatal classes in your area.