I've signed up for both - I guess it can't hurt to meet other people in th same position as us. Remember that the NCT fees include a fee for 1 year's membership that isn't compulsory, also they do discounts if either your or partner are on benefits or have low income. You can pay by installments as long as you've paid up before the first class to help spread the cost.

My midwives adn GP both said that having spoken to me and DH we probably wouldn't get much from the NHS classes as they are pretty basic and we had read up about pregnancy/ birth already so I'm sure most of the ladies on here will know the basics already. That said it's always good to get a refresher!

If you'd really like NCT classes then get in touch with your local rep and see if they can help - also might be worth asking to be put on a late-notice list to fill up any cancellations they may have.

So glad you started this topic! Thankyou!

We have been offered antenatal classes on the nhs where we live but we're moving soon and knowing the area we're moving too i was starting to wonder a little how much we'd really get out of the classes there and how much we'd find in common with the other couples. I had heard someone briefly mention NCT classes before but never bothered to look in to it but having had a quick peek now i am feeling quite excited, they are £135 in my area and there are places still available for when i'm due, so i think i'll mention it to OH tonight and then register our interest online.

None of our friends are starting their families yet, bar one couple who live around 30 miles away, and so i am looking to get more out of the classes than just what they teach you (if you catch my drift) i think it would also be great for us to meet some other parents to be and forge some new friendships

I've booked myself into the NHS classes. My friend said that the NCT classes are basically the same as the free one but only a little bit more detailed.

xxx

We booked a place at our local NCT group when we were in first tri, £105 for 6x2 hour sessions which take place in the evening.

we are the first of our group of friends to start a family so we were looking to find couples who are more like us.

from what i understand the NCT ones include both partners to a greater level than the NHS ones and one of hubby's colleagues recommended the NCT classes as they have made really good friends there and they stay in touch as well.

We have booked the NCT classes, primarily to make friends locally who have children around the same age. I am going to a maternity dept that is not exactly local to me so I wouldn't expect to meet anyone who lives close by at the NHS classes.

Also, none of the midwives have mentioned these classes so I have no clue when the NHS ones run.

I have booked both.

When I went for our "group" booking appointment day, the head MW said we had to call up and leave details and we'd be sent a date for our NHS classes. By this time I had looked into NCT classes and mentioned to her we were likely to do those, which she was positive about. She said we should also do the NHS one, but just do the one day intensive course. I phoned, left details on a voicemail and we have now been sent an appointment for when I'm 32 weeks - it'll be 10-4 on a sunday, which is perfect for us.

I booked NCT classes when I was only about 9 weeks!! I think our area must be more expensive than most, because ours cost us £250 for 6x 3 hour sessions (18 hours in total). They are in the evening, so hubby can come from work and they start when I'm about 31 weeks.

The MW said we should do NHS ones, because we will be talked through how things happen at our own hospital and also shown around the ward etc...
We're ding NCT because I don't have any friends with babies really and so feel I would really like to meet other new mums and dads in our area, so we can support each other. I really hope to make friends at the classes as well as learning a lot.
I think I know a fair amount from reading, but hubby hasn't had time to read much, so I think attending the classes will be really good for him.

Well, after reading all the replies, I've gone straight out and booked us in for an NCT class. So, we now have a two-day NHS course and a three-day NCT course. All I need to do now is find out when our active birth and yoga-birth classes are running, and then we'll be sorted. (I am a bit of a course fiend - I love going on courses of all varieties.)

xx

In my area we just turn up for the NHS ones - though the last one in the batch my mw recommended is the week before my edd!

I'm not going to bother, though - I've found some better ones. I did look into NCT but they're 140 and they recommend you join too, for another 40. I can't afford so much really, though I did want to go to smaller classes with people probably more my age and meet people - I want a home water birth, so don't think finding out about epidurals is going to help (though of course I've read about them, just in case!).

I have gone to a couple of NCT homebirth meetings, which happen once a month - to share ideas/hear homebirth stories - and have got a free hire of their birthing pool sorted, which is good.

I've also decided that meeting people through NCT young mums coffee mornings etc is going to be just as good, and cheaper!

The better option for classes I found is a woman who does private classes - to keep costs down we meet at a different person's house each time, there were five couples last time, it's fortnightly and it costs £6 per couple each time. I like it bc people who would probably otherwise be going to NCT are there, so I feel an affinity with them, and a lot of them are also interested in homebirths.

There must be something like that in other areas - particularly cities, I would have thought. I just googled 'private ante natal classes' or similar.

Well i talked to OH about it and he thinks it's a great idea, and i've registered our interest for our most local class

It will be £135 for 8 sessions, starting when i am 29+5 and ending when i am 36+5 and i am really looking forward to it now!