Antenatal classes - NHS and/or NCT

colsy · May 21st, 2009, 04:56 AM

Anybody booked on to both the free NHS antenatal classes *and* an NCT course? I asked in the Baby and Toddler forum whether anybody had done both types of class, but nobody responded

We are already booked on to our local NHS classes, but I just can't decide whether it's worth paying for some NCT classes as well. Any thoughts, anybody?

andbabymakes3 · May 21st, 2009, 05:06 AM

I am doing NCT rather than NHS - purely on my GP's recommendation...

In his words...'you may find you don't have much in common with the women in the NHS group in this area...'

He then went on to say NCT classes tended to be slightly older (ie 30's) and more suited to 'someone like me'. Not entirely sure what he was getting at...but I took his word for it.

I see the ante-natal classes as an opportunity to meet fellow mummies and hopefully make some friends who I can keep throughout this whole crazy experience.

My first class is on 15th June, so fingers crossed...

sparkle_1979 · May 21st, 2009, 05:08 AM

Ive not thought about either as been given no info on them. Will prob just do one NHS one thogh when the time comes...x

K477uk · May 21st, 2009, 05:21 AM

I've booked onto the NHS ones, but have looked into the NCT ones too. Personally I would rather spend the money on something esle, BUT if I don't think the NHS ones do everything that I want them to do, then I will prob book onto the NCT ones.

Snowy · May 21st, 2009, 05:36 AM

After much deliberation I have booked on to an NCT course, the first class being on the 16th August. The dates/timings were suitable, and I am hoping to have the opportunity to meet other mums to be in the area.

GersPrincess · May 21st, 2009, 05:43 AM

I did the NHS classes back in my first pregnancy, and they were awful. It was pretty much every couple in the area who were due within a 2 month period all shoved together. They told us the very basics, and I learnt nothing more than I could have done from reading a pregnancy magazine.

My step-mum on the other hand, had my sister 3 months before I had my son, and she did the NCT classes. She loved them, she made friends for life, who she had stuff in common with, and even though my sister is nearly 9 years old now, my step-mum still sees her NCT buddies all the time. They always see each other on kids' birthdays etc, and even though they all live in different areas now, they make the effort.

So I guess you dont just get to learn about what to expect, but you get to make friends for life too.

If I could have afforded them at the time, I would have done NCT for sure

firegal · May 21st, 2009, 05:51 AM

I'm doing NCT. They have a much smaller class size generally, and I've heard good things about then so we figured it was worth the cash. We're booked and confirmed. I have also sent off my form to apply for NHS classes but haven't heard anything back from them so have no idea if we'll get offered a place. I'm also undecided about whether I'll accept it..... I don't want them to talk too much about pain, pain relief, etc, as it contradicts the work I'll be doing with Hypnobirthing, but on the other hand if it's held in my hospital then we might pick up some useful info about the maternity ward....

Marg_27 · May 21st, 2009, 06:01 AM

how much are the nct 1s if u dnt mind me askin??

tinkabells · May 21st, 2009, 06:04 AM

I dont know how far gone im supposed to be when i'm supposed to book these, MW hasnt said anything and the class i thought i was attending a few weeks ago, was where people where trying to sell you stuff!!
So im completely lost!!! xxx

colsy · May 21st, 2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marg_27

how much are the nct 1s if u dnt mind me askin??

In my area, they're anything between 120 and 200 quid, depending on which course you go for. Have a look at their website for all the details: http://www.nct.org.uk/

May 21st, 2009, 04:56 AM	#1
colsy Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Derbyshire/South Yorkshire border, UK Posts: 1,695	Antenatal classes - NHS and/or NCT Anybody booked on to both the free NHS antenatal classes and an NCT course? I asked in the Baby and Toddler forum whether anybody had done both types of class, but nobody responded We are already booked on to our local NHS classes, but I just can't decide whether it's worth paying for some NCT classes as well. Any thoughts, anybody?

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:06 AM	#2
andbabymakes3 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southsea Posts: 1,681	I am doing NCT rather than NHS - purely on my GP's recommendation... In his words...'you may find you don't have much in common with the women in the NHS group in this area...' He then went on to say NCT classes tended to be slightly older (ie 30's) and more suited to 'someone like me'. Not entirely sure what he was getting at...but I took his word for it. I see the ante-natal classes as an opportunity to meet fellow mummies and hopefully make some friends who I can keep throughout this whole crazy experience. My first class is on 15th June, so fingers crossed...

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:08 AM	#3
sparkle_1979 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4,211	Ive not thought about either as been given no info on them. Will prob just do one NHS one thogh when the time comes...x

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:21 AM	#4
K477uk Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nottingham Posts: 1,842	I've booked onto the NHS ones, but have looked into the NCT ones too. Personally I would rather spend the money on something esle, BUT if I don't think the NHS ones do everything that I want them to do, then I will prob book onto the NCT ones.

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:36 AM	#5
Snowy Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Godalming, Surrey Posts: 214	After much deliberation I have booked on to an NCT course, the first class being on the 16th August. The dates/timings were suitable, and I am hoping to have the opportunity to meet other mums to be in the area.

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:43 AM	#6
GersPrincess Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,581	I did the NHS classes back in my first pregnancy, and they were awful. It was pretty much every couple in the area who were due within a 2 month period all shoved together. They told us the very basics, and I learnt nothing more than I could have done from reading a pregnancy magazine. My step-mum on the other hand, had my sister 3 months before I had my son, and she did the NCT classes. She loved them, she made friends for life, who she had stuff in common with, and even though my sister is nearly 9 years old now, my step-mum still sees her NCT buddies all the time. They always see each other on kids' birthdays etc, and even though they all live in different areas now, they make the effort. So I guess you dont just get to learn about what to expect, but you get to make friends for life too. If I could have afforded them at the time, I would have done NCT for sure

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 05:51 AM	#7
firegal Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,278	I'm doing NCT. They have a much smaller class size generally, and I've heard good things about then so we figured it was worth the cash. We're booked and confirmed. I have also sent off my form to apply for NHS classes but haven't heard anything back from them so have no idea if we'll get offered a place. I'm also undecided about whether I'll accept it..... I don't want them to talk too much about pain, pain relief, etc, as it contradicts the work I'll be doing with Hypnobirthing, but on the other hand if it's held in my hospital then we might pick up some useful info about the maternity ward....

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 06:01 AM	#8
Marg_27 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nottingham Posts: 2,561	how much are the nct 1s if u dnt mind me askin??

Status: Offline

May 21st, 2009, 06:04 AM	#9
tinkabells Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,088	I dont know how far gone im supposed to be when i'm supposed to book these, MW hasnt said anything and the class i thought i was attending a few weeks ago, was where people where trying to sell you stuff!! So im completely lost!!! xxx

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
Antenatal classes done and dusted, verdict Very happy but overwhelmed with info!	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
NHS antenatal classes	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
NHS Parentcraft / Antenatal Class	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
NCT or NHS Antenatal Classes?	Pregnancy - Second Trimester
NHS Antenatal Classes	Pregnancy - Second Trimester

User Name		Remember Me?
Password