I know some of you were considering so I thought it might be useful to share my experience! I can't compare to NHS as I haven't been to one and I'm obviously not saying all NCT classes are like this, although I'd expect them to be similar.

- Only 4 couples so got to know everyone really well.
- All first time mums and dads.
- All live around the same area.
- All around 30s so at similar point in life - lots in common.
- Course was tailored to our needs and we discussed what we wanted to.
- Had a ladies only session which was very frank.
- Was in a lovely little church room - not a big hall or a hospital room - good atmosphere (lots of tea and biccies lol)
- Lots of stuff to try out and see (some of us said we were interested in reusable nappies and birth balls and she bought diff. ones for us to try).
- Really nice approachable and friendly teacher who had kids of her own - we also had a BF teacher, another NCT lady and midwife visitors and contacts.
- Lots of handouts and leaflets as follow up and lots of extra stuff communicated by email etc.


I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND them

I finally got mine booked yesterday. Really looking forward to it and glad to hear how good they are.

Sounds similar to ours, we really got a lot out of it too

Us girls carried on meeting up once a week after the classes too for coffee and chat, it's really nice talking face to face with people in the same position as you. There's even talk of forming a baby sitting circle amongst us to help one another out.

I started mine 2 weeks ago and I think they're great. Really look forward to going. We've got 8 couples but its a really nice group of people and the lady leading the group is very responsive to what we want to know about.

I also haven't done any NHS ones so can't compare but I think the NCT ones are well worth the money.

Mine have been great too. A really friendly atmosphere and very individualised to the needs of the people there. We have the last one this week so am hoping that we can keep meeting up afterewads as it would be nice to have the extra support from people in the same poistion. I think the classes are well worth the money, and they are good for husbands / partners too.

We do them too. I think it's very expensive tbh (we pay £230) and I think that in terms of practical birthing stuff we have done lots of reading and could get info from the NHS for free.

However, we both really enjoy them and we went along really with the aim of meeting other people locally like us. We live on a very popular park and the classes are based on the park and we will all, no doubt, be in the park with our prams afterwards. The others are really nice. I agree, as well, that it's especially good for the fathers - I think my husband particularly likes being involved so much and meeting the other fathers etc. I also feel like it brings us closer together. Obviously we do loads together, being married, but during the week he has his football and I meet girlfriends for knitting and cake type stuff - but this is like an evening class where we learn together and I really like that. He said the other day that he realised that we're already 3 people and in that room (of 5 couples) there were actually 15 of us (plus the NCT leader).

It's a nice experience and if you can afford it I would recommend it. It is a luxury though rather than a necessity I think.

Silly question but what's NCT? I have to go to one on Monday thats called parentcraft. I presume that an nhs one? Do u pay for NCT?

NCT - National Childbirth Trust. It's a charitable organisation set up to help through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. They offer antenatal and postnatal courses. Check out their website - they have local branches all over the country. They also do awesome nct sales (for clothes, equipment and toys) went to one today and was bowled over at the amount of stuff that was there. All great quality - nearly new and very very cheap!!! There was a queue out the door of the hall, lucky i'm a member of the nct now (having been on the antenatal course and signed up) and got in 20min before non members - bought loads for bubs!!

Thanks for this threads/these posts. We start our NCT classes on 25th (which I'm a bit worried is a bit late as I'll be 35 weeks by then) and I'd been wondering how valuable or not they'd be so it's really useful to hear this positive feedback.