Antenatal Classes NCT vs NHS

ttcbambino#1 · Feb 26th, 2010, 13:40 PM

Hi Ladies, just popping over from 2nd tri

I'm signing up for antenatal classes with NCT as I've heard nothing but good things about them and as we're newish to our area and don't have many friends with kids, I thought they'd be a good idea!

I've also been offered a place on parentcraft classes with the NHS. I only found out today and they start Monday

Me & hubby will still go on Monday, but I'm wondering if anyone has been to both and can tell me what, if any, we're the differences? Is it worth going to the NHS ones at all, it's only 3 sessions and hate turning down a freebie? The title 'parent craft' worries me slightly, will it be like the lessons they give teenagers in school??? Or will it be proper antenatal classes?

Thanks for any comments!

sophxx · Feb 26th, 2010, 13:51 PM

i didnt go to the parent craft classes as they stopped ours over christmas and then i had my nct classes!

ive heard mixed reviews about the ones at the hospital of the ladies on nct they said it just went over the same things but werent as personal! x

LankyDoodle · Feb 26th, 2010, 14:04 PM

I wasn't offered NHS ones and thought I would never be offered them. Our friends said to us that we should go to NCT instead as they were a better quality class and attracted people who actually wanted to be there.

I love the classes/content, but some of the people aren't to my taste. I wrote a reply to someone in 2nd tri a few weeks back about the content of our classes. I will try to find that and copy it here, as it was quite long. There are 8x2hr classes and it's well worth it.

The other day I received a letter from my MW saying I am invited to a series of 4 2 hour antenatal classes in my local town, and I am going to attend as it will give another perspective and another set of people to meet.

I meant to add as well that the antenatal class will be run by the 2 community midwives in my town. My MW has not been much good this pregnancy, but maybe the classes will be beneficial anyway.

JessiHD · Feb 26th, 2010, 14:08 PM

I had absolutely excellent Parentcraft classes and the instructors are usually NCT ones anyway. My hubby couldn't make all the classes so they let us go to a intensive one day course as well, that was really good because I could see what it was like with two different instructors (both lovely but slightly different approaches). It all depends on who you get as an instructor but it was parent led and they covered the topics we wanted. I'd go to the class and ask the instructor if there is any point booking an NCT class but I doubt it to be honest.

Anyway, I'd say that Parentcraft has really prepared me, feel so much less scared now and more aware of my options! Gosh, I'm turning into a parentcraft cheerleader.

Celesse · Feb 26th, 2010, 14:10 PM

I didn't get offered NHS classes, but got told early on that if I wanted them to ask the midwife. We did NCT weekend course. The content was very informative. The classes are expensive though, luckily we only had to pay £15 as we are on WTC.

Feb 26th, 2010, 13:40 PM	#1
ttcbambino#1 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: kent Posts: 696	Antenatal Classes NCT vs NHS Hi Ladies, just popping over from 2nd tri I'm signing up for antenatal classes with NCT as I've heard nothing but good things about them and as we're newish to our area and don't have many friends with kids, I thought they'd be a good idea! I've also been offered a place on parentcraft classes with the NHS. I only found out today and they start Monday Me & hubby will still go on Monday, but I'm wondering if anyone has been to both and can tell me what, if any, we're the differences? Is it worth going to the NHS ones at all, it's only 3 sessions and hate turning down a freebie? The title 'parent craft' worries me slightly, will it be like the lessons they give teenagers in school??? Or will it be proper antenatal classes? Thanks for any comments!

Status: Offline

Feb 26th, 2010, 13:51 PM	#2
sophxx Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6,505	i didnt go to the parent craft classes as they stopped ours over christmas and then i had my nct classes! ive heard mixed reviews about the ones at the hospital of the ladies on nct they said it just went over the same things but werent as personal! x

Status: Online

Feb 26th, 2010, 14:04 PM	#3
LankyDoodle Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Posts: 4,928	I wasn't offered NHS ones and thought I would never be offered them. Our friends said to us that we should go to NCT instead as they were a better quality class and attracted people who actually wanted to be there. I love the classes/content, but some of the people aren't to my taste. I wrote a reply to someone in 2nd tri a few weeks back about the content of our classes. I will try to find that and copy it here, as it was quite long. There are 8x2hr classes and it's well worth it. The other day I received a letter from my MW saying I am invited to a series of 4 2 hour antenatal classes in my local town, and I am going to attend as it will give another perspective and another set of people to meet. I meant to add as well that the antenatal class will be run by the 2 community midwives in my town. My MW has not been much good this pregnancy, but maybe the classes will be beneficial anyway.

Status: Offline

Feb 26th, 2010, 14:08 PM	#4
JessiHD Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands Posts: 1,201	I had absolutely excellent Parentcraft classes and the instructors are usually NCT ones anyway. My hubby couldn't make all the classes so they let us go to a intensive one day course as well, that was really good because I could see what it was like with two different instructors (both lovely but slightly different approaches). It all depends on who you get as an instructor but it was parent led and they covered the topics we wanted. I'd go to the class and ask the instructor if there is any point booking an NCT class but I doubt it to be honest. Anyway, I'd say that Parentcraft has really prepared me, feel so much less scared now and more aware of my options! Gosh, I'm turning into a parentcraft cheerleader.

Status: Offline

Feb 26th, 2010, 14:10 PM	#5
Celesse Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North East UK Posts: 5,498	I didn't get offered NHS classes, but got told early on that if I wanted them to ask the midwife. We did NCT weekend course. The content was very informative. The classes are expensive though, luckily we only had to pay £15 as we are on WTC.

Status: Offline

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