Antenatal Classes - NCT specifically.
Poll: Antenatal Classes - NCT specifically.
Total Members Polled: 72
Discussion
With reference to Glassmans post in the subject of Antenatal education I'm specifically interested on peoples views of the NCT classes.
This is our 1st on the way (IVF too!!)
I'm one of 6 so have a good idea about which end things go in and come out etc, not too fussed about making any new friends/colleagues either (wouldn't hurt though I suppose) we also have decent support of family close by. Good friend of the Mrs who's a health visitor too so she's clued up on kids stuff.
It's only 130 quid but that could buy something equally useless, but more fun. Also the IVF has already cost 4.5k so we'd rather not spend any more on the litle sod just yet
Please vote and comment, cheers all
This is our 1st on the way (IVF too!!)
I'm one of 6 so have a good idea about which end things go in and come out etc, not too fussed about making any new friends/colleagues either (wouldn't hurt though I suppose) we also have decent support of family close by. Good friend of the Mrs who's a health visitor too so she's clued up on kids stuff.
It's only 130 quid but that could buy something equally useless, but more fun. Also the IVF has already cost 4.5k so we'd rather not spend any more on the litle sod just yet
Please vote and comment, cheers all
Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 14th September 11:31
Well, I managed to bring my three into the world without the need for any ante-natal classes. Honestly, how did everyone manage before?? Plenty of books to read/plans to make/advise to take but every labour is different as is every woman's experience of it and every pre-conceived notion just goes out the window and you get on with it.
You have great support as it is so personally I wouldn't bother - just enjoy the pregancy and be as supportive as you can at the labour - you will of course be berated for being useless and not having a clue but hey! it's all worth while when that babby is in your arms!
You have great support as it is so personally I wouldn't bother - just enjoy the pregancy and be as supportive as you can at the labour - you will of course be berated for being useless and not having a clue but hey! it's all worth while when that babby is in your arms!
I've slso managed three without feeling the need to attend classes, still clubbing with first at 7 days overdue, laying a patio and moving a fridge freezer at eight months pregnant with second, and having a pulmonary embolism at eight and half months with third... This was all whilst working a 60 hour week. Just get on with it.
Classes are for gayers.
Classes are for gayers.
Well worth it in my opinion. Always a good supply of bourbon creams and met a lot of people we're now very good friends with. Can't remember any of it mind you.
We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
gifdy said:
Well worth it in my opinion. Always a good supply of bourbon creams and met a lot of people we're now very good friends with. Can't remember any of it mind you.
We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
How on earth did she manage to eat lunch wrapped in all that cotton wool?We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
Gretchen said:
gifdy said:
Well worth it in my opinion. Always a good supply of bourbon creams and met a lot of people we're now very good friends with. Can't remember any of it mind you.
We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
How on earth did she manage to eat lunch wrapped in all that cotton wool?We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
There were many complications with the pregnancy and the support network was very valuable. Our families are in North Scotland.
Now go play with some traffic
gifdy said:
Gretchen said:
gifdy said:
Well worth it in my opinion. Always a good supply of bourbon creams and met a lot of people we're now very good friends with. Can't remember any of it mind you.
We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
How on earth did she manage to eat lunch wrapped in all that cotton wool?We moved here only a year before and the classes were a great way of getting hooked into the local community. The missus is out pretty much everyday 'doing lunch' or some such.
There were many complications with the pregnancy and the support network was very valuable. Our families are in North Scotland.
Now go play with some traffic
Mine weren't the greatest either, let's think Polyhydramnios for one, Pulmonary Embolism for me, one child didn't breathe independently for 13 minutes at birth, another born with Congenital Hypothyroidism, to name a few. Oh, and I do this on my own now.
I'm glad you found support through the classes, some choose religion, I don't believe in that either, each to their own. I don't have a problem with that. I am happy without these things, and wish you and your family well. Take care x
Edited by Gretchen on Sunday 14th September 12:52
I did an NCT antenatal class before my first and found them a useful of making friends and I am still in contact with the other people even though we moved out of the area.
I looked at doing the course again with number 2 (6 weeks old) but the course with the local area branch was a one day class which seemed a bit odd and not particulary a good way to get to know people so I did a physical prep course via NHS which I found just as useful (they didn't have anything as good at the local NHS with number 1).
Check what your local surgery/health centre do and compare it to the NCT classes.
Also, if you live on the border between two NCT areas, check the differences between them.
I must admit that the area we live in now seem to have far more to offer with regards ante- and post-natal classes and home birth options than some other areas.
Hope everything goes well.
I looked at doing the course again with number 2 (6 weeks old) but the course with the local area branch was a one day class which seemed a bit odd and not particulary a good way to get to know people so I did a physical prep course via NHS which I found just as useful (they didn't have anything as good at the local NHS with number 1).
Check what your local surgery/health centre do and compare it to the NCT classes.
Also, if you live on the border between two NCT areas, check the differences between them.
I must admit that the area we live in now seem to have far more to offer with regards ante- and post-natal classes and home birth options than some other areas.
Hope everything goes well.
Highly recommend NCT. You are grouped up with parents due about the same time as you (give or take a few days) and its nice meeting people and talking to them going thru exactly the same thing as you at the same time. You are also by and large live quite close together as well.
Now that spydersingh jr is now 3m, we all still meet up, the mums do their coffees/lunches and the dads go out for the occasional bender. It was good to meet a couple of PH'ers on my NCT group as well!
Childcare and baby stuff is a continually evolving game, so its nice to find out about new nurseries/classes/etc as you go on. Bringing up baby can also be hard work despite how much experience you may have with others kids. Other kids you can give back, with your own you have to go thru the rough and the smooth!
On the whole, well worth it!
BTW as far as antenatal advice goes, the Hospital stuff is usually done in big classes and quite easy to forget. The NCT stuff is small groups (6 couples in ours) and will approach the pregnancy/birth/baby from a more "natural" perspective. Some agree with it 100%, some don't, but its always good to hear some different advice!
BTW Pt 2: The Breast feeding class is very funny!
Now that spydersingh jr is now 3m, we all still meet up, the mums do their coffees/lunches and the dads go out for the occasional bender. It was good to meet a couple of PH'ers on my NCT group as well!
Childcare and baby stuff is a continually evolving game, so its nice to find out about new nurseries/classes/etc as you go on. Bringing up baby can also be hard work despite how much experience you may have with others kids. Other kids you can give back, with your own you have to go thru the rough and the smooth!
On the whole, well worth it!
BTW as far as antenatal advice goes, the Hospital stuff is usually done in big classes and quite easy to forget. The NCT stuff is small groups (6 couples in ours) and will approach the pregnancy/birth/baby from a more "natural" perspective. Some agree with it 100%, some don't, but its always good to hear some different advice!
BTW Pt 2: The Breast feeding class is very funny!
In our area, the good old NHS gave us a 2-hour session to cover everything, which was nice of them. So the NCT classes were invaluable for finding out what to expect. We went into it slightly sceptical, having heard that NCT were breast-feeding Nazis and held very strong views on many areas - however nothing could have been further from the truth.
And yes, the breast feeding class was hilarious. A dozen intelligent adults entirely unable to keep a straight face whilst a middle-aged woman tried to explain the basics using a purple knitted jumbly.
And yes, the breast feeding class was hilarious. A dozen intelligent adults entirely unable to keep a straight face whilst a middle-aged woman tried to explain the basics using a purple knitted jumbly.
In all fairness....
We went to NCT , more for the socila side of things ,as you meet quality couples who you can do the new mum thing with after the second major event!
Mind it will remind you haw much youve forgotten since year 3 Biology !!
NCT also has a bit of a rep within the NHS as "To proud to push "" lol
worth going !
We went to NCT , more for the socila side of things ,as you meet quality couples who you can do the new mum thing with after the second major event!
Mind it will remind you haw much youve forgotten since year 3 Biology !!
NCT also has a bit of a rep within the NHS as "To proud to push "" lol
worth going !
I went to one - horrendous. Pushy little madam running it and gormless people attending.
One conversation:
Q If we want to have our baby in the birthing pool, can we do that?
A No, the birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But what if we want the baby born in the pool?
A As I've just mentioned, the birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But we actually want to have our baby in the pool.
A The birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But our last baby, born in Blackpool, was born in the pool.
Me: Well why not go back to Blackpool then?
Silence.
We did not make any friends.
Result.
One conversation:
Q If we want to have our baby in the birthing pool, can we do that?
A No, the birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But what if we want the baby born in the pool?
A As I've just mentioned, the birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But we actually want to have our baby in the pool.
A The birthing pool at this hospital is for pain relief only, you have the baby outside the pool.
Q But our last baby, born in Blackpool, was born in the pool.
Me: Well why not go back to Blackpool then?
Silence.
We did not make any friends.
Result.
I have had two children and have never attended any classes, in fairness though I wasn't able to give birth to either of my children naturally, although I didn't know this prior to going into labour.
The biggest difference I found in the two births was the midwife, first birth, young girl who had not given birth herself....awful experience, she wouldn't listen to what I had to say, how I felt etc etc, nearly cost me and my child our lives. Second time around, went into labour 6 weeks early, midwife in her 50s, three children of her owm, fantastic, listened to my concerns both before and after giving birth and despite having a second emergeny c section, it felt like she was in control of the whole situation all of the time, she was also brilliant at helping me breast feed in the way I wanted to...expressed via a pump early on, as I knew I was returning to work.
The biggest difference I found in the two births was the midwife, first birth, young girl who had not given birth herself....awful experience, she wouldn't listen to what I had to say, how I felt etc etc, nearly cost me and my child our lives. Second time around, went into labour 6 weeks early, midwife in her 50s, three children of her owm, fantastic, listened to my concerns both before and after giving birth and despite having a second emergeny c section, it felt like she was in control of the whole situation all of the time, she was also brilliant at helping me breast feed in the way I wanted to...expressed via a pump early on, as I knew I was returning to work.
My wife is a consultant paediatrician. She spent many years at Queen Charlotte's going to hundreds of deliveries. Back then, she thought the NCT is the most ridiculous outfit. At best it encouraged people to have unrealistic expectations of their birth (mothers wanting everything "au naturel" before reality kicks in and they are screaming for pain relief whilst feeling guilty). At worst it was downright dangerous (mothers resisting important medical advice designed to protect thier baby because it falls outside the "birthing plan").
Don't know whether the NCT has changed (or whether my wife's opinion of them has).
Don't know whether the NCT has changed (or whether my wife's opinion of them has).
AstonZagato said:
My wife is a consultant paediatrician. She spent many years at Queen Charlotte's going to hundreds of deliveries. Back then, she thought the NCT is the most ridiculous outfit. At best it encouraged people to have unrealistic expectations of their birth (mothers wanting everything "au naturel" before reality kicks in and they are screaming for pain relief whilst feeling guilty). At worst it was downright dangerous (mothers resisting important medical advice designed to protect thier baby because it falls outside the "birthing plan").
Don't know whether the NCT has changed (or whether my wife's opinion of them has).
I suspect it varies from area to area. Certainly the lady who took our classes was very balanced. It really was a case of explaining all the options and encouraging you to think about it beforehand. There was no bias towards 'au naturel' and they made a point of making sure you didn't feel guilty if you didn't choose to breast feeding for example. They also explained that you shouldn't be bullied into doing things you didn't want to for the convenience of the mid-wife but the birth plan would probably go to pot. Don't know whether the NCT has changed (or whether my wife's opinion of them has).
Her husband was a ( now our ) consultant paediatrician so I don't know if we were particularly lucky.
I am on my local NCT Commitee.
I didnt do the NCT Antenatel classes before I had my first as I hadnt heard of them!
So it was the NHS for me which I must say were very good.
However I have had the oppertunity to "support" the NCT classes and found the information gained so much more usefel to the new parents to be. The classes are a relaxed affair with both partners taking an active role. They are a great oppertunity to build a support network once your baby is born. The classes cover a wide range of topics and go into alot more depth than the NHS ones.
We do promote breast feeding but understand that its not for everyone and we can give practical help and advise for different methods of feeding your child.
We provide information on pain relief so our parents can make their own choices. We do not insist women must endure labour with no pain relief! We simply ensure that you all all the infornmation you need or might need and we offer our support both prior, during and after the birth of your child.
I think the NCT do a wonderful job and alot of us are voulenters (sp?) Your Antenatel and breastfeeding teachers are highly trained.
I didnt do the NCT Antenatel classes before I had my first as I hadnt heard of them!
So it was the NHS for me which I must say were very good.
However I have had the oppertunity to "support" the NCT classes and found the information gained so much more usefel to the new parents to be. The classes are a relaxed affair with both partners taking an active role. They are a great oppertunity to build a support network once your baby is born. The classes cover a wide range of topics and go into alot more depth than the NHS ones.
We do promote breast feeding but understand that its not for everyone and we can give practical help and advise for different methods of feeding your child.
We provide information on pain relief so our parents can make their own choices. We do not insist women must endure labour with no pain relief! We simply ensure that you all all the infornmation you need or might need and we offer our support both prior, during and after the birth of your child.
I think the NCT do a wonderful job and alot of us are voulenters (sp?) Your Antenatel and breastfeeding teachers are highly trained.
Our NCT classes were good. Gave us a bit of a social life just before and after SBaby was born, which was nice - although we didn't stay in touch with the others in the end because I don't have time to go to coffee mornings three times a week. 
We gave the NHS ones a go too - didn't get much out of those and left the course before it finished. They were very "nuts and bolts", "this is how a baby is born" - and of course, it was quite a mixed bag of people, from young girls to older women. Not all chavs, but some!
The NCT classes were much more balanced in terms of subject matter. They looked at things like where to get assistance if your baby is born disabled (or worse...), how to deal with a colicky baby and other practical postnatal things. They also did a group exercise which showed approximately how many people would be in the room in the event of an emergency caesarian - I gather people found that very helpful and saved them from worrying unnecessarily at the sheer number of people in the operating theatre.
I don't think we'd go to more NCT classes if we had another baby, but I think I was glad we went first time around.
We gave the NHS ones a go too - didn't get much out of those and left the course before it finished. They were very "nuts and bolts", "this is how a baby is born" - and of course, it was quite a mixed bag of people, from young girls to older women. Not all chavs, but some!
The NCT classes were much more balanced in terms of subject matter. They looked at things like where to get assistance if your baby is born disabled (or worse...), how to deal with a colicky baby and other practical postnatal things. They also did a group exercise which showed approximately how many people would be in the room in the event of an emergency caesarian - I gather people found that very helpful and saved them from worrying unnecessarily at the sheer number of people in the operating theatre.
I don't think we'd go to more NCT classes if we had another baby, but I think I was glad we went first time around.
We did both NCT and NHS, as we were recommended to do it, and being new to the country, had no idea.
Our specific view is that the NHS people are basically very down to earth people, with the NCT being a bunch of stuck up pretentious t
ts.
As to the material covered, we found it was all down to the people presenting the material. At the NHS one, we had midwives from the actual hospital doing the delivery, and we met them later for the birth.
By all means go with whatever you're comfortable with, but the NHS is more than sufficient.
Our specific view is that the NHS people are basically very down to earth people, with the NCT being a bunch of stuck up pretentious t
ts.As to the material covered, we found it was all down to the people presenting the material. At the NHS one, we had midwives from the actual hospital doing the delivery, and we met them later for the birth.
By all means go with whatever you're comfortable with, but the NHS is more than sufficient.
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