What is good about the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), and what is bad about it? Is it accessible?

Answer 1

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The classes are a wonderful way to meet people. I would recommend them to anyone who is expecting their first baby. My group have been my lifeline. We've been meeting once a week for the last year now.

On the downside, they are militant on breastfeeding. My course included a breastfeeding class. I thought the woman was quite good, but I took her advice with a pinch of salt. The other girls took her advice to the letter and 2 of their babies ended up back in hospital because they wouldn't breastfeed but they were just told to 'keep trying'.

They run a breastfeeding drop in centre near me which is very good and has helped a lot of people keep breastfeeding.
What bugs me is the 'there is no other way attitude'. At the moment they have a big campaign about the instructions for making up formula. They are criticising the formula manufacturers for saying you can leave the water for 30-40 minutes when it should only be left for 30, stating this could cause a child to get seriously ill.
What a load of rubbish! For a start, that is so unlikely it is beyond the realms of possibility. But what really annoys me is that they are only banging on about this to stress out formula feeding mums even more, and to put people off formula feeding. They know full well that the studies show that the risk is absolutely tiny to healthy babies.

Is it accessible? Well, they say that they don't turn people down if they can't afford the classes. But having a baby is expensive time and paying for ante natal classes is just one more expensive that a lot of people probably see as unnecessary. These people might not want to go to the NCT with a begging bowl asking for free classes.
Everyone who was in my group were really quite wealthy.

Answer 2

This is just what I have heard and feel about it before researching.

It has some good points but can be a bit dictorial in its delivery, it is expensive and not easily accessible and many things are done for free on the NHS with easy access.

May be wrong though and am willing to change my mind if I am.

Answer 3

Hi. I took NCT classes during my first pregnancy and I would stongly recommend them.

The most important thing they gave me was a sense that I could be in control of what was going on and that I could make informed decisions. We went through the stages of labour in detail so we knew what to expect and there is really good support should you need it post-delivery.

Yes, they can be a bit dictatorial - no drugs and breastfeed all the way but just be sensible about how you use the advice and it's definately worth it.

That said the best thing got out of it was four really brilliant friends who I still see now (3 1/2 years later), I even work for one of them and my daughter grew up with children she knew from birth. We socialised all the time when they were babies and it was a brilliant support group especially as my daughter was the youngest so if she did anything odd the others had generally already been through it.

I really would recommend it just don't feel guilty for demanding drugs and not breast-feeding!

Answer 4

i never bothered with nct, i had a lot of friends who were expecting at the same time,, so we meet up regularly,, . on the other hand,, my sister had just moved and knew no one, attended nct classes and now meets up with about 8 women all with babies born around the same age. its more to do with meeting other mothers than about the actually classes (which most hospitals run a similar class)

i know they are popular and get extemely busy, but you can find out where your local group meets via your midwife or internet