Our Antenatal Classes are led by locally-based NCT-trained Antenatal Teachers*, they are informal and friendly, offering informative support as you prepare for the birth of your baby.  We run classes for first-time parents and refresher courses for those who have already had one or more babies.

What do the courses cover?

Our courses focus on providing you with the information and skills you need to make your own decisions about your labour and birth. Some of the topics we cover include:

• Practical skills for labour, including breathing, massage and birth positions
• Your pain relief choices
• Information on what happens during birth
• Early days with your baby

Our courses include a session with a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor*. These friendly sessions provide practical information to help you to start breastfeeding and to consider what life will be like with a new baby.

Why choose our courses?

• Reliable information that allows you to make your own decisions
• Focus on waht you want to know, with plenty of time for questions
• Relaxed and informal, with usually no more than 8 pregnant women and their birth partners
• Birth partners are central to our courses, whether this is your partner, a member of your family or a friend

Meeting other mums and dads

As the UK’s largest charity for parents, we know how important it is to get support from other mums and dads as well as great information. We plan our courses around due dates so you are able to meet a group of local parents who are going through the experience at the same time as you.

Find a course to suit you

Find a local antenatal course by searching on your postcode through our course finder or email bookings4q@nct.org.uk  

NCT charges for courses in order to cover the costs to the charity for providing this service and to help us to provide services for all parents. Everyone is welcome to pay by installments and we offer discounts for parents in receipt of benefits or on lower incomes. Please request further information from the course administrator when you enquire about your course.

NCT courses are open to all parents and parents-to-be, including young parents, women without a partner, same-sex couples and surrogacy couples.  Women who are not attending with a partner are very welcome to bring someone else along to classes, for example a friend or family member.

*Our teachers, counsellors and postnatal leaders undergo comprehensive training with the NCT and hold Diplomas of Higher Education in their specialism.  They are not normally medically qualified and do not offer specific medical advice.  Parents are asked to seek any medical help from the relevant health professional.