NCT classes are small and informal and everyone in the class will be expecting their babies around the same time. Each course provides information and an opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions about your labour and your baby’s birth.

Morning, evening and weekend classes are available throughout Leeds. These are usually held in the antenatal teacher's home and cater for 6 couples. The cost is £174 for a full course, including one year's NCT membership, although there is a sliding scale for those on lower income.

There are also Early Days classes for those with babies up to 6 months old. Please see below for details.

Topics

The topics covered in antenatal classes are negotiated by each group, but might include:

• What happens during the three stages of labour
• Relaxation, breathing and massage
• Practising active positions to use in labour
• Antenatal and postnatal depression
• Informed choice about birth options
• The role of a birth partner
• Interventions in labour (e.g. induction, monitoring)
• Caesarean, forceps and ventouse birth
• When your baby is born early, or ill
• Pain relief – self-help and pharmacological
• Breastfeeding
• Early parenting – including both practical and emotional tips for coping with a new baby.

There is usually a good balance between antenatal and postnatal topics.

Bookings can only be made if you have passed the 13 week mark.

Please contact Julie by email at:  bookings7A@nct.org

"Early Days" courses

We are now offering Early Days courses in Leeds. These classes are intended for parents or carers of babies under 6 months old. They are designed to help get the most out of the new role as a parent as well as being enjoyable and interesting.

It is a great way to meet other parents in the Leeds area, make friends and share experiences of early parenting. A range of approaches to important parenting issues will be explored so that parents and carers have the confidence to make the right decisions for themselves and their babies.

Each course is unique, as parents set their own agenda, however, issues covered have included: sleeping, crying, routines, feeding and weaning, going back to work, and dealing with advice.

Early Days Courses run once a week for 2 hours during the day over 6 weeks and cost £60. The usual sliding scale arrangements for people on lower incomes apply.

Please the Booking Coordinator on  bookings7A@nct.org if you are interested in attending a course

NCT Antenatal Teachers and Breastfeeding Counsellors

Our antenatal teachers, breastfeeding counsellors and postnatal discussion leaders undergo thorough training with the NCT, although they are not required to be medically qualified.

All teachers, counsellors and leaders are expected to keep up to date with the latest developments in maternity care and must register with us every year. Their role is to offer support, information, practical skills and resources to help parents make informed choices for themselves and their babies.

They do not offer medical advice and parents are asked to take any questions about the medical care of mother and baby to their midwife, health visitor, or GP.