The NCT wants all parents to have an experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood that enriches their lives and gives them confidence in being a parent.

Some of our core beliefs are:

• Normality: The NCT believes that the normal physiological processes of birth and breastfeeding can make a major contribution to the health and well-being of women and babies but are threatened by pressures of modern society and need protection and promotion.
• Choice:  The NCT believes in informing and supporting parents-to-be and parents so they are aware of the full range of options and are empowered to make decisions that are right for them.

The NCT believes parents do their best to make choices that are good for their own health and well being and that of their children.

Why attend antenatal classes? 

• Led by qualified NCT antenatal teachers, our antenatal classes are renowned throughout the UK for providing parents with reliable information and choice.
• Classes are informal and small, with a maximum of 8 couples.
• Everyone in the class will be expecting their babies around the same time. This creates a wonderful environment of shared experiences where many people make lifelong friends.
• Each NCT Antenatal Course provides evidence-based information, backed by more than 50 years of NCT experience.
• They give you the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions about your labour and your baby’s birth.

Who should attend?

• NCT courses are open to all parents and parents-to-be, including young parents, women without a partner, same-sex couples and surrogacy couples.
• Antenatal course places are for up to two people and 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.

How long do classes run for?

• In Liverpool we run a variety of class formats ranging from 16 to 20 hours over either weekends of evenings.
• All the classes include a session with an NCT breast feeding counsellor and a postnatal session with your antenatal teacher.

If you are a second time parent or you cannot make a full course please contact us and we will do our best to help you with either a refresher course or a one to one session.

What do courses cover?

Each NCT antenatal courses is tailored to meet the needs of those attending.

Your antenatal teacher will provide information and facilitate discussions and activities on relevant topics or those specifically chosen by the group. These may include,

• Pregnancy and birth choices
• What happens in labour and birth
• Preparation for an active labour and birth
• The role of the birth partner
• Relaxation, breathing and massage techniques
• Care of the new born
• Breastfeeding
• Relationship changes
• Feelings after birth
• Early parenting

Who teaches antenatal courses?

• If you book onto one of our course you will likely to meet either Wena, Alex, Emma or Kate.
• All antenatal teachers undergo a thorough training with the NCT lasting approximately 3 years.
• After successful completion of the programme students will graduate with a Diploma of Higher Education in Antenatal Education from the University of Bedfordshire.
• All teachers are then expected to keep up to date with the latest developments in maternity care and attend 2 additional study days per year.
• They must also register with the NCT every year.

For more information about any of our courses please contact Steph bookings2c@nct.org.uk or 0844 2436969

We look forward to seeing you on one of our courses!

**Please note** – the NCT is a charity and no one is excluded if they cannot pay the full fee. Therefore, depending on your circunmstances, we have several payment options available. These range from a 10% discount to a maximum of 90% off the course price. We can also accept instalments at no extra cost.