Expecting a baby & have a low income? The NCT - Accessible to All

The NCT's mission is for all parents to have an experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood that enriches their lives and gives them confidence in being a parent. We aim for our services to be available to everyone including those with a low household income or claiming benefits. This page gives you information about what is available to you.

NCT Membership

If you or your partner claim any of the following benefits then you can join the NCT for just £2 per year (£10 per year from 12th September 2011) which covers either individual or joint membership:

• employment support allowance
• council tax benefit
• housing benefit
• tax credits (excluding child tax credit)

You do not need to be a member of the NCT to attend any of our events; however, your membership helps to ensure that we will still be here to support your children and grandchildren on their journey to parenthood too.

NCT members receive our branch newsletter as well as the NCT national magazine. In addition, North Cheshire branch members gain early entry to our branch Nearly New Sales, allowing you the chance to grab a baby bargain before everyone else enters the sale. Some, though not all, NCT branches give similar early entry to their own Nearly New Sales.

Being a member of the NCT allows you to vote on key issues at the branch Annual Members Meeting, hold one of the four key posts on our branch team and attend the NCT National Conference held each year and vote at the Annual General Meeting.

NCT Antenatal Classes, Workshops & Postnatal Courses

NCT standard antenatal classes and intensive workshops cover a wide range of topics surrounding pregnancy, labour birth and the early postnatal period typically including:

• Choosing where to give birth
• How labour may begin
• The stages of labour and the birth
• Pain Management during labour
• Assisted & Caesarean birth
• Physical skills for labour, birth positions and more
• Your options for induction of labour if your pregnancy continues beyond 40 weeks
• Recovering after the birth
• Relationship & lifestyle changes after the birth of your baby
• Practical baby care skills.

Antenatal classes are taught by qualified antenatal teachers in small groups of parents with similar due dates to your own. Our courses are designed for couples but many women attend on their own, with a birth partner, friend or relative who will be supporting them through labour. The course fee includes any handouts to support the content of the course.

Physical skills for labour workshops focus very much on active birth skills including:

• Positions and movement for labour and birth
• Relaxation Techniques
• Massage techniques for birth supporters
• Breathing techniques for labour and birth
• Using a birth ball
• Using a Mexican rebozo in labour and birth
• Underpinning theory supporting course content.

These workshops may be particularly helpful for women expecting a second or subsequent baby who want to refresh their coping skills for labour or those seeking an active birth.

Postnatal courses are for those with new babies to help them adjust to life and relationship changes as new parents and give them confidence in being a parent. They are run by qualified postnatal leaders in small groups of typically 6- 12 parents. The content of postnatal courses is very much guided by the group and varies according to the group's needs as new parents.

If you are concerned about course costs please read the next section on our reduced price options for low income households and expectant parents claiming benefits.

Reduced Payment Options

Approximately half of all UK households may be eligible for our reduced course prices; read further to find out which option suits your personal circumstances.Course prices vary according to the number of hours in each course, some examples are listed below.If you think you may be eligible for a reduced course fee then please ask our booking administrator in complete confidence for more details.

10% of Course Price: example - a physical skills workshop from as little as £7.20; an 18 hr antenatal course including a reunion from as little as £15.58 and an intensive weekend course from as little as £15.28.

The 10% fee is available to:

• Under 18s
• Students (under 22 years of age)
• Parents receiving income support, income-based job seekers allowance, council tax benefit, housing benefit, employment and support allowance or working tax credit
• Parents with a yearly household income of less than £15,000

Reductions of up to 90% are available to:

• Parents with a yearly household income of £15,000 to £25,000; discounts will be tailored to your individual circumstances.

Payment by Installments available to:

• Everyone including those on a low income or claiming benefits can pay for their course in agreed installments; all we ask is that the final installment is paid by the time the course begins.

How To Book

If you would like to attend one of our courses or workshops then please take a look at our antenatal classes page to find the course that's right for you and register your interest; enquire with our bookings administrator about our reduced price options. If you don't see a course that suits your needs then please contact our bookings administrator who will endeavour to help you further.

Benefits Available to You During Pregnancy

For information on benefits available to you during pregnancy, please click here.