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Creating confidence
From September 2008, the NCT will be providing a further 600 antenatal classes and Early Days courses courses, bringing the total number of courses run by the charity to 5,000. We have also trained a further 50 specialist teachers, bringing the total number of diploma qualified class teachers to 600.
NCT Antenatal Courses
So much information is thrown at you once you’re pregnant that it can be really hard to decide what suits you. NCT antenatal teachers are trained to help mums and dads work out how they want to approach labour and birth, rather than tell them the ‘right’ way.
Our classes are very practical, with lots of opportunities to practise positions for labour and breathing, as well as parenting skills. We also make sure that we provide lots of emotional support for this major life change, both from the teacher and from the other parents-to-be in the class.
Find your nearest course and book now. Concessionary rates are available.
Read Catherine’s story.
NCT Early Days courses and drop-ins
"It sounds so obvious to say that having a baby changes your life completely but this course helps you understand why and how it has affected you." |
- Meet other new parents in your area
- Discuss your feelings with our qualified group leaders
- Explore issues from crying & sleeping to the reality of parenthood
Each group picks the topics that will be most useful to them, so our courses are always tailored to your needs.
Find your nearest course and book now. Concessionary rates available
Read Diana’s story.
Steve’s story
I wanted to be as involved as much as possible in the pregnancy, birth and all that followed. Paula had repeatedly said "You do it!" meaning I carry the baby and give birth, and that wasn't really on the agenda - so NCT classes it was.
The classes appealed for several reasons: the group format and peer learning meant it was practical and fun, and allowed us to build friendships that have gone on to be a superb (and invaluable) support network.
As for being a dad, I have discovered I can survive on virtually no sleep, especially when Maya beams at me, or fills her nappy on my lap (it's always when I feed her....) I am exhausted much of the time, and find work much easier than looking after baby, but I love it when I do it. Maya rocks!
Catherine’s story
Like many mums-to-be, I was nervous about having my first child. As well as getting through the labour, I was apprehensive about life with a child and experiencing loneliness whilst on maternity leave.
The NCT antenatal class addressed all these fears in a straightforward, non-embarrassing way (to the relief of my husband!). We learnt in detail about what to expect and I was relieved to find that all the other mums had exactly the same concerns as me.
My son Joseph is now four months old and all the mums and babies meet weekly - I've got a great network of new friends.
Diana's story
I cannot speak highly enough of the Early Days course. It dealt with so many complex issues such as relationships, crying and more importantly you! It sounds so obvious to say that having a baby changes your life completely but this course helps you understand why and how it has affected you.
Given that none of us knew each other when we attended, we were all very honest and I think that helped us get the most out of our course. We were encouraged to speak our minds and share our feelings and we did. I remember one girl speaking on her thoughts of motherhood and she said that she wanted a refund! She wasn’t depressed or clinically ill, just shocked by the amount of time it took up and the fact that she could barely make a sandwich!
The most valuable lesson I learnt from our postnatal course is that there isn’t a correct way to parent a baby – it is what suits the individual and fits in with their life. This gave me the confidence to stand up and say, you know what, this is how I do it and it works for me. And if it works for you and your family, stick with it!
Shona Gore, NCT
Antenatal classes offer mums and dads the opportunity to look at all the information and advice they’ve been given about birth and work out what’s right for them. So much information is thrown at you once you’re pregnant that it can be really hard to decide what suits you. We train our teachers to help parents work out how they want to approach labour and birth, rather than tell them the ‘right’ way.
Our classes are very practical, with lots of opportunities to practise positions for labour and breathing, as well as parenting skills. We also make sure that we provide lots of emotional support for this major life change, both from the teacher and from the other parents-to-be in the class. We often have a mum or dad from the class before bringing their baby in and talking about their experiences – it’s great to see people learning from each other in this way.
