New survey shows shocking level of misinformation - adults unprepared to be a parent

Released on 14/01/2008

A new survey out today by National Childbirth Trust charity shows that many young adults are unprepared and misinformed about birth and life with a new born baby. Lots of people greatly over-estimated how much free time they will have once their infant is born while others think labour is short and over with quickly.

Of those surveyed, 43% had never had children while 57% were parents. A fifth (19%) of those who had never had children thought labour lasted less than six hours. In reality, labour lasts 10 to 12 hours, with some women in labourfor much longer.

When it came to looking after a newborn baby, 47% said they would not feel confident while 26% would feel very nervous.

And almost half (42%) thought they would get between one and seven hours a day of free time even if they had a newborn to look after. But when the same question was asked of parents, 9% said they had no free time while 28% said they had one to two hours.

The survey also found that 20% of people without children thought life with a newborn would be terrifying and 28% thought it would be worrying. However, 44% thought it would be happy and 45% thought it be would be exciting.

In order to help a greater number of new parents from all backgrounds prepare for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, the charity is rebranding and changing its logo to make it clear that NCT support and services are open to all parents.

After the rebrand, the first in 50 years, the charity will be known as the NCT and the new logo will carry the initials ‘NCT’.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT, says; “It is worrying to see how many people feel so unprepared and misinformed about becoming a parent. Parents do a very important job. These results show that now more than ever parents need information and support. This is why the charity is updating its look and feel. Our new look will enable us to reach out to more people and help them better prepare for life as a new parent.

“Over the last few years the NCT has been quietly undergoing a major reorganisation. We have reorganised our structure and expanded our scope to offer a greater number of courses as well as free services such as information and support lines, our website and publications.

“We want all new and expectant parents to know the charity is a source of support and a place to meet others in the same situation so they can learn from shared experiences and settle quickly and happily into their life as a new parent.”

The rebrand will be rolled out to the charity’s staff, volunteers and its 72,000 members this week.

The charity also hopes the rebrand will increase the number of people who become members. Belinda Phipps continues; "Too few people realise that the NCT is a charity and we need to increase donations so we can continue to provide our much-needed services for parents."

The NCT is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Every year the charity supports thousands of parents through an incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information and mutual support through our network of over 300 local branches and services.

Operating for over 50 years, the NCT is recognised as the voice of those expecting a baby and new parents throughout the UK. The charity also campaigns continuously for improvements to maternity care, and better services and facilities for new parents.

More information on the charity’s rebrand, including a short film, can be found on the new look website at www.nct.org.uk/rebrand

ENDS

Further information

For more information, please call Nicola Ryan, NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk

Notes to editors

References

¹ National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health. Intrapartum care: care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth. NICE Clinical Guideline 55. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; 2007. (Available from: www.nice.org.uk.)

1. After the rebrand the charity will be known as the NCT, however legally it will remain the National Childbirth Trust charity.
   
   
2. The NCT is already well known for antenatal and postnatal courses, local events and nearly new sales. In addition, the charity provides services including two national information lines, breastfeeding counselling, support networks through 300 branches and peer support schemes. The charity also provides information including magazines, books, information sheets and leaflets.
   
   The charity campaigns effectively for improvements to maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents. The NCT has also set up regional development workers who work with families from low socio-economic groups and BME communities in NW England.
   
   
3. The charity is supported financially through fundraising by its 72,000 members and volunteers. It also generates income through NCT Sales – its trading company – which operates an internet and mail order service for parents.
   
   
4. Research conducted via in-home, face-to-face omnibus from 4-10th January 2008 by Ipsos MORI’s Global Omnibus Services division. A nationally representative sample of adults aged 18-35 in GB were interviewed, with data subsequently weighted to the known profile of this population. The survey was carried out via Ipsos MORI’s Face to Face Omnibus with 591 adults 18-35 years old, 57% parents, 43% non-parents.

Contact

Press Office
Email: press@nct.org.uk
Telephone: 0870 770 3238