A typical NCT antenatal course consists of several hours of course time antenatally and can include a postnatal reunion. They are designed for those expecting their first child. 

We also run a number of short, high-impact services which can offer specialised education to those who need it most.  These affordable 3-hour workshops cover VBAC, Water birth, Homebirth, Antenatal Education for Hospitalised Women, Young Parenting, and a Post-Birth Debrief workshop.  For more information see the attached handout called Short NCT Workshops--High Impact.

Aspects of pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting are covered but each course is flexible and tailored to the group’s individual needs. Subjects covered will usually include:

• Pregnancy and birth choices
• Choosing where to have the baby
• Body awareness, relaxation, breathing and massage
• Home births and water births
• What happens in labour and how the baby is born
• Pain relief - natural and medical methods
• Labour and the role of the partner in labour
• What complications might arise – eg Caesarean birth
• Looking after a newborn and feeding
• Early parenting, lifestyle changes

You can organise courses to run from 4-8 weeks or as a drop-in style.  It can incorporate other services from midwives and health visitors. We can tailor a course to suit your timetable and budget.

NCT also offers a newly designed Preparation for  Birth and Beyond curricula, developed in collaboration with the Department of Health.  This new curricula is being piloted in several major NHS Trusts and their Children's Centres presently.

NCT Professional training for Health Professionals include courses for running antenatal classes, identifying postnatal depression in parents and supporting breastfeeding.

Evidence of our antenatal services, as well as a full report from our antenatal service contract at Birmingham Women's Hospital can be found in the pdf files below.

For more information on antenatal services for your organisation, please ring Amy, NCT Transition to Parenthood Programmes Manager, on 07889 405 720 or contact her on a_maclean@nct.org.uk.