NCT began in the 1950s as one woman’s simple idea: women and parents should be supported, informed and listened to during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. It grew into a network of expectant and new parents meeting in living rooms and village halls - and has become the nation’s charity for pregnancy, parents and progress.
Parenthood, society and healthcare have changed enormously since then - and so have we. But one thing has always stayed the same: NCT is a community of parents supporting one another.
Our founder's story
NCT was founded in 1956 by Prunella Briance, whose own experiences of pregnancy and loss highlighted how unsupported parents could feel at a critical time.
Originally called the Natural Childbirth Association, the organisation was influenced by early thinking about physiological childbirth, including the work of British obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read. In 1961, the charity became the National Childbirth Trust, now widely known as NCT.
From the beginning, NCT wanted women and parents to be informed, listened to and supported.
Pioneering antenatal education and peer support
Early NCT leaders created a network of peer support and antenatal education that didn’t exist elsewhere, with the first antenatal course held in 1959. These classes aimed to give parents the knowledge, confidence and community to navigate pregnancy, birth and early parenthood together.
Built on 70 years of experience, today we educate and empower parents with unbiased, evidenced-based information and support. We create space for expectant parents to explore their options, personal preferences and help them navigate uncertain times.
Learn about our courses and workshops
A volunteer movement, built by parents
Over time, NCT became a nationwide, volunteer‑led community, with parents setting up local branches to support each other. Many volunteer groups began long before emails and smartphones - and are still thriving today.
For generations, these networks have offered practical help, real connection and reassurance.
Learn about our local activities and meet ups.
A history of campaigning for parents
For decades, NCT has placed women’s rights and choice at the heart of childbirth and maternity care. Our campaigning has helped bring about meaningful change, including:
- 1970s: securing birthing partners’ presence in delivery rooms
- 2004: legislative changes in Scotland protecting rights to breastfeed in public
- 2010: helping to ban harmful BPA plastics in baby bottles
- 2019: achieving a universal six‑week postnatal GP check centred on mental health
Across every generation, our focus has remained the same: better information, more choice and stronger support.
Birth, choice and how our thinking has evolved
In earlier years,, NCT raised concerns about increasing rates of induction, caesarean birth and episiotomy, based on the evidence and experiences available at the time. We became well known for campaigns that:
- encouraged ‘normal birth’ in hospitals and at home
- promoted breastfeeding
- supported choice in birth
Today, we are clear: what matters most is that services across pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period respect individual preferences, uphold rights, and respond to clinical circumstances. Pregnant women and people must be listened to, respected and treated equally, and their wellbeing and safety – and that of their babies - must guide every aspect of their care.
We’re here for every birth and feeding journey, and every experience matters.
Exploring NCT’s history
NCT’s archives are held at the Wellcome Collection, preserving decades of work on women’s rights, maternity care and the social history of pregnancy and early parenthood.
From national campaigns to everyday stories shared by parents and volunteers, the collection shows how parents’ voices have helped shape change - and how pregnancy and parenting have evolved over time.
Learn about NCT's archive at Wellcome Collection
Who we are today
Our purpose is as vital now as it was in the 1950s. We’re here for every parent - offering trusted information, practical support and a sense of community, without judgement or bias.
We use parents’ insights to continuously improve and innovate, shaping how and where we work. And we continue to press for progress by raising parents’ voices, campaigning for change and helping families feel confident, connected and safe.