NCT Courses and Covid-19

Covid-19 price promise: If some or all of your course takes place online due to Covid-19, we promise to give you a course price discount related to how much of the course is online. 

Courses until the end of June 2021 are online to bring you local, fully interactive and inclusive courses when Covid-19 infection rates are high and official guidance for pregnant women remains in place – a decision supported by the Royal College of Midwives. 

"Antenatal classes can be incredibly helpful in preparing for childbirth and parenthood – and for meeting and sharing experiences with other parents-to-be. Online classes, like those offered by NCT, are the safest and most practical option currently and still offer those opportunities, even if the experience is different to getting together in person."

- Royal College of Midwives 

We are taking decisions on whether courses from July 2021 onwards will be delivered online or in-person on a month-by month-basis.  We are updating course information on our website and contacting you if have booked a course place explaining why, so you know how your course will run 6-10 weeks before it begins. 

How we make decisions about the delivery of NCT courses

As the UK’s largest parenting charity and leader in the field of antenatal education, we make informed decisions with full consideration to the current and any (confirmed) future UK government restrictions and official guidance and the most reliable research findings and data regarding pregnancy and Covid-19.   

We also consult closely with our colleagues at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM).  

It’s our charitable mission to support all parents to have the most positive experiences of pregnancy, birth and the early days, so we will: 

  • act promptly and transparently, informing you how and why your course will be delivered as early as practically possible.  
  • always make decisions that offer the best experiences available whilst protecting you, our parents, your babies and our NCT course leaders. 

Joanna is an NCT doula for Sheffield.

Would you like Joanna to be your Doula?

Email joannadean.jd@gmail.com or call 07530297378.

About Joanna

Joanna is a mother of three and since the birth of her eldest has been passionate about the well-being of women through pregnancy and birth.

Joanna previously worked for the NHS providing support to children with mental health and learning difficulties. This experience has taught Joanna to keep a calm and relaxed attitude which can be of comfort to parents.

By carefully listening and discussing your choices together, Joanna will use her knowledge in massage, counter pressure, affirmations and birth positions to find the best way to support you during the birth. As well as providing you with a range of physical and emotional support, Joanna will also be there to provide practical support, whether this is setting up your birth pool, getting you off to a good start breastfeeding or guidance during that first bath or nappy change.

Whether your choices include cesarean or home birth, Joanna will be there to support and embrace all your decisions. Joanna believes giving birth can be a wonderful experience and this is an important foundation on which to build a family. Joanna will be there to share the knowledge and skills to support you to create a safe and loving environment in which to birth your child.

Joanna Dean

Qualifications

NCT Doula, Antenatal Practitioner and Yoga for Pregnancy instructor.

Practicalities

Joanna will provide support by:

  • Meeting with you three times before the birth.
  • Supporting you to write a birth plan.
  • Imparting knowledge and skills to support you through the latter stages of pregnancy and birth.
  • Being on call for two weeks before your due date until your baby arrives.
  • Staying with you throughout the entirety of your labour and birth.
  • Providing physical and emotional support (e.g. massage, relaxation, affirmations, active birth positions, breathing exercises).
  • Providing support to communicate with midwives and health professionals on your behalf.
  • Providing support to a birth partner, should there be one.
  • Taking photographs at any stage you wish.
  • Meeting with you postnatally to discuss the birth and point you towards any further support you may need.

Testimonials

"Joanna was a constant source of support during my pregnancy, she gave me confidence in myself and I understood far more about what was going on with my body when it came to the birth."

- Cara Dexter, mum of Charlie
NCT Membership

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