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 April 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 May 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. 

Lauren is a trainee Doula working in the North east of England. She lives in Gateshead and is happy to travel to North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, and South Tyneside. 

Would you like Lauren to be your doula?

Contact Lauren on lauren_c_1990@hotmail.com or 07713279600. 

Feel free to leave a message and she will get back to you.

About Lauren

Lauren is currently a student NCT doula. An important part of training for this role is that Lauren is required to support a woman or couple through birth with the support of the NCT doula tutors. Your baby needs to be due between the end of February and mid-April 2020 for you to be able to consider asking Lauren to be your birth doula. The fee for Lauren to support you has been appropriately set to recognise the fact that she is a student. 

Lauren has always enjoyed working with families. She has over 10 years' experience working with children and young people, and after the birth of her second child, naturally progressed to a more supportive role with pregnant people and new families.  

Lauren feels passionate about informed choice and a positive birth experience. She believes that all birth can be positive if parents are treated with respect and supported to make informed choices. Her focus is in empowering you in making your own birth and parenting decisions. She will be with you, offering information and individualised care throughout the perinatal period. She understands that no two pregnancies are the same and aims to support you in your pregnancy however she can. 

Lauren will meet with you at least 3 times antenatally to get to know you, offer support and discuss your birth preferences. She can help during pregnancy and labour with massage, relaxation, breathing techniques, and assisting with staying mobile and changing positions. Lauren will continue to support you postnatally, with at least one visit after the birth of your baby. She can also offer sling and breastfeeding information if desired. 

Lauren has a quiet, calm, and supportive nature. She is a good listener and can quickly adapt to new situations. Lauren believes in a non-judgemental, gentle attitude and will always put the family in the centre of her care.  

Lauren is currently in her final year of the NCT degree, training to be a Breastfeeding Counsellor as well as a Doula. Her past work history is in childcare and she holds up to a level 5 childcare qualification.  

Lauren Calvert

Qualifications

  • Breastfeeding peer support
  • Babywearing consultancy  
  • Level 5 Childcare  

Practicalities

Lauren will provide support by:

  • Offering a minimum of 3 antenatal visits to get to know you and discuss your personal needs 
  • Being on call from 38 weeks until after the birth of your baby 
  • Offering continuous support in labour at your chosen birthplace 
  • Arranging a postnatal visit to explore you’re your birth experience and answer any questions 
  • Offering breastfeeding and sling support
NCT Membership

NCT Membership

Become an NCT member and join a community of new parents, all experiencing pregnancy, birth and early parenthood together.

Find out more