Three women at an antenatal class

Why book with us

Helping you feel connected and supported

At our sociable classes you’ll meet a circle of local parents going through similar highs and lows.

Giving you all the confidence you need

Our expert-led courses will leave you feeling confident, knowledgeable and relaxed.

For the whole journey

Preparing you for every stage of pregnancy, birth and early childhood with expert information beyond your due date, including feeding and adjusting to life as a new parent.

Brilliant course leaders

Your own knowledgeable, friendly course leader throughout - trained to university-level and skilled in tailoring information and prompting discussion.

All the info you’ll need

Our comprehensive courses, handouts and online hub, will give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to start your parenting journey.

The antenatal course for all parents

Welcoming and supportive to everyone, whatever your circumstances and however you're having your family regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race or beliefs.

We're the original and leading antenatal class

#1

trusted by more parents than any other antenatal class

75,000

people attend our course each year

3+ million

people taken our antenatal classes to date

UK's largest charity

specialising in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood

Attendees tell us...

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Our course leaders were tremendous. They had very balanced and evidence-based information to support the guidance given.

Richard, Sandbach
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We met a lot of couples who we have already met up with on a couple of occasions, this support and friendship network we have gained from attending the course is fantastic!

Jo, Gosworth
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I feel more confident about birth and the first few months of being a new mum. I would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Simone, Crystal Palace

People who attend say

95%

are still in touch with their NCT friends after they had their baby

89%

felt part of a supportive group of parents

80%

were given new tools and strategies to cope with labour, birth, and early parenting

The NCT Antenatal course

from
£269

Find a course

Includes

   

17 hours of classes

   

Your own personal course leader, consistent throughout

   

Access to a community of local parents

   

Access to NCT online Parent Hub

   

Postnatal support session with your course leader

   

2 people included in price, could be your partner, parent or friend

   

Online and in-person options

   

Special hand-picked offers on leading brands for families and babies

   

Pay in interest-free instalments

   

Discounts available for low income households, + NHS & emergency services workers

from
£269

Here's what you'll learn

Planning for a positive birth experience

  Deciding where to have your baby, local options and care

  Changing hormones and going into labour

  Stages of labour & birth

  Induction of labour and when help is needed

  Caesarean birth and recovery

  Helping yourself & supporting through labour and birth

  Pain management options

  Meeting your baby & what happens immediately after birth

Getting to know and caring for your baby

  Your baby's experience moving from the womb to the world

  Understanding your baby's cues and how they sleep, wake and rest

  Learning what your baby's nappy tells you and how to change them

  Washing and bathing your baby

  Soothing and calming your baby

  Exploring where your baby sleeps and how to keep them safe

  Your relationship with your baby and how they develop and learn

Feeding your baby

  How to get breastfeeding off to a good start

  Understanding your baby's reflexes and cues

  Understanding how breastfeeding works

  Night feeds and sleeping

  Expressing

  How to tell that all is going well

  Different positions for feeding and how to try them

  Different challenges

  Where and how to get support

Wellbeing before and after birth

  Knowing what makes you feel good and keeps you well

  Physical and mental health after birth

  Relaxation techniques

  Coping with lack of sleep

  Changing relationships & adjusting to life as a family

  Sources of support for you and your family

  Making plans

Your family, relationships and finding support

  Becoming a parent

  Changing relationships

  Growing a support network

  Accessing professional help and support

  Negotiating advice and support from peers, family and friends

Meet some course leaders

Suzy, Antenatal course leader

I gained my Diploma in Antenatal Education following my own experiences of NCT antenatal class and making lifelong friends! My background is in science and I’m a working mum of three. I am passionate about practical, evidence-based information. I am also a mindfulness practitioner and mental health first aider.

Suzy, Antenatal course leader
Course leader - Hanna Appelgren

I have been supporting people at this important time in their lives for over 12 years. My overarching aim is that pregnant women and their partners have a positive birth experience, whatever that means for them, and they feel informed and confident to care for and love their babies. I also love running pregnancy and new- mum yoga.

Hannah, Antenatal course leader
Sally, Antenatal course leader

I’m so pleased to have supported over 1000 parents through antenatal courses since starting with NCT in 2012. I began training with NCT after my first child was born. I have also trained as a doula, supporting families during birth and in the postnatal period and now train other doulas. I love my work and think I have the best job in the world!

Sally, Antenatal course leader

FAQs

Which of the courses listed should I attend?

We use your expected due date to determine how suitable a course is for you. 

Ideally we want the course to end 3-7 weeks before you're due, but that can be expanded to 2-9 weeks. You will see courses marked as ideal, good, ok and not suitable in the results.

Other personal factors you should consider are:

  • Preferred format (in-person, online or mixed)
  • Venue location (for in-person or mixed format courses)
  • Date, times and number of sessions (these vary between courses)
How many people will be on the course?

We allow a max of 18 people (up to 9 pairs), but on average it’s 12-14. We keep our groups small, so there’s more time to connect, ask questions and get to know each other.

There’s no courses available when I search?

Please check that the postcode has been entered correctly. If it is correct, either:

  • we haven't scheduled a course in your area, or
  • all the courses are fully booked.

When you search and see no results, there's an option to join our waiting list. If we have enough interest in an area we may put on another course.

Alternatively, our booking support team will contact you to discuss alternative options - e.g. an online course.

What is covered in each session? 

We can't tell you exactly what will be taught in each session because:

  • the number and length of sessions can differ between scheduled courses, and
  • your course leader will tailor the content to the needs of the group.

We can tell you that all our courses will cover the five overall themes, see What you'll learn.

I can't make one of your course sessions?

We encourage you to book a course where you can make all sessions, as we can't move you into a session on a different course.

Depending on circumstances, we can offer you an online replacement session that will cover one of the five core themes. See our terms and conditions for details.

Can I change or cancel a booking?

We understand things don’t always go to plan. You can cancel a booking within 14 days of confirmation without charge. There’s also options for changing your booking. Find out more.

I have accessibility requirements, can you help? 

We want to make our courses accessible to all. Please let us know in advance if you have specific accessibility requirements by completing the 'is there anything you would like to share with your course leader?' field when you book your course.

Can I pay by interest-free instalments?

Interest-free instalments are available when there is enough time to have monthly instalments between the booking date and the start of the course - this will be indicated on the course when you search.

Can I get a discount on the course price?

We offer discounts to households earning less than £35,000 per year, Emergency Services & NHS workers. 

Find out more about our course discounts and eligibility. 

To request a discount, find the course you want to attend and then get in touch with us via email, web chat or by calling 0300 330 0700 (option 2). 

Do you offer an online-only course?

We regularly hold online courses for people who want to attend an NCT Antenatal course but:

  • are located outside of the UK
  • are located in areas where courses aren't scheduled, or
  • would prefer the information and learning of practical skills over the social side of the course

Find an online NCT antenatal course

Can I access information after the course ends?

Yes! As part of your course, you'll get access to our NCT Parent Hub, an exclusive digital content platform, where you'll find evidenced-based articles, informative videos and links to useful resources all together in one place to support your learning.