Nct - how important?

[Belle]

Keef - think maybe you're doing what you're accusing others of - I don't see these posts as defensive. if you read my post i had a bit of a mixed time with the course as the making friends bit was the bit that didn't work out - was just saying that I'd question whether you can get the same info elsewhere. The view that NCT isn't worth it is just as valid as any other view and it's quite often voiced on here, don't think people are jumping on the poster - just saying what their experience was.

[Keef]

Perhaps you're right.

I often hear people say the main thing for them is the social side, so I thought "They are a middle-class parents dating service" was quite funny.

It must be difficult for Sillywoman, being an intructor, you don't want to see negative comments, but I don't think there is a need to be wounded by Lousylu's post. You can't please everyone, and there are obviously a load of satisfied customers in the Dulwich area!

[snowboarder]

Sorry am probably being a bit oversensitive - but the comment 'middle class dating service' and 'overblown and precious' from someone who didn't actually attend the classes themselves just feels a bit like being told you are a rich twit/loser with no friends for doing so!

Hey ho - as you say keef it's not like they are compulsory(!), so great for some not for others. As with most things though when those who criticise actually have no direct experience their comments can be seen as a bit unfair.

[newcomer]

Hi pilsbury. First of all, many congratulations! And welcome to the crazy world of pregnancy. The first thing to remember is that your body is now no longer your own - so don't be surprised at all the weird and unsettling things that start to happen to it over the next 7 months or so.

I've recently attended a NCT course but don't work for them or have any involvement with NCT, so hopefully I can give you an unbiased view of my experiences, though of course everyone's experiences will be different.

Re whether or not NCT is 'worth it', I think it really depends on whether or not this is your first child (I'm assuming that it is?), whether or not you want to meet other local parents, and how much you know already about raising a new-born. Personally, I'd recommend the course to any first time parent (especially those who don't already have a lot of experience with babies or pregnancy) as I've found the content extremely useful and reassuring. Even though I have read a zillion pregnancy books, I still learnt a lot of things from the course.

From a pyschological point of view, I think attending the course also helped me to make the transition from scared girl-who-happens-to-be-preggers-but-hasn't-a-clue-what-she's-doing to a more prepared 'mum-to-be'. I'm not saying that this wouldn't have happened anyway over the course of my pregnancy - but my personal experience is that the course helped me to achieve this to happen in a very natural and calming way. And it has been great to be able to talk over my (often irrational) fears and questions in a supportive atmosphere.

The social benefit is, to my mind, an 'extra' bonns, but I'd still recommend the course even if you don't care about that aspect. If this social aspect side is appealing to you, then I'd recommend that you phone the NCT and try to get a course that's closer to you than London Bridge - perhaps you could at least get yourself on a waiting list for East Dulwich classes?

Finally, before attending the course I had initially wondered if we would have a 'hard sell' for breastfeeding and/or 'natural' childbirth, but I didn't find that to be the case at all - in fact, I felt that we were given a very balanced view. Again, I imagine this largely depends on the quality of the teacher you get.

Ultimately though, people have been having kids since the dawn of time without attending NCT classes, so if you don't make the classes then don't worry about it. If you're interested, I think there are also one-day classes at Kings you could attend instead.

All the very, very best with the pregnancy and I hope the morning sickness gremlins leave you alone!

[Keef]

Super post, bravo.