Best time to do NCT classes?

[philiphenslowe]

I've been offered a place on a local NCT course, but I'll be 35 weeks pregnant when the classes begin. It's 3 intensive sessions + I'll be 37 weeks when the course finishes. Is 35 weeks quite late to start the classes? This is my first pregnancy so I'm not really sure.

Also, I could go to a different class the month before, which my husband could also attend, but it's in a different area to where I live.

What I'm asking really is it better to go to a very local class which my husband can't attend + wouldn't start until I was 35 weeks or one further away from home which my husband could attend + started at 31 weeks?

How important is it to go to a class really close to your home?

I'd be really grateful to hear other people's experiences of NCT classes. And does anybody have any opinions on intensive courses vs 2hr evening classes over a longer period?

Many thanks

[buggie]

I did intensive classes and we were all 35/36 wks at the start of the course.

Think was perfect timing in that we all started mat leave and started having babies soon after so bonded well and were able to see lots of each other, plus everything discussed and theorised in the classes were put into practice quickly!

Found the intensive days good as meant anything slowly digested earlier in the day could be questioned before the end of the day!

[KateW]

Just a quick post as I'm dashing out: I did my course alone as DH was away overseas (he's in the army) and the group were lovely and made me feel really looked after (I was a bit worried about doing it by myself). To be honest, once the babies are born, it's the other Mums you meet up with, not the Dads (in my experience, although we all meet up for a birthday bash once a year) so I'd personally go for the one near your home as you'll get lots of support from each other and if other's live in walking distance, that's really handy for joint walks to get the babies to sleep! Good luck with the birth x

[Saffron]

I agree with buggie. I did the intensive course late in my pregnancy, and I found it well-timed and useful. Plus, everything is still fresh in your head when your labour begins. :)

Unfortunately, Hubbie and I had to move house unexpectedly just after our daughter was born. We only moved a couple of miles, but it meant that all the friends I'd made through my NCT class were no longer in walking distance. Because we didn't have a car at the time, I missed out on a lot of meet ups and support I would have otherwise had nearly on my doorstep.

From my point of view, go to the very local class, even if your partner can't attend. (Is there anyone else who could go with you? Your mum or a friend maybe? Also, if you think you might want to breastfeed, try to attend one of the local b/fing classes too. Maybe your partner could go with you to that one? I didn't do the b/fing class, but in restrospect I wish I had.)

Good luck! xx

[philiphenslowe]

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful replies. I just needed a bit of reassurance. I'm going to book on to the local one at 35 weeks.

xx

[Pickle]

Definitely go for the local one - we had to do ours in Brixton, and the people on it were from different areas. It meant that we didn't really keep in touch as meet ups were difficult.