My Baby and I

NCT Antenatal Classes

While some might believe that ignorance is bliss, I take the view that knowledge is power, and so have been busy finding out as much information as I can about pregnancy, birth, and babies right from the time we were trying to conceive. I found the Internet to be generally a good resource for finding information, although I found it also made me more of a worrier when I read about all the things that could go wrong! Magazines and books also provide a great source of information.

However, I would highly recommend the NCT’s (National Childbirth Trust) antenatal classes to any parents-to-be. It’s a great opportunity to learn about pregnancy, labour and coping with a new born in a supportive environment where there is no such thing as a stupid question. The classes are led by trained antenatal teachers who have usually been through the experience themselves a few times.

What I particularly liked about the sessions is that they focus not only on the physical and practical side of labour and birth, but also on the emotional and psychological parts of it, as well as giving really good advice to the fathers to be (or whoever your birth partner may be) about how they can be a help and support during labour and after the birth.

The sessions are usually held at the weekends and in the evenings so both parents can attend. The classes consist of a small number of couples, who attend each session so you can build up a rapport with the group and hopefully make some life long friends.

You normally have to pay for the classes but a year’s membership is included in the price, which allows you to attend NCT events such as coffee mornings and nearly new sales.

For more information visit the NCT’s website.

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