NCT Classes…25 Things They Don’t Tell You…But Definitely Should

Are you thinking about taking NCT classes or an NCT antenatal classes? We did take one when I was pregnant for the first time.

So what are NCT classes? Are NCT groups worth the expense? And what are the things about pregnancy, labour and babies they don’t tell you on NCT courses, but probably should?

Are You Pregnant And Thinking About Taking NCT Classes?

This weekend we were having lunch at the pub and at the next table was an NCT group on their first post-baby reunion. It reminded me of our NCT group and the NCT classes we took when I was pregnant.

And then it made me think of all the things they don’t tell you in NCT classes…

It was obviously an NCT group. There was a lot of handshaking, hugging and barely contained hysteria. All the babies were tiny, new and being clutched slightly too tightly by the glazed-eyed dads and happy / manic-looking mums.

There was a line of sparkly, mud-free prams, no-one had a clue how to fold them. One of the mums freaked out about getting hers up two steps because ‘There’s no ramp, what do I do?’

There was a small ruckus every time a baby cried, and much respectful eye averting every time someone got a boob out.

It was awkward, sweet and lovely, and I was both very glad it wasn’t us and also weirdly nostalgic for the time when it was.

What Are NCT Classes?

NCT classes are pre-baby education classes on late pregnancy, childbirth and the early baby days. Lead by an instructor, and usually taking place in their house or in a local hall, the classes usually consist of a small group of women and couples.

Each week you learn about a different topic, from the placenta (you’ll look at photos) through to pain relief and breathing techniques for labour, to baby-related topics like breastfeeding and nappies.

There’s usually a post-baby reunion, and of course the all-important contact sharing so you can keep in touch with your group.

Are NCT Classes Worth The Expense?

Often billed as an expensive introduction service, we took an NCT pre-childbirth course because we wanted to make friends with other pregnant couples, obviously, but also because were pretty clueless about babies.

Lots of people take the courses for the chance to meet other parents-to-be. While it’s not a given you’ll get on, we got lucky with our group and still see them all the time now, for parties and play dates and wine. We’re now approaching ten years of friendship with our group and it was worth every penny.

We did also cover a reasonable amount of valuable baby info (breastfeeding a doll upside down, looking at photos of a placenta and simulating labour while bouncing on a ball aside).

Here Are 25 Things They Don’t Tell You In NCT Classes, But Definitely Should:

But thinking back to that time, and watching the group in the pub, it struck me that while NCT does a good job of telling you some things, there’s a whole load that’s missed out, the things they definitely don’t tell you in NCT classes, about birth to babies and far beyond, much further down the line.

NCT Classes – 25 things they don’t tell you:

1. No matter how many courses you take or books you read, nothing prepares you for that first moment when it’s just the two of you and the baby at home, and you look at each other to say ‘now what?’
2. Afterpains
3. The hormonal horrors of Day Three
4. How to fold your freakishly expensive pram
5. The post-baby night sweats (no-one ever mentions those! Why?)
6. This
7. That this is real
8. And all these
9. How to function on no sleep…
10. …and that despite no sleep you will still function. Honestly
11. That at some point you’ll probably cry about how much you love your baby, or because you’ve run out of biscuits, or both (see 3)
12. How despite taking multiple exams, getting a degree and climbing the dizzy heights of the career ladder, cutting your tiny precious baby’s nails will be the most stressful thing you’ve ever done
13. All that lovely thick pregnancy hair? It’ll fall out and you’ll be left with a halo of uncontrollable re-growth
14. How the only topic in baby groups from months and months after is giving birth, which you’ll discuss time and time again
15. How easily you’ll talk about the state of your post-baby vagina after a bottle* of wine (*glass)
16. And just how bad the first post-pregnancy hangover is
17. What it’s impossible to do one handed (butter toast) and what it is possible to do one handed (everything else, including using the Calpol syringe, because you’re a wonderwoman)
18. That you don’t have to love it all, but there’s an awful lot you will love
19. That it really does get easier
20. And it can be tricky but also a ridiculous amount of fun
21. That birth and the early days are only a tiny percentage of the story, and it’s what comes next that’s the ongoing challenge
22. That pretty soon you’ll be applying for schools for your child and be completely floored, because didn’t you just give birth to them and how is this even possible?
23. How nothing changes when you have a baby but everything does, from not being able to watch films to relationships and jobs, from never sleeping normally again to looking round every time a baby cries in public and having that jarring feeling when your children aren’t with you, and that having a child really really is like having a piece of your heart outside your body, which is at once both amazing but also frighteningly fragile at times
24. At what point you should stop calling your NCT friends NCT friends and just call them friends, because you’ve spent the majority of the last couple of years with them and they know more about you – and your post-birth sex life – than most people
25. That it’s OK that you still don’t really know what you’re doing, because everyone else is basically winging it too.

How Do You Book NCT Classes?

• You can book NCT classes through the NCT website, which will give you information on the courses and how you can proceed
• You’ll be grouped together with other people in your area – we were in a group of six couples who all lived closely in the same part of SE London.
• Other antenatal classes are available! You can also attend free NHS childbirth classes – ask your midwife for advice.

Once You’ve Read This Post On NCT Classes, Read These:

• Weird things no-one tells you about your body after pregnancy
• Unique girl names for babies and unique boy names
• For more tips and baby advice follow me on Pinterest

More posts for once you’ve had the baby…baby milestone cards for mums, things I love about being a mum of two and an open letter to sleep.