Antenatal Classes

Antenatal_bumpPlease do consider coming along to one (or more!) of our Branch Social Evenings where you can meet informally with other parents and expectant parents and chat about your pregnancy with people who will be happy to share your highs and lows!

For more information, please contact the branch (info@nctmedway.org.uk). 

If you or your partner are pregnant, we recommend you attend our antenatal classes & join Medway NCT.

Here are the dates for upcoming courses:

***STOP PRESS***
Extra NCT Antenatal Class in Gillingham

Due to unexpectedly high demand, we will be running an additional NCT Antenatal Class in Gillingham from 25th August - 5th September for parents expecting late September - early November. Please forward to a pregnant friend if this may be of interest. You can find more details about NCT classes here: www.nct.org.uk/courses and can book direct by emailing: bookings4i@nct.org.uk

Faversham based NCT antenatal courses
(C502) 15 September - 6 October 2012

Gillingham based antenatal courses
(C506) 3 - 20 October 2012

For more details of individual class dates & times, cost of the course (up to 90% discounts are available based upon income) & the type of subjects covered during the course, please contact bookings4i@nct.org.uk or call 0844 243 6920. Alternatively, please feel free to call the antenatal teacher, Rachel Stead, directly on 07814 992971.

“As a first time Dad I didn't have a clue what to expect or what was expected of me as a parent. At the NCT classes it was ok to ask stupid questions safe in the knowledge that I was among friends who were in the same boat. It also showed me that my role as a Dad was important. Now, two years on, I still have the circle of friends from the NCT classes, who still share experiences - ups and downs - as we enjoy our new families together. I can only but recommend these classes to you.” Matt, June 2005

Our Classes

These are small, informal & friendly groups for parents expecting babies around the same time.

The aim of these classes is to give information & provide an opportunity to ask questions, talk through birth plans, discuss feelings & make informed choices about your labour and your baby's birth.

We seek to give impartial, comprehensive information in an informal, friendly setting. As every birth is different, we discuss all the possible paths labour may take, including inductions and caesareans, as well as normal labour.

Plenty of time is also devoted to life after the birth; recovering, coping and caring for and feeding your baby. A separate breastfeeding session is also included in the course, with a trained NCT breastfeeding counsellor and you may also have a session with a Postnatal Leader.

Classes also have a reunion after their babies are born and class members are helped and encouraged to keep in touch & offered postnatal support. (See 'Postnatal Classes' page)

Course Tutors

Our classes are run by qualified teachers holding a Diploma in Antenatal Education and are, therefore, specially trained to help women and couples prepare for birth.

The Antenatal teacher for Medway is Rachel Stead. You can read more about her story by clicking on her profile.

In addition, all teachers are NCT registered trained teachers ensuring that our antenatal teachers undergo a thorough training with the NCT before they are allowed to teach.

Although they are not required to be medically qualified, all teachers, counsellors and leaders are expected to keep up to date with the latest developments in maternity care and must register with the NCT every year.

The teacher will create an atmosphere in which we hope you will be able to air your feelings and concerns about pregnancy & birth. Their role is to offer support, information, practical skills and resources to help parents make informed choices for themselves and their babies.

Class teachers do not offer medical advice and parents are asked to take any questions about the medical care of mother & baby to their midwife, health visitor or doctor.

Course Content

We include the following information & discussion within the course:

  • pregnancy - what happens in labour & how the baby is born.
  • the message that having a baby is part of a normal healthy process.
  • body awareness, relaxation, breathing & massage.
  • positions for labour & birth.
  • pain relief, exploring natural & drug assisted methods
  • some of the complications of labour that might occur, including discussion of caesarean birth.
  • the role of a partner or other labour supporter and their needs.
  • the less usual situations parents experience, such as having a premature or ill baby.
  • the needs of the new baby.
  • feeding your baby, including the benefits of breastfeeding.
  • parenting & the changes a new baby brings to a family.

Class Information

In Medway, our antenatal sessions sometimes run as part of a longer perinatal course, offering sessions both before and after you have your baby. This helps you build a strong support network and give you opportunities to share early experiences as well as preparing you for the birth and arrival of your baby. We do also offer some intensive courses, to increase availability to a greater number of parents. Classes are usually held over a variety of evening and Saturday sessions, often with one daytime session for women only. 

Our classes are run in small groups to ensure that people are comfortable enough to ask questions and try relaxation techniques, positions, massage, etc. Although classes are aimed at couples, singles are also welcome and may like to bring a friend/relative.

In this way, many groups become friends and stay in touch long after their classes have finished.

As our classes are in great demand, we recommended early booking. Costs vary depending on the length of the course and whether or not they include postnatal sessions. The perinatal courses which we run most often cost approximately £240. We offer a reduced rate for those on low incomes. 

We do recommend that you join NCT when enrolling.

Postnatal courses are now also available.

Testimonials

Time and time again we get great feedback on our courses. Here is just a small selection:

"Excellent course, great balance of teaching methods"

"This course was DEFINITELY an essential  baby/parent purchase!"

"I liked the way in which the course opened up conversations with my other half about the birth"

"The class was really informative; The teacher is obviously very passionate about the subject, but didn't come over as being preachy"

"After the course I felt much more confident about my choices and concerns"

"We all appreciate Rachel's passion and commitment to us as new parents"

"Before I came to NCT I though it would all be very hippy and preachy about natural birth. Actually, I found the class reflected the realities and possible difficulties of childbirth"

"The outlines of all the things that will happen...were brilliant and the kinaesthetic method of learning was great, I didn't feel like I was being lectured at all"

"We found the course extremely useful in discussing my first child's birth properly and helped me feel more prepared for our second child"

"I loved that the course was 'Couple' Centred"

"I really enjoyed it and I am glad I did it. As ever, Rachel was a great course leader. Thank you!"

"Rachel is excellent at what she does - an asset to NCT"

 

Enrolment

Please visit the national NCT website (www.nct.org.uk) and use their course finder facility to select an appropriate course for you. You will be view to see the dates and details about suitable courses at this stage. If there does not seem to be an appropriate course or you have any specific needs or questions, please use the same enquiry form on the website to send your message to our Parent Services Administrator, or if necessary, please phone her on 0844 243 6920 or email her at bookings4i@nct.org.uk

(If you live in the Maidstone area you may like to contact your local branch on 0870 444 8707 or e-mail: Eventsmaidstone@aol.com)