Many people choose NCT as their provider of antenatal information and as a way to meet other mums who are due around the same time. And that’s entirely logical and fine. NCT is very expensive however (£300 if I remember rightly... ) and tends to have a strong emphasis on breastfeeding which can lead to feelings of guilt if that doesn’t work out. Socially too, some meet lifelong friends from the group of 4-6 mums and others, well, don’t.
So I thought it’d be worth letting you know about other alternatives to learn more about birth and afterwards, including my pregnancy yoga classes of course!
Keeping Active in Pregnancy / Birth Preparation Classes
My pregnancy yoga classes, obviously. On a Wednesday evening in Claygate.
Antenatal Pilates - in Claygate
Swimming is also great. You can usually attend a normal aquafit class too if lane swimming isn't your thing.
Birth Preparation Classes
Noobies run by midwives from Kingston hospital. Some classes based in Surbiton and some in Kingston
NCT. The most commonly used course. Several evenings or a weekend of info.
Hypnobirthing. You can prepare to use hypnobirthing in your labour with a CD/book or with a course in person. I used Katherine Graves’ recording with my second pregnancy and found it super helpful for helping me to look forward to labour with a good sense of embracing the unknown.
Post Natal Classes / Help
This is more helpful/important than you might think. Most people are focused on the birth and don't quite get beyond that. BUT caring for a newborn is a whole new world and help is helpful! You may have an amazing mother / sister nearby to walk you through it all (lucky you!) but if not, it may be worth learning more.
My NCT classes explained how to change a nappy and wind a baby and explained how important it was to breastfeed and that was about it. I subsequently learnt A LOT from a local night nanny who came and spend three hours with me talking me through all the issues I was having and helping me resolve them (not least me using the clever Gro Swaddle upside down. Oops).
Kingston Hospital offer a one day parentcraft course
Post Natal Doula. This is a person who's trained to help you, at home, learn how to become a mother. Help with breastfeeding, winding and so much more.
I also found a huge amount of support via my mumsnet group of people who were all due at the same time. 6 years later, there are 42 of us in a facebook group, offering friendship, support and laughter, every day. We've met, we've sent parcels, flowers and care packages when people have needed them. I love my mumsnet group. You can find people due in the same month here.
Also there are plenty of ways to meet people after your baby is born , for example
at rhyme time at the library (10am on Wednesdays and Thursdays
at baby massage courses,
Mother and baby yoga (classes are starting in September 2018),
Buggyfit
sling meets
and via websites (mummysocial, mush and others).