Antenatal classes?

I think it depends what you want to do antenatal education for. I think NCT is mostly for the friends you make and the information isn’t completely informative. Whereas something like hypnobirthing is very informative and covers all of your options for birth so you can make informed choices and go into birth with less fear. There are some antenatal classes that are cheaper than NCT but I’m not sure what they cover.

Birth Companions

It would be worth talking to your midwife because in Oxfordshire they are giving nct classes for free to first time mums (I know your Gloucestershire)

The positive birth company x

I think it was the baby academy classes I had done with my first born. I only took the free courses and were very informative.

I’ve never done any nct courses but I did attend an antenatal class run by my local hospital and it was very informative. Could ask any questions I never attended as a first time mom but this time I have and learnt new things. X

I’m going to start private antenatal classes today. The one I’ve gone for is run by a midwife who is also still working at the hospital I’m going to have my baby at. When I was looking into them, NCT seemed very expensive and a bit generalised and impersonal, I went with the classes I’ve booked as she of course has knowledge of the hospital I’m being looked after at and reading her website and approach to birth and baby care felt more aligned with how I think I’ll want to do things with my baby. I heard about her through word of mouth but maybe have a dig on local Facebook pages or ask for recommendations near you online or from friends/colleagues ☺️