Ante-natal classes: hospital or NCT or Christine Hill? Post Reply

[fionapm]

I'm just starting to think about ante-natal classes and I'm not clear on the difference between the classes.

The hospital said they do courses, lots of people seem to do NCT, and a few of the girls at work have recommended Christine Hill to me.

Do the courses all cover the same thing, but in different settings?

Christine sounds fabulous, but is based in Chiswick. Is there anyone similar around Balham / Clapham / Wandsworth? Not sure it's much use having Mummy mates who are so far away...

Thanks all

[emmielou]

I looked into Christine hill but decided it was quite far from here and the big thing for me was to meet local mums...so I opted for the nct classes and was really lucky to meet a great group of girls...we still meet now and even though there are three of us left in London we all still keep in touch!

I would guess they all cover much and such the same thing plus if you do the nct ones you'll save yourself a few bob! Xx

[twice_as_nice]

Two main reasons you do them are for information and for meeting other people in the same situation...

Hospital antenatal classes depend on the hospital. I was at chelsea and westminster and I think we did about 3 classes, with partners. There were quite a lot of people there and whilst they were quite informative, there wasn't as much focus on 'getting to know one another' or an assumption that you would meet up afterwards as there is with NCT (a big focus of NCT is about creating a network of local mums to meet up with afterwards).

Having said that, we did exchange emails at the hospital one and I do see a couple of the other mums quite regularly (actually more regularly than my NCT lot as all but myself and another mum have moved out of the area).

NCT also do a breastfeeding session as part of their classes, and they focus a lot more on 'your choices' than typically a hospital one might.

If your'e doing NCT I'd suggest also doing the hospital ones too if you can afford the time.

Haven't heard of Christine Hill, but I do know that there was a private antenatel course that used to run in wandsworth which was probably a similar thing. I can't remember her name but she used to run the classes at Wandsworth Cupcake (now closed down) - if you call Putney cupcake I'm sure they could tell you her name. If you can't find it, PM me as I know someone who did it, so I could ask her for you.

[anootka]

NCT definitely.
You'll be matched up to mums in your local area with similar due dates as you. Really makes a difference. My eldest is almost 3 and I see someone from my NCT group at least once a week, they are all great girls and 4 of us have now had number 2, so now the meet ups are really big. GOod luck!

[Kristin]

I teach HypnoBirthing which gives you the skills and techniques to make your pregnancy and birth much calmer, more comfortable and positive, whatever route your baby takes. They're life skills so are also useful in many other areas of life, both for you and your partner.

I offer various different options from a short Practical Workshop, full evening classes for small groups, VIP Private courses and even an online course to download if you want to keep the costs down.

If you're looking for midwife led classes then do contact Sofie Jacobs who runs amazing courses in E.Dulwich (please mention my name to her, she's just lovely).

NCT is great for the social aspect so if you're able to do that as well as a birth preparation class then yes, go for it.

Please do call if you'd like to have a chat or try a free HypnoBirthing mp3 download,
warm wishes, Kristin

Kristin Hayward
07963 046 456
www.kristinhayward.com
www.nestlondon.com ... specialist team of midwives & therapists for fertility, pregnancy, birth and early years

[sandraletitia]

I am an NCT teacher in Wimbledon and Wandsworth but there are also plenty of classes in your area - go to www.nct.org.uk for details and how to book.
Glad to hear others' comments about classes and they pretty much say it all.
NCT also runs NCTRelax, Stretche and Breathe classes as well as Yoga for Pregnancy.
If you are interested in using hypnosis techniques I will be running Natal Hypnotherapy ™ workshops from April in South WImbledon but easily accessible form the Northern line, South Wimbledon tube. Maggie Howell's "Effective Birth Preparation " and a CD are included. See my website for details. www.birthconfidence.com.
Whatever you choose to do I have to agree with all the comments about the importance of making local friends - they will be your lifeline for many months and possibly years to come!

[VickiScott]

It was New Baby Company who ran the classes at The Westover in Earlsfield Road (where Cupcake was until recently) -I was one of the teachers at the time. I now run New Baby, and we hold classes at The Westover in Brompton Cross, and at Babylist, which is just over Wandsworth Bridge in Fulham.
Our evening course is run by midwives and a maternity consultant-specialist teachers in their area. For more information please give me a call on 0208 785 3528 or 07960 611987. The website is http://www.newbabycompany.com

[suelewisantenatal]

Like Christine Hill I too am an Obstetric Physiotherapist running private Ante natal classes in Wimbledon.www.suelewisantenatal.co.uk The classes are small and friendly (hospital classes may be large) for couples in the evening or weekends or 1:1s to fit into busy diaries . You meet other local couples having babies at the same time.
After the delivery I run Post natal/Pilates-style classes with a creche for the babies.
I wish you good luck and do contact me if I can help you ,being medically qualified I can also help with any problems in pregnacy eg back or pelvic pain/divaricated abdominal muscles/pelvic floor problems etc !
Sue Lewis