National Childbirth Trust

Today I filled in my NCT antenatal forms, albeit a bit late.

A lot of my friends have raved about NCT groups in my area, mainly because of the friends they met during the course who they have kept in touch with. I knew I wanted to do NCT rather than traditional NHS antenatal courses from the start but unfortunately no one really told me when to apply. I thought the classes stated at about 30 weeks but apparently its earlier just in case you are premature.

In an ideal world I would have thought my mid-wife would of told me when I needed to apply for antenatal classes but no such luck. In fact so far my mid-wife (or wives as I have had two) have been nice but in a rush... so busy in fact that they haven't even just asked 'How are you?'. Why the NHS is laying people off rather than employing more is beyond me. Guess I need to have a word with Tony Blair.

Back to NCT. The first step I took to get in touch with my local group was going on to www.nct.org.uk and find my local groups telephone number. The site isn't the best to navigate around and I was a little disappointed that there wasn't an email address and again I couldn't find any information on WHEN I needed to apply for my classes. Maybe I just wasn't looking properly...

The local NCT lady I spoke to on the phone was really lovely and friendly. She congratulated me on my pregnancy and sent me the forms promptly for me to fill in. The pack sent was a little unstructured, but had lots of useful information on the local events and what NCT were all about. The cost of my course is £175 - a lot considering it can be free but I am sure it will be worth it. Well watch this space and I will tell you!

One little note if you are thinking about doing NCT. The cost includes a membership fee which apparently is not obligatory (it is in small print) . I have chosen to be a member as I am not really sure what I will miss out on if I don't become one but it costs £25 (or about that) so if you are a bit strapped for cash then that could be one way to save some money.

I went to Bingo tonight with mum for Mothers Day. I was hoping to win for once to buy a full furniture range for Bob (that's babies name until born by the way) from Mamas & Papas. No such luck... £30 down and I ate a 'Big Eat' packet of crisps and Bassets Jelly Babies. I wish I could control my eating!!!!!!