antinatal courses - advice needed

[goldilocks]

Does anyone have any advice re antinatal classes in the area? I was looking on the NCT website but the intensive courses for my due date all seem to be Brixton/ Herne Hill borders based if I want a weekend course.

I'm surprised there isn't anything in East Dulwich - but wondered whether anyone had done these courses and had any advice whether I'd be better to try for the W Dulwich one - although its on Fridays? I'm just concerned that everyone says that the courses are a great way to meet people with the same due date who you'll hopefully keep in touch with, but if people are coming from Brixton it seems quite far away from East Dulwich to be meeting up - not sure about the logistics of the 37 bus with a pushchair rather than just walking somewhere!

Also - do I really need to consider this so early - my 12 week scan isn't until mid April so all seems quite early.

Any advice much appreciated.

[alibo]

I can;t advise you where to go but I can advise you that considering it early is good because by the time I started looking at them at around 30 weeks it was too late. I had really bad morning sickness from week 8 onwards so just didn't have the energy to consider anything, so yes get in early if you can. I was advised that there are drop in sessions at Peckham pulse in case of need.

[BeccaL]

We did the herne hill course and didn't really stay in touch with the people there - the east Dulwich postnatal tea groups were where I met good friends who I still see regularly - course was useful for what to expect so i'd say worth doing

[jrthomas_uk]

We did the East Dulwich two day intensive course as the regular weeknight course had been fully booked for months and months. I was a bit worried that two days (2 consecutive Wednesdays) would not be enough time to bond with fellow parents-to-be but infact the group has become the best of friends, including the husbands, and we've all just been on holiday together.

Tess was the lady who ran the course. I would definitely call the NCT and book on now and the spaces go very early.

Good luck.

[snowboarder]

I would email/call the Southwark antenatal nct person - I couldn't understand the website either and I think some of the courses are not on there - so don't despair!

[goldilocks]

Thanks for that - I was really surprised there was nothing east of Herne Hill at all showing up on the website. I've filled in a form to register interest for a W Dulwich intensive course but said that ideally I was looking for something in East Dulwich. Hopefully if there is a course which doesn't show up they'll let me know. Thanks again everyone for all your help.

[sillywoman]

Goldilocks, I'm one of the ED teachers and I have intensive courses running in ED at least once a month, sometimes twice, up until Christmas (except August), I'm also running one long course a month, with the same exception.

If you email, or phone my booking secretary Alison Johnson on 0844 243 6921, or bookings4h@nct.org.uk then you'll get a real live (really nice) person to help you, much better than the website, which seems to be causing much confusion al round.

[Ko]

yes alison is lovely when you are trying to book the course. the nct courses are fab - very informative and invaluable i thought. the places do get booked up very quick though.

[goldilocks]

Thanks Sillywoman and everyone else for the advice. I"ll get in touch with Alison.

[newcomer]

Re the last bit of your question - it's not too early to be considering this. In fact, nurseries, NCT and midwives all need to be considered very early on indeed as they all get booked up very fast. I know that it feels very strange to be arranging such things when you've perhaps not even told your own family yet, but in your own interests it makes sense.