Can NCT classes cause anxiety in new mums?

For sleep coach Nicole Ratcliffe, who attended six years ago, she wished they covered more on what life is like post-birth with a newborn. 

‘My initial thoughts in classes were that it was helpful that they talked about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of immediate skin-to-skin.’

‘It felt like we were focusing on the here and now, and that we should practice nappy changes on a doll, and then get a birth plan,’ she says.

‘But I felt they didn’t cover what happens once the baby actually arrives and how to cope if you have to rip the birthing plan up.’

‘There seemed to be no understanding of sleep and when to help them nap, it was just said that a “new baby sleeps a lot”, which is no good when you have a baby that doesn’t sleep!’

‘Sleep and maternal mental health are so closely linked, and without accurate knowledge and support, it felt like they were setting us up to struggle. This is without the hormones playing a part,’ Nicola continues.

Nicola also felt that support with feeding, sleep and parental understanding of emotions could help many from struggling with their mental health. 

‘I felt there was not enough discussion on aftercare support or disorders such as PND, or PNA.

‘Possible PTSD from birth trauma, or that birth trauma is an actual thing wasn’t spoken about.

‘And, of course, the loneliness that can come with having a room full of people around you but feeling completely isolated at the same time.’ 

Post-natal depression is common among new mothers, and in the UK, at least one in 10 women will suffer from depression after birth, which can start anytime in the first year. Symptoms can include a persistent feeling of sadness, lack of energy and loss of interest in day-to-day life. 

The NCT website offers a separate course for the early days post-birth as well as courses to learn to feed.

‘We launched NCT Antenatal, designed to help parents explore their options and navigate their own personal journey, whatever birth, feeding or caring decisions they make,’ an NCT spokesperson comments.

Victoria Warnes, the founder of Our Baby Club, believed attending classes to be the right thing to do at the time, but she wanted to see more focus on the transition to parenthood and believes the information has not been updated to cater for the modern parent.  

‘We were asked to look at photos of couples giving birth which had been taken from the 1970s which felt unrelatable for me. From the lack of choice presented for birth and feeding to the materials and resources, it felt outdated.’

‘Words such as ‘natural’ birth and breastfeeding were used frequently. They would say it is the most natural thing in the world, your body is designed to do it – a narrative that stays with you. This can set you up for feeling a failure when your birth or feeding path goes a different way,’ Victoria remembers.

‘We weren’t told how to make up a bottle or that it was even an option. In one class we were told to poo in the dark to prepare for childbirth – whilst this was very entertaining, it didn’t prepare me for what was to come!’

She also believes there was no groundwork for changing relationships and the postnatal period.

‘There are also huge changes in identity, establishing support networks and returning to work- all of which I believe are fundamental in becoming a new parent.’

NCT says, ‘We are not here to tell parents what to think or to promote one way or another, we want to empower parents to confidently make decisions that are right for them and their family.’

‘We take feedback very seriously and we are here to listen and to help. We are committed to ensuring every parent has a positive experience.’

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