What is the difference between NHS, NCT classes and Birth Matters courses?
Birth Matters courses are much smaller than NHS classes. Birth Matters courses typically last 18 hours so there is time to fully educate couples about the labour and birth experience. There is more time for individual questions and gives more chance for a group to bond. Meeting up in each others’ homes after the classes is also easier as a small group. Often NHS courses are rolling classes where attendees can start when they like and attend for as many or as few as they feel they need to. The defined start and end dates of Birth Matters courses allow the group the chance to grow together and lasting friendships are usually formed. Unlike NHS classes, Birth Matters classes are not linked to any hospital and teachers will be able to give you full details of the range of hospital and homebirth options open to you locally. Birth Matters courses are taught independently of the NCT so that we can run classes using teachers who live locally. We have teachers based in Marlow, Maidenhead, Winds
