In Britain I used to work on behalf of the National Childbirth Trust and couples would book months in advance to get a place on a course as well as going to the hospital ones, so it's a bit of culture shock for me here!!
Hi Stephanie
Tell me about it :-) In Aylesbury we had clients booking NCT classes as soon as they became pg - I could have taught nearly all day and everyday (especially after Milton Keynes hospital stopped offering classes). Here is a different story.
As an example - a colleague at work (I'm a Patent Attorney), and a partner of the firm is pg (well his wife is) . They are young, married, professional, white, middle class i.e. your (stereo)typical NCT client. I mentioned to him about our classes, but he was completely ambivalent about the idea of going to classes outside the hospital (he was going to 1 or 2 hospital classes - and felt that was enough). He felt no need for anything outside the hospital system - that were going to look after them. There is no "culture" here it would seem of looking for extra education, with a different emphasis, and "independent of "the system".
As you say, the small groups fostered an incredible mutual support system - which was perhaps one of the most important things we were able to provide.
Mel and I are marketing our classes on that basis - small groups, friendly, mutually supportive, client led etc. However - still no takers.
Will let you know how we go.
Debbie
