NCT

Signing up for NCT antenatal classes ranks alongside buying a Bugaboo pram and joining Mumsnet for many middle-class pregnant women.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

Amy Maclean, from the NCT, said that she had seen the make-up of her classes become more middle class over the years as the charity's prices had increased and, while discounts were offered to the poorest families, the extra paperwork they needed to fill out often put people off.

Middle class flock to private antenatal care as cuts bite 2011

Despite a discount scheme from the NCT for the poorest families, a two-tier antenatal system is emerging, where less well-off women have little access to the advice and support so crucial for first-time mothers.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

For some, the letters NCT conjure up images of teachers proselytising about drug-free labour to a group of parents who favour cloth nappies and think formula milk is akin to feeding your baby neat gin.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

In contrast, the NCT classes were held in the teacher's home where far more subjective advice was served up along with cups of tea and biscuits.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

The charity says an estimated 11% of first births in the UK – one in nine – are born to a parent who attended NCT classes.

Middle class flock to private antenatal care as cuts bite 2011

Having experienced both NCT and NHS classes, I found the latter were more objective.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

Teaching kids who can't yet talk to do the sign for "My nappy is full and I'm going to have a huge meltdown in front of your NCT group if you don't change it right now!" is big business these days, but with his friendly face and penchant for cross-dressing, Justin even has one-year-olds at it.

It's a good week for … Daytime learning 2011

These are extreme examples, and pain relief, Caesarians and bottle feeding are all up for discussion at NCT classes.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011

New figures show that there has been a boom in the number of women paying around £200 to attend a course of private NCT sessions – a jump from 25,000 in 2005/6 to 40,000 in 2010/11 – while the provision of free NHS classes in austerity Britain is increasingly patchy.

Antenatal care goes two-tier as NCT classes boom and NHS classes are cut back. But who's suffering most? | Lucy Rock 2011