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Looking for an alternative to NCT in Nottingham?
- acotterill88
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
Mainstream antenatal courses like NCT can be a great option for lots of new parents...
Many families enrol primarily for the social aspect and others choose it because it's become such a well-known and established part of the antenatal education landscape in the UK.
I'm certainly not here to take NCT (or any other antenatal provider, for that matter) down. It's been popular for a long time, and for many families it is a really positive experience.
However, my approach to antenatal education is very much the same as my approach to birth itself: one size definitely does not fit all.
That's exactly why I created Birth, Unpacked - a comprehensive antenatal course designed for families who want evidence-based information, honest discussion, plenty of opportunity to ask questions, and space to work out what feels right for them.
Why some families decide to invest in an independant antenatal educator:
You can choose your teacher
One of the benefits of choosing an independent antenatal educator is that you get to choose the person teaching you. Antenatal education is surprisingly personal. Different educators bring different experiences, perspectives and teaching styles, and it's worth considering whether those align with what you're looking for. With a large organisation, you'll typically be allocated a course leader. With Birth, Unpacked, you'll know exactly who is teaching the course from the outset, and can decide whether my approach feels like the right fit for your family.
Smaller groups, more discussion
Many mainstream antenatal courses have large numbers of families attending, which can make it difficult to tailor discussions to individual circumstances or spend time exploring questions in depth.
Birth, Unpacked is intentionally small, with a maximum of five couples per course. This creates a more relaxed and intimate learning environment where families can get to know one another, ask questions freely, and explore topics in greater depth.
There is plenty of space for discussion, and no such thing as a silly question.
Learning from someone who regularly supports births of all kinds
Alongside teaching antenatal education, I also work as a practising doula, supporting families through birth at home and in hospitals across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, including QMC, Nottingham City Hospital, Royal Derby Hospital and King's Mill Hospital.
Supporting births in real life gives me a unique perspective on how birth unfolds in different settings. It also means I have an understanding of how local maternity services work in practice, helping families prepare for the realities of birth as well as the theory.
Independent and Family-Centred
One of the benefits of working with an independent antenatal educator is that I am not affiliated with any hospital, trust or maternity service. That means I don't have policies, targets or protocols to promote. Instead, my role is to help you understand your options, explore the evidence, and work out what feels right for you and your family.
Of course, most families will still choose to access NHS maternity care, and understanding how the system works and how to navigate it, is a crucial part of antenatal education.
My aim isn't to tell you what decisions to make, but to help you feel informed, confident and actively involved in those decisions.
More flexibility and individualisation
Because groups are kept intentionally small, I have the flexibility to tailor each course to the families attending.
Over the years I have supported families navigating a wide range of circumstances, including complex pregnancies, twin births, VBACs, inductions and more. Before the course begins, each family completes a registration form, giving me the opportunity to understand their individual situation and identify any topics that may be particularly relevant to them.
This means I can bring additional resources, research and information where appropriate, helping to ensure the course feels relevant to the people in the room rather than following a fixed script.
Emphasis on partners and postpartum
In Birth, Unpacked, birth partners are encouraged to be active participants rather than passive observers. Supporting someone through labour is a huge responsibility, and the right support can make a significant difference to the whole experience.
Throughout the course, we explore practical ways that birth partners can offer support, helping them feel confident, informed and involved.
And if your chosen birth partner isn't a romantic partner, that's absolutely fine. Whether it's your mum, a friend, a sibling or someone else entirely, they are welcome to attend. If attending with a birth partner isn't possible, I'll be your partner for the time you are with me!
Postpartum preparation is also an important part of the course. Many families spend months preparing for birth but very little time thinking about what comes afterwards.
As well as practical postnatal planning, we discuss topics such as feeding, normal newborn behaviour, infant sleep, attachment, recovery and the realities of early parenthood, helping families feel better prepared for life beyond birth.
Birth, Unpacked at a glance
Maximum 5 couples
Evidence-based information shared in a balanced way
Hypnobirthing tools
Discussion-led sessions
Strong emphasis on partner involvement
Physical and emotional preparation for birth
Covers physiological birth, induction, caesarean birth, VBAC/HBAC and postpartum
Taught by a practising doula and antenatal educator
You can find more about the full course, including testimonials from my previous groups here.
Birth, Unpacked might be right for you if:
You want to understand how capable and strong you are
You want to feel seen, supported, and respected throughout your birth experience
You want a welcoming, inclusive space that respects all families and identities
You want an informed, involved birth partner
You want to understand a range of different birth scenarios, and what they might look like in practice
You want to build a supportive local network around you
It might not be right for you if:
You don't want to question and challenge the flaws in current maternity care
You don’t want space to reflect on how you actually feel about birth
You’re looking for a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach
You’re not open to hearing a range of perspectives or possibilities
Curious about Birth, Unpacked?
Birth, Unpacked was created for families who want more than an overview of one type of birth and a few breathing techniques.
If you're looking for small groups, thoughtful discussion, evidence-based information and preparation for both birth and postpartum, I'd love to welcome you onto a future course.
Find out more about upcoming dates and availability, or get in touch for an informal chat.
If you would like an even more personalised experience, I also offer 1:1 courses from the comfort of your own home. Find more about Birth, Unpacked 1:1 here.
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