National Childbirth Trust - Wycombe & District Branch WHAT DO YOU GET FOR YOUR NCT MEMBERSHIP?		Close window

Have you ever asked yourself this question, "What do I get for my membership?" My answer to you is Nothing. Nothing that you can hold in your hand. Maybe you thought at least you got a newsletter with your membership, but noticed that non-members can get newsletters too. Maybe you thought at least you got to attend the events, but you've noticed non-members at events too. Maybe you thought that you got help with breastfeeding from NCT counsellors, But you know that non-members receive the same help. Maybe you went along to Bumps & Babes, but met non-members there. Maybe you thought your membership gained you discounted entry to NCT events, but noticed non-members giving the same amount at the door. So, maybe now you've decided, why should I join the NCT? I get nothing for my membership fee. I can have it all for nothing. Let me tell you what I have gotten for my membership. I was new to the area and wondered how in the world would I learn how the hospital and surgery systems worked in this area. My neighbour told me where our local surgery was and gave me a phone number for the N.T.C. So, I rang and found out about classes. I thought those were a great idea and sent back the class booking form, along with my membership form. Little did I know what I was going to "get" for my membership! I kept asking people if they knew anything about the N.T.C. People kept looking at me like I was an idiot and saying no. Only after I attended my first Bumps & Babes, did I realise that I had joined the N.C.T., the National Childbirth Trust. Oh, that did make more sense to me. The first Bumps & Babes that I attended at 7 months pregnant was a complete and utter shock. I had never seen so many babies in one room before. To me, it looked like pure chaos. I now know it wasn't. It was just a room full of mums and babes enjoying the morning. That hour I was there filled me with a great dose of reality. I really was pregnant. I really was going to have a b-a-b-y. Oh dear, what was I thinking?! I went home with a lot to think about. I had read up on every part of the birth experience during my pregnancy and by the time my husband and I attended the antenatal classes, I thought I knew it all. It was a pleasant surprise that I learned much more at the class than what I had read in books. I didn't know that the classes were a great way to meet people as well, so this was an added bonus. I met Sarah there and she is a one-in-a-million friend. We spent so much time together that first year, when our babies were small. I found out at the class how much support was available to me postnatally, as well. MAVA bra agents, breast-pump agents, Bumps & Babes, exercise classes and the breastfeeding counsellors. I also found out about the branch Local Experience Register, where I could ring a number and be put in contact with another mum who had been through practically any experience, for example, pre-eclampsia, home birth, caesarean, premature baby, clicky hips, eczema, postnatal depression, etc. Most important for me postnatally was help with breastfeeding from the NCT breastfeeding counsellors. I didn't want to leave my baby when she was small. Where else could I go, but to NCT events with a new baby? I could take Grace along to each coffee, event, meeting and exercise class that I attended. I never suffered postnatal depression and I was never lonely after Grace was born. I think one of the main reasons for me is because I had so many new friends to reach out to and so much support from the NCT. I feel that the £36 I sent in with my membership form was the best use of £36 that I ever gave. The subsequent membership of £26 that I give each year, is £26 that I give happily. I give because of the above reasons. I want other mums to have what I have been lucky to receive from the NCT and I want to ensure that the NCT, as a charity, will be alive years from now and be able to support my daughter, how it supported me. If no one ever gave to the NCT, then there would be no NCT. Beth Bejnarowicz Chair Godalming Branch