National Childbirth Trust

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is a UK-based charity with registered charity number 801395.

The National Childbirth Trust is a charity offering information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.

The National Childbirth Trust, originally called The Natural Childbirth Trust, was founded in 1956 as the result of an advertisement placed in The Times by Prunella Briance. Briance was inspired by the writings of British obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read, who is regarded by many as the father of natural childbirth, and became the first president of the NCT. At that time the rules of childbirth dictated that women did as their doctors told them. The resulting ignorance bred fear, and fear led to pain and a lack of support in childbirth and early parenthood.

Briance's advertisement announced "A Natural Childbirth Association is to be formed for the promotion and better understanding of the Dick-Read system. Anyone interested write Box...". The inaugural meeting was held on January 29, 1957 at Caxton Hall with Grantly Dick-Read as one of the speakers. The NCA became the Natural Childbirth Trust in 1958.

The Trust's activities include parentcraft classes (ante-natal and in some areas post-natal), breastfeeding support and information and organising nearly new sales. Local branches pursue a wide variety of projects on a volunteer basis, from publishing newsletters with local content for parents, to running major fundraising events such as sponsored toddles and charity balls. A quarterly magazine, NCT Matters, published by Axon Publishing, communicates its activities to all members.

NCT runs courses for parents-to-be and new parents all over the UK and the Channel Islands. These courses are facilitated by diploma-trained professionals, and focus on providing evidence-based information about pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Class groups are kept intentionally small - both to promote interactivity and to allow parents to develop a social support network.

Whilst the NHS offers equivalent courses for free, NCT courses are priced per hour, and the hourly rate depends on:

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