How it works

NCT trained Birth Companions provide women, and their partners, with skilled physical and emotional assistance. They provide up-to-date knowledge, information and encouragement to help women have the type of labour and birth they desire. NCT Birth Compaions are all qualified professionals who have completed a nine-month course, developed by NCT in partnership with the University of Worcester.

An NCT Birth Companion will:-

• Meet with you three times before the birth
• Help you to put together a birth plan whether you are going to have your baby at home, in a birth centre or in hospital
• Stay with you throughout your labour and birth, and communicate with medical and midwifery staff so you can focus on your own needs
• Support you emotionally, offer you comfort measures such as massage, and help you use active birth skills, breathing and relaxation
• Support your partner during the labour
• Meet with you again after the birth to discuss your labour with you.

For women with due dates between end February and mid April 2012, Student NCT Birth Companions are available at a reduced price in certain areas. If you are interested in this service, please email b_companions@nct.org.uk

How to book

There is limited availability for the service, so please contact us to find out more on 07525 403674 or email: b_companions@nct.org.uk or contact one of the qualified NCT Birth Companions listed below.

• South West England
• Central England
• London & The South East
• Scotland & North of England
• South of England

Maternity units can also contact NCT to provide this service free of charge to women from disadvantaged groups or those with special needs during labour and birth.

Payment Plan

The service costs £600 (if you live in London it costs £800) and there are generous payment plans available. A percentage of the cost is donated back to the service to support a fund for vulnerable women.

The cost for a student Birth Companion is £250.

If you are unsure of the cost to you, please contact Alison Green on 07525 403674 or b_companions@nct.org.uk

Why choose an NCT Birth Companion?

Research has shown that women who receive continuous support in labour are more likely to give birth spontaneously, less likely to use pain medications, more likely to be satisfied with their birth experience and have a slightly shorter labour.

As Mary Nolan, Professor of Perinatal Education, University of Worcester, states; “Lots of studies show that supportive care from a woman during labour, in addition to that given by a midwife, helps the mother to feel more in control. She is less likely to need pain medication and more likely to have a straightforward birth.”

Alongside these physical benefits, the support of an NCT Birth Companion is designed to help women have a positive emotional experience of birth as well.

Rebecca Wierenga, who helped develop the course, says; “An NCT Birth Companion can support you whether you choose to give birth at home, in a birth centre, or in hospital. She will be the constant presence during your labour which so many women and their partners find invaluable. She is on hand to listen to you, support your decisions and help you understand what is happening. She is there to help you have the kind of birth you want.”

If you are interested in training to become an NCT Birth Companion, you can find more information here.