National Childbirth Trust

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

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

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History

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^[1]. At that time the rules of childbirth dictated that women did as their doctors told them. Very little information about pregnancy and birth was available. 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^[2].

Key Dates

• 1961 renamed the National Childbirth Trust, given charitable status. Begin publishing leaflets.
• 1967 Breastfeeding Promotion Group and Teachers' Panel formed, setting training standards and services. NCT lobbies Government to research techniques thoroughly and end the overuse of interventions.
• 1980 Postnatal Committee set up, leading to Parentability (support group for disabled parents) and other support groups.
• 1989 NCT becomes a Company Limited by Guarantee
• 1991 NCT gives evidence to Winterton Committee based on its own research
• 1994 Report of the Expert Maternity Group, on which Eileen Hutton, NCT's then President, was a member, is adopted as Government policy for England and Wales
• 1995 NCT Publishing established
• 1997 Antenatal teacher training was now validated by the University of Luton
• 1999 Parentability becomes an independent organisation, the Disabled Parents Network.
• 2001 National Breastfeeding Line and NCT website nctpregnancyandbabycare.com launched
• 2005 NCT website revised and updated to nct.org.uk

In two generations, the NCT has transformed almost every aspect of maternity care, for the benefit of mothers, fathers and children.

Activities

The Trust's activities include parentcraft classes, breastfeeding advice and organising nearly new sales. Bumps and Babies groups organised by the charity bring together mothers with babies of a similar age for support and socialising. The NCT campaigns on issues such as providing support for breastfeeding mothers and the Nestlé boycott.

The National Childbirth Trust's trading arm raises funds for the charity through its online shop, www.nctsales.co.uk, offering a wide selection of products and information for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, including an extensive range of nursing bras. All profits go to the charity to support its work.

Sources

1. ^ http://www.pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/grantly.htm Pregnancy Today
2. ^ "The NCT in the 20th century", National Childbirth Trust, December 16, 2004