The NCT was founded as the Natural Childbirth Association by Prunella Briance in 1956. She was interested in the philosophy behind the Grantly Dick-Read book, 'Childbirth Without Fear'. Dick-Read was a doctor whose experience had committed him to help make childbirth an easier and more fulfilling experience for women. He was convinced that fear heightened the pain of childbirth and fear led to tension which led in turn to more pain and he became a leading proponent of natural childbirth where women felt informed and comfortable with what was happening to them during labour.

Prunella placed an advert in The Times newspaper saying: "A Natural Childbirth Association is to be formed for the promotion and understanding of the Dick-Read system." From day one, campaigning for better rights and facilities for pregnant women and new parents has been at the heart of what NCT is about.

Looking at the original aims of the Natural Childbirth Trust in 1957 shows just how forward thinking the original group of women were in their day.

• That women should be humanely treated during pregnancy and in labour, never hurried, bullied or ridiculed

• That husbands should be present during labour if mutually desired

• That analgesia should not be forced on women in childbirth and nor should labour be induced merely to save time

• That more emphasis should be given to self-regulated breastfeeding and rooming-in allowed if the mother wants it, and that future maternity units should be designed with this in mind

• That a mother trained for natural childbirth should be allowed and encouraged to carry out her training fully during labour

• That all mothers should be encouraged to use natural childbirth for the benefit of themselves and their babies and that posters to this effect should be displayed at all antenatal clinics

• That the idea fostered by many medical people today that natural childbirth includes routine internal examinations, routine administration of analgesia, routine episiotomy should be dispelled

• As childbirth is not a disease, it should take place in the home wherever possible. If impossible, the maternity units should be homely and not frightening and in no way connected with 'hospital'

By 1961, the Association had become the National Childbirth Trust, a registered charity and during that decade, the movement grew quietly, but it was when feminism and consumerism grew in the 1970s that things took off and the NCT became more politicised.