"Antenatal classes"

My wife and I are having our first baby and we are trying to find an antenatal class to attend. All our friends have said that they all had 2 free NHS antenatal classes. When we asked our midwife how we go about getting antenatal classes we were told that east sussex had to make cuts and the antenatal classes went. We have joined NCT and found out they want £256 + a £40 joining fee or the only one other private antenatal classes in our area are £150 for a 4 hour workshop. We are really struggling to get face to face time with someone to give us advice on parent craft, pregnancy and giving birth without forking out the cost of a pram for a few hours. Our mid wife gives us 5minutes at best because she has people queuing to see her. How do we get Antenatal classes with a real person and without paying through the teeth?