FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION
Who teaches the childbirth education class?
Our childbirth education classes are taught by a trained and experienced Childbirth Educator who has up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge of pregnancy and birthing practices. So you can be sure of receiving all the information you’ll need to help you understand pregnancy, labour and birth.
When and where are CBE classes held?
Classes are held on a weekday evening (7pm – 9pm) for seven weeks in a relaxed and supportive class environment at the Onewa Parents Centre rooms in the Rawene Centre, Birkenhead.
What topics are covered during the childbirth education class?
Pregnancy content:
– Pregnancy anatomy
– Pregnancy warning signs
– Discomfort and physical changes
– Foetal positioning
– What to take to the hospital
Labour and birth content:
– Signs and stages of labour
– Birth positions
– The role of the support person
– Coping strategies, self-help, relaxation and massage
– Interventions
– Informed decision making and consent
– Medical pain relief
– Vitamin K
Postnatal content:
– Infant feeding and winding
– Bathing
– Bedding and safe sleeping
– What you need to buy for baby
– Unexpected outcomes
– Postnatal depression
– Coping strategies in the early weeks
Will we have to watch a birth video?
We don’t show birth videos during the class. However the Childbirth Educator may put a link to a birth video on the class Facebook page which you can choose to watch.
How often do you run childbirth education courses?
We run 12 childbirth education courses throughout the year so we will have a course that works in with your due date.
What region do you cover?
We support families who live in and around Northcote, Birkenhead, Birkdale, Beach Haven, Hillcrest, Sunnybrae, Glenfield, Bayview, Milford, Takapuna and Devonport.
When should I be doing a childbirth education class?
You are usually 28 – 31 weeks when you start the course.
Will I get a coffee group?
At the end of your childbirth education course we’ll set up a coffee group for the mums and beer group for the dads. These groups allow course attendees to catch up regularly to share what’s happening with their new baby, vent, bounce ideas off each other, support each other and, most importantly, laugh. New parents who attend our childbirth education classes form strong friendships as they go through this exciting stage of their life together.
How much does it cost?
We offer an antenatal package that costs $295 and includes:
– 7 week Childbirth Education course for you and your partner or support person
– 6 week Baby & You course which is held soon after your baby\’s birth
– 1 year membership to Parents Centre – the largest network of parents in New Zealand
– Discounted Parenting Workshop courses
– Ongoing support, education and information around a number of parenting topics
– Access to our centre’s parenting library
When should I enroll for a childbirth education class?
Our courses are very popular and fill up quickly (maximum of 13 couples per course), so feel free to register as early in your pregnancy as you like. Please make sure you select the class that corresponds with your due date. If there are no spaces available, please email us at onewa@parentscentre.org.nz and we can put your name on a waitlist.
How do I enroll for a childbirth education class?
Register online here.
Cancellations
Cancellations within two weeks of the course commencing will incur a non-refundable booking fee of $50. Once the first session has commenced there is no refund.