Our antenatal classes are informative, impartial and above all great fun. Each class is tailored to the needs of parents who want to learn about the practical elements of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for your newborn and make well informed decisions along the way.
Our classes are not just an opportunity to learn, but also to get excited about the arrival of your baby. We believe the lead-up to childbirth should be exciting, an opportunity to meet new people and share experiences.
Dates, Times and Locations
You have the option of taking classes either in Napier or Havelock North.
Napier antenatal classes are held at the Plunket Community Hub at 62 Flanders Avenue in Onekawa – right behind the Omni Gym. We generally run 12 classes each year in Napier. They run for one evening per week (Monday or Tuesday, 7-9pm), over seven weeks.
Our Havelock North antenatal classes are held at Havelock North Family Centre, 14 Middle Road, Havelock North. We generally run 8 classes each year in Havelock North. These classes are run over two consecutive Saturday’s (9am-3pm).
Bookings & Enquiries
To find out about specific classes to suit your due date and personal circumstances, please use our online antenatal class enquiry form. The Antenatal Bookings Coordinator will then be in touch to discuss or confirm your booking.
Early enrolment is essential as classes have limited spaces and fill up quickly.
Antenatal and Postnatal Course Topics
Pregnancy:
- Foetal positioning, womb and pelvis anatomy and their role in labour and birth
Childbirth:
- Signs and stages of labour
- Positions for labour and birth
- Self-help pain relief options
- Medical pain relief
- Obstetric interventions
- What partners can do to support labour
- The birth process
- Birth videos
- Birth plans
Hospital Tour:
- A guided tour of the maternity wing of Hawke’s Bay Hospital (including the Delivery Suite and the Special Care Baby Unit, where possible).
Life after Baby is Born:
Post natal emotions- Relationship changes
- Where to go for support
- Vitamin K and immunisations
Practical Parenting Skills:
- Breastfeeding
- How to bath your baby
- Changing nappies
- Sleeping and settling
Infant CPR:
- An optional Infant CPR course (CPR and Choking)
Coffee Group Sessions
One of the biggest benefits of signing up with a Parent’s Centre Antenatal course is that we will group you with other parents-to-be due around the same time as you. Our members often tell us that their coffee group is an invaluable support group in the early days of parenting and as your children grow up.
We set up initial coffee group sessions for your where we let you decide what you’d like to learn about. Popular topics include:
- De-brief on your birth
- Sleeping, settling and feeding
- Infant massage
- Connecting with your baby
