Childbirth education classes

Classes are held either onsite (in Parkville) or online. A mix of weekends, weekdays and evenings are available.

Our Childbirth and Early Parenting programs are offered as an additional extra to the standard care provided by the hospital and places in these programs are not guaranteed.

We have general & specific programs. Specific programs include options for families expecting twins (or more!), LGBTQIA+, Caesarean Section, First Nations & for some languages other than English.

We encourage all participants to:

• book the program of your choice as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Aim to complete your Childbirth Education program by 38 weeks pregnancy at the latest.
• bring a support person along to every session.

How to book and reschedule

Bookings are made online via Eventbrite. To go straight to available dates and booking, book classes via Eventbrite.

Please note: Access to the booking system is limited via the Eventbrite app; we recommend accessing the site via the web.

Benefits of Childbirth Education

• Feel more confident about your pregnancy, labour, birth, breastfeeding and the early weeks of parenting.
• Make more informed choices about your care.
• Enjoy an opportunity to involve your partner or support person in the parenting journey.

Content covered in Childbirth Education

All group programs are designed to provide participants (and their support persons) with the knowledge to navigate late pregnancy, labour, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood.

An experienced midwife will cover a range of topics, such as:

• signs of labour, including when to come to hospital
• progress of labour and birth
• support in labour
• practical coping methods during labour
• medical options for pain management
• medical assistance for birth
• understanding breastfeeding
• safe sleeping and settling
• communicating with your baby
• community supports for the family.

Eligibility

To be eligible to attend you need to be:

• pregnant with your first baby, and
• booked to have your baby at the Women’s.

Note: To be eligible for free classes, you must hold a Medicare Card and be registered as a public patient. If you do not have a Medicare Card, you will need to pay when you book.

Booking tips

Places are limited so book your spot as soon as possible.

• Please only book one program (extra bookings will be cancelled).
• Programs are listed at least 3 months in advance, with the subsequent month added at the start of each month.
• Waitlists are not available, so please check the Eventbrite website regularly. Spots become available if people cancel.
• Use the name of the pregnant person when you book.
• You must provide your hospital Medical Record Number.
• A confirmation email will be sent by Eventbrite after booking.
• For online programs, a Zoom link will be emailed 4 days before the first session of your program.

Payments and refunds

• If are not eligible for Medicare card but have private health insurance, please check with your provider regarding potential rebates as not all insurance providers will authorise.
• Clients eligible for Medicare but receiving private care through the Women’s Hospital, are not eligible to attend Childbirth Education Programs at the Women’s.
• Refunds can be requested up to one week before the first session.

Need to cancel or reschedule?

• If you need to reschedule, please cancel your booking on the Eventbrite website, and then rebook into another program. Please remember to cancel, to allow somebody else to take your spot.
• If you can’t make it to one of your booked sessions, we are unable to offer a “make-up” session for the one you missed. Written summaries are provided before the program starts.

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