Parent education at St John of God Geelong Hospital

The childbirth and parenting class is a one day workshop covering birth and parenting skills. The ideal time to do these classes are around 32-34 weeks of gestation.

Topics covered in the class include:

Birth Topics

• Normal labour and normal birth
• Admission to hospital
• Pain management
• Non Pharmacological
• Pharmacological
• Other possibilities
• Induction and augmentation
• Fetal heart rate monitoring
• Medically assisted birth caesarean/ forceps and vacuum

Parenting Topics

• Estimating the workload
• Normal newborn behaviour
• Crying, settling and sleep
• Prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Breastfeeding
• Perinatal emotional health
• Routine postnatal ward care
• Postnatal healing and recovery
• Basic baby care
• Pet safety

Details

• Upcoming dates: All classes are run on a Sunday. You can register your interest via the booking link below. 
• Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm
• Cost: An out of pocket expense will occur for uninsured patients and those giving birth at hospitals other than St John of God Geelong Hospital. There is generally no out of pocket expense for privately insured patients giving birth at St John of God Geelong Hospital, however, please check with your health fund if you are unsure if your class will be covered.
• Bookings: Register your interest. 

Places are limited to please register your interest to reserve your booking. If you miss out on your preferred session, your name will automatically be placed on a waitlist for the next session.

For new parents preparing for birth and parenthood can be daunting.

To assist parents in preparing for birth, whether it is their first baby or fourth time round, St John of God Geelong Hospital offers a two-hour Mindful Birth Workshop focusing on educating parents to be about alternative breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation in labour and delivery. We want to prepare mothers for a positive birth experience and assist with putting their minds at ease.

‘We have a dark room for the women to come into, and we have aromatherapy and meditation music playing. The women experience a low-stimulus environment, so we don’t question them about pain relief. They let us know if they want something, otherwise, we allow them to relax in the environment. We use language such as surges and waves instead of contractions to allow women to feel more at ease.’ 

Our Mindful Birth Workshop is an exciting addition to our parent education offerings giving women and their partners an opportunity to experience a deep sense of connection and calmness within themselves and the birth of their baby.

Details

• Location: St John of God Geelong Hospital, Education Room
• Days: Monthly on a Thursday evening 6.00pm to 8.00pm, bookings essential
• Gestation: 34 weeks optimal (32 – 36)
• Cost: $100 per for St John of God Geelong Hospital booked couples; $150 for non-St John of God Geelong Hospital couples.
• To book your place in one of our upcoming classes email: [email protected]

To further support our mums, we provide breastfeeding education classes. The classes are hosted by our experienced lactation consultants who provide advice and education sessions to increase your knowledge surrounding feeding cues the positioning and attachment of the baby at the breast and other important information a breastfeeding mother needs to know.

This class is suitable for first time mothers and second time mothers who may have experienced difficulties feeding their first baby.

Details

• Cost: An out of pocket expense will occur for uninsured patients and those giving birth at hospitals other than St John of God Geelong Hospital. There is generally no out of pocket expense for privately insured patients giving birth at St John of God Geelong Hospital however please check with your health fund if you are unsure if your class will be covered.
• Bookings: Register your interest  
  

Our Lactation Clinic offers one hour consultations aiming to provide education and support to women who require additional assistance with breastfeeding. The lactation clinic is staffed by experienced lactation consultants who provide support and specialised breastfeeding advice in a relaxed and confidential atmosphere. We also offer antenatal consultations to pregnant women with breastfeeding concerns or previous breastfeeding difficulties. 

The St John of God Geelong Hospital Lactation Clinic can help with issues including:

• positioning and attachment advice
• management of sore nipples
• assessment of milk supply
• medications and breastfeeding
• feeding support for twins or triplets
• cleft lip and or palate
• mastitis
• breast and nipple thrush
• tongue-tie
• any other breastfeeding concerns, including concerns arising during pregnancy

 
Appointments for this clinic can be made by anyone, regardless of their birth hospital.

Location: Lactation Clinic, Level 3, Women’s Health Unit, 80 Myers Street Geelong 3220
Days: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.00am to 12.00pm (by appointment only)
Cost: $100 per consultation for mums birthing at St John of God Geelong Hospital; $150 for mums birthing elsewhere

To make an appointment please contact:
Tel: 03 5226 1304

St John of God Geelong Hospital recognises the special role that grandparents play in supporting new parents. With the evolving changes and strategies to baby care, we are delighted to host an ongoing series of sessions for expectant grandparents hosted by former St John of God Geelong Hospital midwife Sue Baker. Join us to discuss the current baby care practices and learn about ways that grandparents can provide nurture and support.

The grandparents information session will cover the following areas:

• Supporting with meals
• Immunisation – whooping cough vaccination
• Sleep safe – tummy time
• Breastfeeding advice – formula preparation
• Safety and water safety
• Identifying postnatal depression in mums and dads.

Details
Date: TBA
Class location: St John of God Geelong Hospital Education Room
Time: 5.00pm to 6.30pm - A light supper will be provided

To register your interest, please email [email protected]