Parent education

Parents often need a wide range of support and guidance when it comes to preparing for the arrival of their new baby, particularly if it is their first.

We hope to see parents experience as much confidence and joy as they can – from your pregnancy, baby’s birth, and beyond, as you transition into parenthood. That’s why we offer comprehensive parent education services.

What to expect

We offer free antenatal parenting classes for all pregnant women booked to give birth at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals, as part of our antenatal care.

Classes are relaxed and informal, hosted by experienced midwives and childbirth educators, and provide a safe environment to learn, share and ask questions. Some classes may involve other health professionals qualified to speak on a particular topic.

Active Birth

This course covers healthy birth practices including tips and advice for managing labour, risks and benefits of alternative pain relief options and information on managing active birth. The courses are available in both face to face and online formats.

Face-to-face sessions are available on Sundays from 12.00pm to 4.00pm. Face to face is one session only.

Online sessions are held on Mondays from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. As these sessions are a series, it is recommended you attend both sessions.

Part 1: Safe and healthy birth and finding comfort in labour.
Part 2: Phases and stages of labour and planning for a positive birth.

Active Birth (face to face sessions)

7 January
21 January
28 January
4 February
18 February
25 February
3 March
24 March
31 March
14 April
21 April
28 April
12 May
19 May
26 May
9 June
16 June
23 June
7 July
14 July
21 July
4 August
11 August
18 August
1 September
8 September
15 September
29 September
6 October
13 October
27 October
3 November
10 November
24 November
1 December
8 December

Active Birth (WEBEX online sessions)

8 January - Part 1
15 January - Part 2
22 January - Part 1
29 January – Part 2
5 February – Part 1
12 February – Part 2
19 February – Part 1
26 February – Part 2
4 March – Part 1
11 March – Part 2
18 March - Part 1
25 March – Part 2
1 April – Part 1
8 April – Part 2
15 April – Part 1
22 April- Part 2
29 April – Part 1
6 May – Part 2
13 May – Part 1
20 May – Part 2
27 May – Part 1
3 June – Part 2
10 June - Part 1
17 June – Part 2
24 June – Part 1
1 July – Part 2
8 July – Part 1
15 July – Part 2
22 July – Part 1
29 July – Part 2
5 August – Part 1
12 August – Part 2
19 August – Part 1
26 August – Part 2
2 September – Part 1
9 September – Part 2
16 September – Part 1
23 September – Part 2
30 September – Part 1
7 October – Part 2
14 October – Part 1
21 October- Part 2
28 October- Part 1
4 November – Part 2
11 November – Part 1
18 November – Part 2
25 November – Part 1
2 December – Part 2
9 December – Part 1
16 December Part 2

Planning for the unplanned birth

This course offers a guide to induction of labour, assisted birth interventions, caesarean birth and provides tools on how to manage unexpected outcomes.

Face-to-face sessions are available on every third Thursday from 6.00pm to 8.30pm, but the format may change depending on booking numbers:

30 November
21 December (online via Webex)
11 January
1 February
22 February
14 March
4 April
24 April (note this is a Wednesday evening due to ANZAC day)
16 May
6 June
27 June
18 July
8 August
29 August
19 September
10 October
31 October
21 November
12 December

Breastfeeding education

We also offer antenatal breastfeeding education to help equip expectant mothers with the knowledge and skills to breastfeed with confidence.

The breastfeeding education course is available on a Saturday from 10:30am to 12.00pm. It is provided as either a face-to-face or online format:

Saturday 2 November
Saturday 16 November
Saturday 30 November
Saturday 14 December
Saturday 21 December

Next birth after caesarean

This course offers education and guidance on preparing for the birth of a new baby following a caesarean. The session will explore common reasons for an unplanned caesarean at the end of labour, the benefits of a vaginal birth (including exploring research outcomes), nutrition during pregnancy and provide tools to help advocate for yourself and your baby.

Face-to-face sessions are available every six weeks on Saturdays from 1.00pm to 4.00pm:

2 December
13 January
24 February
6 April
18 May
29 June
10 August
21 September
2 November
14 December

Birthing again

This course is for birthing families who have experienced labour and birth and are returning to hospital to birth again. The session will encourage reflection on previous labour and birth to extract knowledge that will assist in future delivery.

Face-to-face sessions are available every four weeks on a Sunday from 12.00pm to 4.00pm:

3 December
14 January
11 February
10 March
7 April
5 May
2 June
30 June
28 July
25 August
22 September
20 October
17 November
15 December

Bookings

Please note, dates for all classes listed above are subject to change. Contact our antenatal reception team for more information on 08 9462 4571.