Parent education

As one of Perth's leading maternity hospitals we offer a range of parent education classes for mums and dads covering what to expect during pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of parenthood.


COVID-19

Due to state safety restrictions, information on this page may be subject to change. Please see our COVID-19 information for the latest details and how you may be affected.


Maternity resources

Our maternity information resources are intended to help you and your partner prepare for the birth of your baby, its ongoing care and the transition to parenthood:

Comprehensive parent education

To help you and your partner prepare for the arrival of your baby, we offer a range of parent education classes. These classes cover what to expect during pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of parenthood, as well as grandparent education and multiple births. To book a class, please email [email protected] 

Once your baby has arrived, we offer a range of free postnatal education sessions on the ward, including daily bath demonstrations, breastfeeding classes and a going home talk. 

Our midwives and lactation consultants continue to provide support through our free, fortnightly Subi Babies parent education group.

Maternity blogs

Read expert advice on everything mums-to-be need to know about pregnancy, birth and beyond through our maternity blogs.

Maternity podcasts

Hear the latest on maternity care from some of our leading specialists.

Antenatal parent education

We offer a range of parent education classes which are designed to help you and your partner prepare for birth of your child and the early stages of parenthood. 

The Healthy Pregnancy and Beyond class is relevant to expectant parents from 14 weeks.

Class location:

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Clinic, Level 3, Conference Centre Auditorium

Register:

Parent education classes are available to parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bookings can be made once you have completed your online admission on the My Admission page.

The Birth and Parenting Course is most popular with new parents and is held over three evenings (Wednesdays).

The three classes cover:

  • Birth, epidural and caesarean section
  • Breastfeeding
  • Postnatal care and transition to parenthood

The sessions are offered as face-to-face classes or via WebEx.

Class location:

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Clinic, Level 3, Conference Centre Auditorium

Register:

Parent education classes are available to parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bookings can be made once you have completed your online admission on the My Admission page.

This four-hour workshop provides the essential information about labour, birth, pain relief and caesarean sections, as well as more detailed information about breastfeeding, settling and what to expect during your hospital stay once you have had your baby. 

The FastTrack workshop is held monthly on Saturdays.

Please note the workshop is a condensed version of the Birthing and Parenting course and as such, you do not need to attend any further classes.

Class location:

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Clinic, Level 3, Conference Centre Auditorium

Register:

Parent education classes are available to parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bookings can be made once you have completed your online admission on the My Admission page.

This complimentary class is available to soon-to-be grandparents, face-to-face or with the option of WebEx. It covers the latest information on challenges for new parents, infant care best practice, and the role of grandparents.

In addition, the class offers grandparents tips on how to show support without being intrusive.

Please note, expecting parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital can register their family members for this class.

Class location:

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Clinic, Level 3, Conference Centre Auditorium

Register:

Parent education classes are available to parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bookings can be made once you have completed your online admission on the My Admission page.

This service is designed for women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and are giving birth at St John of God Subiaco Hospital.

It is a free service provided by the diabetes educator and dietitian. Currently, this is being run as an “At home learning package”. 

Upon referral to the service you will receive an education package via email which includes:

  • Self-guided power-point presentation on gestational diabetes with voice over from the diabetes educator.
  • Self-guided power-point presentation on healthy eating with gestational diabetes with voice over from the dietitian.
  • Healthy eating with gestational diabetes information booklet.
  • Details on purchasing a glucometer and testing strips.
  • Information on recording blood sugar levels and food intake.

Phone review by the diabetes educator is made at time of diagnosis to answer any initial questions and then approximately one week later. Regular phone review and email contact is then made for the remainder of your pregnancy based on individual requirements and need. 

A nutrition consultation is provided by the dietitian via phone call approximately seven to 10 days after initial contact. This consultation includes a review of your food intake and blood sugar levels, troubleshoot any dietary issues and provide further nutrition education if required. Ongoing phone follow up is provided as required. 

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and would like to access this service, please speak to your obstetrician for a referral.

This class will be dedicated to preparing parents who are having multiple births and is in addition to the information provided in the traditional parent education classes.

The class will cover all aspects of delivery, including induction, vaginal delivery, caesarean section and epidurals. We also discuss preterm labour and birth, breastfeeding and general feeding advice, settling and practical advice around having multiple babies.

Class location:

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Medical Clinic, Level 3, Conference Centre Auditorium

Register:

Parent education classes are available to parents who are booked to have their baby at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bookings can be made once you have completed your online admission on the My Admission page.

In-hospital parent education 

When you choose to give birth at St John of God Subiaco Hospital, you and your partner have access to a range of free parent education sessions during your stay with us to help you negotiate the first days of parenting. These classes are held on the ward

Classes

 The timetable for each class is below and available in your room.

We hold these classes daily in the ward nursery. There is a poster in each room with days and times.

Classes are held in the ward 54 seminar room. There is a poster in each room with days and times.

We hold these classes daily in the ward nursery. There is a poster in each room with days and times.A caregiver washing a newborn baby's head over a hospital bathing sink.

Postnatal parent education

The first weeks and months of parenthood are exciting, exhausting and often full of the unexpected, especially if you are a first-time parent.

After you have left St John of God Subiaco Hospital we offer ongoing education and support services to help you navigate the early stages of parenthood.

  • Subi Babies classes are free and no booking is required to attend.
  • Both groups held on the same day.
  • Ample free parking onsite.
  • Refreshments available for purchase.
  • Refer to timetable for dates and topics.

New Babies Group - 12.30pm to 2.30pm

The Early Weeks group is available to St John of God Subiaco Hospital parents with babies up to three months. In these sessions, we will discuss feeding, settling and any other concerns you may have. It also offers an opportunity to meet other new parents.

  • Facilitated by midwife/lactation consultant.

Days: every second Thursday throughout the year

Time: 12.30pm to 2.30pm

Location: Lake Monger Recreation Centre, 144 Gregory Street, Wembley 6014

Parking: free onsite

Refreshments available to purchase onsite.

Please note – Subi Babies parents group will move online if there is a significant community transmission of COVID-19.

The Older Babies Group 9.30am to 11.30am 

This group is available to St John of God Subiaco Hospital parents with babies three to nine months. In these sessions, we discuss some of the common milestones and developments your baby will experience during their first year of life, as well as parenting and women’s health topics. 

  • Guest speakers provide a valuable resource for new parents
  • Facilitated by midwives
  • Informal environment offers an opportunity to develop friendships with other new parents

Days: Every second Thursday
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Location: Lake Monger Recreational Club, 144 Gregory St, Wembley.

2024 Older Babies Group program

  • January 18 - Welcome back. Infant milestones and ensuring safe exploring
  • February 1 - Sleep and settling discussion with Tara from The Gentle Sleep Specialist
  • February 15 - Thinking about returning to work? How to work and parent and still have a life!
  • February 29 - Baby and toddler first aid with Steve from Family First Aid
  • March 14 - First teeth, teething and protecting little smiles with Dentist/Dental Therapist
  • March 28 - Women’s health issues and physical recovery after birth
  • April 11 - Engaging with baby, play, reading and building brains with Baby Sensory West Perth
  • April 25 - Anzac Day - CLUB CLOSED
  • May 2 - The importance of floor play and how to make it interesting with Physiotherapist Alison
  • May 16 - Introducing solid foods and first food ideas with a Registered Dietitian
  • May 30 - Baby massage with Jane from Intuitive Baby Massage
  • June 13 - Nursing the sick infant through common illness and infections
  • June 27 - Sleep and settling discussion with Tara from The Gentle Sleep Specialist
  • July 11 - Parenting styles: what’s yours?
  • July 25 - Infant milestones and ensuring safe exploring
  • August 8 - Baby and toddler first aid with Steve from Family First Aid
  • August 22 - The importance of reading to children and speech development with Speech Pathologist Chiara
  • September 5 - First teeth, teething and protecting little smiles with Dentist/Dental Therapist
  • September 19 - Protecting you and your family from the sun with Cancer Council Western Australia
  • October 3 - Engaging with baby, play, reading and building brains with Baby Sensory West Perth
  • October 17 - Baby massage with Jane from Intuitive Baby Massage
  • October 31 - Sleep and settling discussion with Tara from The Gentle Sleep Specialist
  • November 14 - Women’s health and physical recovery after birth with Physiotherapist
  • November 28 - Managing expectations over the Christmas period. End of year party! Please bring small plate to share if you wish.

 

Note: New Babies Group for newborn to three months operates on the same dates in the afternoon 12.30pm to 2.30pm where feeding, settling and early parenting are discussed.

The Tiny Hearts Paediatric First Aid course is run in our hospital each month.

The four-hour classes are offered at a reduced price of $115 per person.
The comparison price for our regular public courses is $170 per person. 

The course is run by Tiny Hearts Education and covers many topics including infant and child CPR, choking, recovery position, respiratory distress, burns, rashes, ear infections, fever and seizures, fractures and safe sleeping.

Visit Tiny Hearts for more information.