ANTENATAL CLASSES
12 Week Course for New Parents
Cost Breakdown
R3540.00 per couple
(x 12 classes of 4 hours each)
or R1770.00 per person
(x 12 classes of 4 hours each)
Prices updated February 2021
Course Duration
12 classes of 4 hours each
= 48 hours
- Antenatal & birth prep: 7 classes
- Postnatal parenting: 5 classes
Benefits include:
- Access to 24hour helpline
- Postnatal support group
Benefits
- Access to 24hour helpline
- Postnatal support group

Course
Outline
Week 1: Problems in Pregnancy
- Diet & weight gain in pregnancy
- Smoking, drugs, alcohol and caffeine in pregnancy
- Changes in the body in pregnancy/problem solving
- Importance of pelvic tilts and kegals
- Informed choices & consent
- Choosing a care-giver for birth and delivery
Week 2: Technical labour
- Basic female anatomy/pregnancy/term of pregnancy
- Basic technology used in pregnancy and birth
- Labour emergencies
- Dilation and effacement
- Signs of labour/show/ROM/contractions
- Positions of baby
- Stages of labour
Week 3: Labour rehearsal (Day 1)
- Pain relief options
- Massage techniques
- Breathing/relaxation/visualization
- Positions for 1st stage – practical
- Epidurals/spinals for NVD

Week 4: Caesarean class
- Indications for Caesar/risks
- Booked and emergency Caesar/VBAC
- Epidural/spinal/GA Caesar
- Inductions
- Contraception – sex/postnatal
- Prep of mom for Caesar – GA/spinal/epidural
- Post Caesarean care of mom
- Mental wellbeing of mom post Caesar – PND
Week 6: Postnatal (ladies only)
- Prep for PV, catheter/enema/IV
- Postnatal care NVD/Epidural Care
- Breast care
- Swabbing
- Episiotomy care/sizbaths
- Mental well being – mom
Week 7: Parenting: breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding:
- Clothing, bras, discreet feeding
- Diet while lactating/drugs, medication
- Breast and nipple care
- Cracked nipples, mastitus, blocked ducts, abscess, thrush
- Problems
- Advantages/disadvantages
- Technique/position for breastfeeding
- Possible problems advise/solutions
- Feeding routines
- General facts
Week 10: Couples (parenting – baby sleep)
- Responsibilities of new parents – education/discipline/safety/good parenting
- Postnatal depression: signs/symptoms/help
- SIDS
- Sleeping baby:positions
- Crying baby: problem solving
- Colic/winding/techniques
- Pick up/put down baby/hold baby
- Wrapping of baby/overheating
- Nappy mainenance/cloth/disposable
- Folding of nappies
- Discuss positions for 2nd stage and pushing
Week 3: Hospital visit (Day 2)
- Admission room
- Labour wards – process of labour and birth (no complications)
- Complications – cord around the neck/vantose/forceps/emergency Caesar (Positions for 1st and 2nd stage)
- Placenta – expulsion and function
- Newborn – appearance, reflexes and procedures
- Jaundice – newborn
- Circumcision
- Rhesus factor
- Sick baby – ICU
- Visit into nursury – with permission
Week 5: Packing for hospital
- What to pack for hospital
- Hospital routines
- Mom as soft target
- Car-seat safety

Week 8: Parenting – Taking baby home
- Taking the baby home
- Siblings/pets/visitors
- Change in lifestyle/expectations
- Mental and physical well-being of mom
- Routines – day/night
Week 9: Practical parenting – Baby bath
- Bath – tips/facts/techniques
- Face care/nails/mouth/genitals/top & tail
- Cord care
- Baby exercise/massage/stimulation

Week 11: Parenting – Taking baby to the Doctor
- Taking baby to the Doctor
- General info / signs & symptoms / temperatures / fever / diseases
- Home safety – poisons etc
- Immunizations
- Baby on holiday – what to pack
CLINIC HOURS
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 8h00 – 16h30
Tues: Closed
Fri: Two Fridays a month 8h00-16h30
By Appointment Only
CONTACT
Clinic Reception: (011) 425 5588
Emergency: 082 553 7437
25 6th Avenue, Northmead, Benoni
