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

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 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