Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes are a great way to increase your knowledge of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, often known as the fourth trimester. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other families expecting a baby and many groups keep in touch. There are a number of classes to choose from in the Wellington region, please check with the provider about cost. New classes are often being added so also do some research and talk to your friends about courses they have done. 

Birth Wise
Childbirth and Early Parenting Course. These classes are held in Newtown and focus on natural birth at home or in the hospital. Contact birthwise.org.nz

EMPWR
LGBTQIA+ Takatāpui celebratory antenatal classes taking place over 6 weeks at a fully accessible venue. Subsidised classes available for low-income families, no questions asked. Contact www.empwr.nz

Calmbirth®
Calmbirth® teaches pregnant mothers, fathers, partners and birthing companions the skills to accomplish birth fearlessly, calmly and with confidence, using practical skills, understanding birth physiology and how your beliefs and attitudes influence your labour and birth experience. Contact calmbirth.org.nz

Liora Noy Antenatal Classes
Liora is a skilled Lactation Consultant, counselor and educator in the Wellington region. She previously taught classes for Parent Centre, and is invested in providing Antenatal Education in the Wellington region. Contact https://sites.google.com/view/lioranoy

Positive Births
Hypnobirthing Courses - https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/hypnobirthing-classes-nz/

Wellington Antenatal Child Birth Classes
Classes (FREE) held in Kenepuru and Newtown. Contact https://wellingtonantenatal.co.nz/

Plunket
Antenatal Classes. Contact plunket.org.nz

Parents Centre – in your local area
Courses held in in many places. Contact https://parentscentre.org.nz/antenatal-parenting-courses/ These courses may no longer be available as Parent Centre Trust is closing down. Some individual Parent Centres may still be open and providing services, however.

Your Homebirth option
Course for parents considering homebirth (FREE) . Contact https://birthhub.weebly.com/homebirth.html

Online Classes

There are a few options for online classes, these are local (within Aotearoa):

https://parentscentreonline.parentscentre.org.nz/

https://www.hatchedantenatal.co.nz/

https://www.yourbirthproject.com/

There are a couple of others that are also good, but not in Aotearoa:

This one is based in Australia - https://coreandfloor.com.au/free-antenatal-classes-one/

This one is from the UK - https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/

Pēpe Ora

Pēpe Ora also has some good options for antenatal classes including local Hapū Wānanga, you can find the listings here - https://www.wellington.pepeora.nz/taha-wairua#antenatal_education

Pēpe Ora has good information about available support for Hāpu people in our region.

Breastfeeding Classes and Support

Overwhelming evidence shows the health benefits, to Mum and baby, of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of baby’s life.  We encourage you to participate in antenatal breastfeeding education:

Breastfeeding Classes
Held at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals, (FREE) in English and Mandarin.
Contact info@ccdhb.org.nz.

Mamalicious 
Antenatal courses on Breastfeeding and postnatal support. See https://blog.breastmates.co.nz/advice-and-tips/pregnancy/find-a-midwife/mamalicious-wellington/