Maternity: Childbirth & Parenting Education Program
Childbirth & Parenting Education Program
Westmead Private Hospital is committed to providing a comprehensive childbirth and parenting program to prepare parents for the birth of their child. Our educators are all experienced clinicians holding childbirth & parenting qualifications.
We offer the following Childbirth & Parenting Programs and additional speciality classes:
Childbirth & Parenting Program - (offered as a 4 week programme or a weekend workshop)
Childbirth & Parenting - 4 week series (Evenings 7pm – 9pm) - $300 per couple
Designed to be attended from 30–32 weeks of your pregnancy.
This class is designed for couples to meet and share experiences with other expectant parents. It consists of 2 hour sessions, one evening a week for 4 continuous weeks. These classes cover our breastfeeding speciality class.
Childbirth & Parenting – Weekend Workshop - $300 per couple
Designed to be attended from 34–36 weeks of your pregnancy.
This class is an intensive workshop, for “time poor” couples. It consists of one 6 hour Saturday workshop followed by a 2 hour breastfeeding class held on a weekend or weekday for your convenience.
Both the weekend and evening programs cover the same course information.
Course Overview
Labour & Childbirth:
- Normal labour, when to come to hospital
- The birth process, strategies to work with labour
- Positions for labour
- Methods for coping with pain
- Partner’s support person’s role
- Medical alternatives for pain relief
- What happens after the birth
- Unexpected outcomes, variations of labour
- Obstetric complications
- Maternity tour
Parenting:
- All about your stay in hospital with your new baby
- Breastfeeding
- Understanding your baby’s needs
- Feeding
- Crying
- Settling sleeping
- Playing routines
- Parenting skills
- SIDS
- Services available in the community
Speciality Classes
- Breastfeeding (this class is covered in the Childbirth & Parenting Program above) - Cost $60
This 2 hour class is open to both first time parents as well as those wanting to refresh their breastfeeding knowledge. Armed with knowledge on how breastfeeding works, normal newborn feeding behaviour, and optimal feeding positions, parents can better relax and enjoy their feeding experience with their newborn.
- Active Birth - Cost $60
Designed to be attended after 32 weeks of your pregnancy
This 2 hour class offers a more intensive, practical focus covering the benefits of an upright and active labour, relaxation and massage techniques, positions for labour and birth and the importance of your support people. This class compliments the Childbirth & Parenting Program content on active birth.
- Caesarean Section - Cost $60
Designed to be attended after 30 weeks of pregnancy
This 2 hour class is designed to take expectant couples, having a caesarean birth on a journey that starts at front reception, through to the operating suite, onto our maternity unit, and home again with community support. Topics include: support persons role, anaesthetics, analgesia, your postnatal stay and managing at home with your newborn.
Bookings and more information
Bookings must be made via our Maternity Bookings on 02 8837 9279 between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Please refer to the timetable of classes on offer. Class timetable is subject to changes and availability.
