Pregnancy & Parenting Education Classes

The Women’s Health Directorate at Auckland District Health Board (DHB) provides a new and enhanced programme for publicly funded pregnancy and parenting education. The service is for all women expecting their first baby, their partners and whanau.

Accessing the Classes

Women and their partner/support person can access face-to-face pregnancy and parenting education in community locations. 

Courses consist of 2 x 3 hour classes run over 2 weeks, or a block course of 6 hours. Bookings are essential.

We will contact you in writing to confirm your booking.  It is important you attend the course in which you are confirmed.  We cannot guarantee a place in other courses if you fail to attend as booked.

Please note that we do not accept bookings until women are 14 weeks pregnant.  Ideally, you will be about 30 weeks pregnant when you attend a pregnancy and parenting class.

Classes are available in:

• Parnell (Birthcare)
• Panmure
• Mt Roskill
• Blockhouse Bay
• Auckland CBD

View the Pregnancy and Parenting Education Class Lists or register for a Pregnancy and Parenting Education Class.

(Please note: Some users, particularly Hotmail email account holders, are finding our email confirmations are being blocked because of an attachment.  Please CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDERS if you do not receive confirmation of your booking within 5 days).

Pregnancy and Parenting Topics Covered Include:

• Changes in pregnancy - foetal development, supports and services
• Healthy pregnancy - healthy eating, exercise, and the effects of smoking, alcohol and drug use
• Pregnancy care - antenatal checks, screening, planning for birth, complications of pregnancy
• Labour and birth - choices and options, Lead Maternity Carer (LMC), labour signs and stages, managing pain, birthing, complications and immediate care after birth
• Postnatal care - care for mother and baby, family support, body changes, rights and responsibilities
• Breastfeeding and safe sleeping - infant nutrition and safe sleep practices
• Maori module - narratives of mothers’ experiences and considerations for Maori parents and whanau, and others interested
• Teen pregnancy module - focuses on meeting the needs of teenagers.

To register for a publicly funded pregnancy and parenting class near you, please book here: Pregnancy and Parenting Education Class Registration.

(PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDER  if you do not receive confirmation of your booking within 5 working days).

Just for Dads!

Dads, this is just for you! Check out this amazing book titled "Why Dads?" with the best parenting information and helpful tips for the Dad in the family. Click here for the "Why Dads?" Booklet.

Pregnancy and Parenting Education Schedule

PLEASE NOTE:  NATURAL BIRTH CLASSES are for those women who are healthy and have a low risk of complications when giving birth.  A natural birth is where no medical intervention is planned.

To book please register for a Pregnancy and Parenting Education Class.

(PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDER  if you do not receive confirmation of your booking within 5 working days).

Ngati Whatua Orakei Kaupapa Maori Childbirth Education Classes

Join the team at Ngati Whatua Orakei for kaupapa Maori pregnancy and parenting education classes.  Enjoy all the key messages, alongside exploring Te Ao Maori in relation to pregnancy and parenting - the status of waahine hapuu, whakapapa, ancestral stories, traditional birthing and parenting practices and much more.  Make your very own ipu whenua (container for the afterbirth), and learn the significance of the afterbirth.  Learn kupu Maori (Maori language) in relation to pregnancy and parenting.  This is an empowering journey for all new maatua/parents. 

Group courses and waananga/block courses are available. Group courses consist of 4 x 4 hour classes run over 4 weeks. Waananga are held on a Friday evening through to Saturday afternoon, and provides for a sleepover option.

Look for a course that suits you.

Group Courses: 

 Waananga (with sleepover option):

Make a Booking

Thrive Teen Parent Education Classes

Thrive Teen Parent Support Trust provides “Hapu Ora – Pregnancy and Parenting Education” classes for young/teen parents.

If you’d like more information, call, email, text, or register online to secure your spot:

Website:              www.thrive.org.nz

Phone:                 (09) 551 4367

Text:                      022 183 1744

Email:                    admin@thrive.org.nz

Mokopuna Ora Healthy Pregnancy and Baby

In addition to the face-to-face classes, there is a new website and App containing evidence-based pregnancy and parenting information.

To view the new "Mokopuna Ora Healthy Pregnancy and Baby" website and download the App, please click here www.mokopunaora.nz.

Private Providers of Pregnancy and Parenting Education

Pregnancy and parenting classes are also available through private childbirth education providers.  These can be located by searching online for Auckland Central antenatal classes.

Those early weeks and beyond ...

The transition to parenthood is a time of many changes.  Plunket's Parenting Education Programme, PEPE, is a series of five FREE courses aimed at supporting parents through the different stages of their child's early development.  The courses are designed to support parents in their parenting role, build parent confidence and connect parents with other parents and the local supports and resources in their area.  The programme begins with "Your New Baby - parenting in the first six weeks" and steps parents all the way through their child's development to the age of 5 years.  Look online for more information or contact Plunket to find a course in your area - www.plunket.org.nz