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.

Zoom to:

• Accessing the Classes
• Pregnancy and Parenting Topics
• Just for Dads
• Pregnancy and Parenting Education Schedule
• Ngati Whatua Orakei Kaupapa Maori Childbirth Education Classes
• Pregnancy and parenting class with a Pacific focus
• Mokopuna Ora Health Pregnancy and Baby
• SmartStart
• Feelings of anxiety or depression during pregnancy or during those early parenting days?
• Those early weeks and beyond ...

<<Back to top

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. SHOULD YOU FAIL TO ATTEND AS BOOKED, WE CANNOT RE-BOOK YOU INTO ANOTHER CLASS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR OUR CLASSES.

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: If you do not receive a confirmation email for your booking, please CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDER).

<<Back to top

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:  If you do not receive a confirmation email for your booking, please CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDER).

<<Back to top

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.

<<Back to top

Pregnancy and Parenting Education Schedule

PLEASE NOTE:  All classes are NATURAL BIRTH CLASSES and are for 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: If you do not receive a confirmation email for your booking, please CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM EMAIL FOLDER).

<<Back to top

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. It allows whanau to share their stories, bring out whanau knowledge and weave each other's experiences together for the wellbeing of our pepi, tamariki, whanau and wider community.

Waananga courses are available and are held over two days, 9am to 3pm.  There is a sleepover option if required.

Look for a course that suits you.

 Waananga (with sleepover option): 

Make a Booking

Book by contacting Ngati Whatua Orakei on 0508 NWORAKEI (0508 6967 2534)  or 021 847 374, or you can email them at: .

<<Back to top

Are you looking for a pregnancy and parenting class with a Pacific focus?

Check out Health Star Pacific Community Health in Panmure who offers FREE pregnancy and parenting classes. Classes are held every first Friday of the month.  Call Health Star Pacific on 09-527-2300 and ask for Moe or Vai.

<<Back to top

SmartStart

SmartStart - A step by step guide for you and your baby!

<<Back to top

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.

<<Back to top

Feelings of anxiety or depression during pregnancy or during those early parenting days?

Having a baby brings a great deal of happiness, but it can also be a stressful time for many. The new journey for mothers, fathers and their whanau/family often brings change and requires a lot of support.  Up to 25% of women experience emotional turmoil and as many as one in eight suffer from depression during or after pregnancy.

HELP AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE! Check out www.depression.org.nz to find out about depression and anxiety symptoms, ways to help others, as well as finding services which can offer more support.  There is also information specific to the perinatal period available at Mothers Matter, www.mothersmatter.org.nz and Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa,  www.pada.nz.

You can be helped and supported through these challenging times.

<<Back to top

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.

<<Back to top

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

<<Back to top