Pregnancy & Parenting Education Classes

Waitematā District Health Board (DHB) provides a free comprehensive programme for pregnancy and parenting education. The Pregnancy and Parenting classes are for all pregnant women who live in the Waitematā area, and their partners, support people and whānau. We offer the option of face-to-face or Zoom sessions.

Update 13/8/20: During COVID-19 Alert Levels 2 & 3, classes continue to operate but direct to you at home via Zoom only. Please continue to register as below. You will receive email instructions and a link to join the class.

Any questions please email

Courses Offered

Pregnant, What Next? is an early pregnancy class for all pregnant women under 20 weeks pregnant, their partners or whānau. This is a 2-hour information session to help answer all your pregnancy questions.

Classes in English are held on the first Wednesday of every month via Zoom.

Classes in Mandarin are held on the last Saturday of every month via Zoom.

Pregnancy and Parenting Courses consist of 4 x 2-hour classes run over 4 weeks, or 2 x 4-hour classes run over 2 weekends. Courses are also available in Mandarin. If registering for the Pregnancy and Parenting course, you will be booked to start your selected course at around 26 - 28 weeks of pregnancy. Topics covered include:

• The Maternity system in New Zealand – the role of your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and other health professionals, choosing where to give birth, support networks in your community, your rights and responsibilities
• 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 – preparing for your labour and birth, labour signs and stages, how your partner and  support people can help, managing pain, possible birthing, complications and the first hours with your baby
• Postnatal care - care for mother and baby, family support, body changes, rights and responsibilities
• Breastfeeding and safe sleeping - infant nutrition and safe sleep practices.
• Early Parenting - caring for your newborn baby, growth and development, community support, immunisation

Breastfeeding classes are run once per month at Waitakere Hospital, Maternity Outpatient Clinic in Takapuna, and via Zoom. This is a 2-hour session.

Breastfeeding classes for speakers of Mandarin are available once a month at Maternity Outpatient Clinic in Takapuna, and via Zoom.

Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga - A weaving Wānanga open to any hapu mama and whānau at any stage of pregnancy to weave their own Wahakura (baby bassinet) for their pepi. The day is FREE with all materials supplied, lunch and parking vouchers included. Safe sleep messages are woven into the day and whānau support is encouraged.

Four Wānanga are held each year. This is a full day and spaces are limited so book early via Rosie Houghton Maori Women’s Health Liaison Coordinator - 021 926 361. Or by using the online booking form below.

Bookings for all our courses are essential.

Information Sheets

• Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga are held at Te Waitakere Marae

For Zoom classes, you will receive email instructions and a Zoom link to join the class.

Bookings and Enquiries

Pregnancy and Parenting Education Schedule

Unless a date is specified, all courses run one after the other throughout the year.

To book please register for an Early Pregnancy class, Pregnancy and Parenting Education course, Breastfeeding class or Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wananga.

Pregnancy and Parenting Courses for Teen Parents

Ohana Pregnancy Wellbeing courses provided by Ohana. All courses are held at the Ohana Young Parent Unit, 86 Kaurilands Road, Glen Eden.

For further information and to book a pregnancy wellbeing course for teen parents please contact Ohana, or visit their website www.ohana.org.nz

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes for Whanau North Rodney

Helensville Birthing Centre - We offer FREE Pregnancy and Parenting classes for women living in the South Kaipara area. Please email Helensville Birthing Centre for more information or book online here

Warkworth Birthing Centre - Pregnancy and Parenting classes are held at the Birthing Centre throughout the year. Suitable for first time mums as well as those who have previously had children, the courses cover a wide range of topics and are run in an informative, supportive manner responsive to the group's needs. Book online here or contact us on phone (09) 425 8201 or email admin@wwbc.co.nz

Pregnancy and Baby

In addition to classes, evidence-based pregnancy and parenting information is available on the "Mokopuna Ora Healthy Pregnancy and Baby" website.

Other Providers of Pregnancy and Parenting Education

Pregnancy and parenting classes are also available through private childbirth education providers. 

FREE Pregnancy and Parenting Education is available at:

Ohana -  Young Parent Unit offers a 12 week programme that provides advice and guidance on the best form of parenting, while providing emotional and practical support. If you, or someone you know is pregnant and would like more information please contact Ohana via www.ohana.org.nz, phone 09 818 5062 or email info@ohana.org.nz

Te Puna Hauora – Parenting Programme, FREE to parents registered with the organisation.This is a six week programme that aims to provide a supportive environment in which parents can meet other parents, participate and share ideas. The programme is tailored to the needs of participants so they can gain the necessary skills to provide better quality care for themselves and their children. Contact Kara Johnson for more information on 09 489 0188

Te Whanau o Waipareira – Kaiarahi Child Services provide a FREE flexible home based service that supports parents, caregivers and whanau, to be the best parents they can be and help their child get the best start in life 0-5yrs. Enrol during pregnancy or before your child turns 4yrs. https://www.waipareira.com/support-for-you-and-your-whanau/pepi-tamariki/

Plunket - FREE ‘Your New Baby’ course focuses on establishing a positive relationship with baby from birth, how baby communicates, the important role parents and caregivers play in baby’s brain development, the changes and challenges of becoming a new family and practical care aspects such as bathing, settling, safe sleep and safety tips.  Email or phone 09-4760705 for more information and to enrol.

Living and Learning Family Centre, Henderson - The Young Mums programme provides life and well-being skills for teens and young mums in the wider community. Finally, we have the facilities to offer a variety of workshops. These cover topics such as positive parenting, parenting for Dads and healthy eating. Please contact Sue or Kristina on 09 837 7992, email youngmum@livingandlearning.org.nz or text 029 7730 631

Grace Gate - Young Mums Programme provides a variety of different ideas and resources, to equip young parents with knowledge and understanding for their parenting journey. For information visit http://www.gracegate.org.nz/young-mums/, phone Charia Giles on 09 914 2999 or email charisa@gracegate.org.nz

For private providers of user pays programmes search online for pregnancy and parenting education or antenatal education North Shore or West Auckland.