Child Birth Education Classes

If you attend our six week childbirth education course you will be taught by a qualified Child Birth Educator (CBE). You will learn more about your pregnancy, what to expect when you're in labour, your options during the birth, what your support person/partner can do, postnatal care for mother and baby, breastfeeding & what to expect when you get home with your new baby. We also organise a group tour around Ward One maternity ward at Wairau Hospital usually around the 4th week of the course. At the conclusion of the course we will organise your first coffee group for you. Our classes fill up very fast, so if you are interested enrol early.

Where and When?

CBE classes are a 6 week course held on a Wednesday or Friday evening 6.30 - 8.30pm in the Bridge Room at the Clubs of Marlborough, Blenheim. The Club is a modern facility with a restaurant option for couples (especially those who live out of town and travel in) to have their dinner there before class if they choose.

Why attend Childbirth Education classes?

Attending Childbirth Education classes gives parents and support people the opportunity to meet other expectant parents and develop friendships with people who are in a similar life stage. Through a series of 6 weekly classes the Childbirth Educator provides a range of information and facilitates discussion to support parents to make informed decisions about pregnancy, childbirth and the care of their newborn baby. Parents Centre will also ensure your antenatal class gets off to a good start as a "coffee group" on completion of the course by organising your first couple of coffee mornings.

You will learn

Important information on pregnancy, labour and birth, and parenting that is comprehensive and up-to-date. You will gain valuable practical skills and strategies for your pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. There is also an option in Week 4 of the course to attend a "Maternity Ward Tour" at Wairau Hospital, where you will become familiar with the labour ward if you choose to give birth in hospital.

Your tutor/Childbirth Educator

Each of the Parents Centres Childbirth Educators who teach this programme have had comprehensive childbirth education training and are highly experienced in their field. As a trained education professional, the childbirth educator is responsible for assessing the class needs and determining the teaching techniques that will best meet the learning needs of the participants.

At right, a photo (taken in our old CBE class venue) showing a group of Mums brainstorming the benefits of breastfeeding. Dad's are in another room learning how to help 'baby' latch!

Marlborough Parents Centre

Child Birth Education Classes