You and your baby
Childbirth and parenting are among the most physically, emotionally, and mentally transformative experiences in life. You are stepping into the unknown in a deeply vulnerable way—birth and parenting are the ultimate team efforts. Our goal is to equip you with knowledge, confidence, and tools to support your journey.
A supported and informed start can make all the difference in helping you adjust to life with a newborn, strengthen your sense of confidence, and set the foundation for a healthy transition into parenthood. No matter what kind of birth you have, feeling empowered in the process is key to a positive beginning for both you and your baby.
To help you prepare for your journey into parenthood we’ve designed a range of flexible education class options, covering a number of topics for you and your support person. Our goal is to empower you as you approach the birth of your baby, and to get ready for the weeks that follow.
While antenatal classes help prepare you for labour, birth and early parenthood, they are also a great place to meet other people who are going through a similar experience.
Package 1
Empowered Caesarean and Parenting
This class is designed to inform and empower parents as they prepare for birth and early parenting. You’ll gain practical knowledge about:
- Your caesarean section—what to expect and how to navigate the process
- Shared decision-making and advocating for your needs
- Feeding, sleep, and settling—what to expect in the first six weeks
Physiotherapy: Pregnancy, birth and beyond
Topics include:
- Skills to stay comfortable and healthy before and after birth
- Body awareness, movement and stretches
- Activating and using your core
- Preventing strain
- Being active in pregnancy and after birth
- A tool box to reduce pain and tension now, in labour and after birth (including partner massage, accupressure, breathing and movement).
This class takes place Monday to Thursday evenings only.
Package 2
Empowered Birth and Parenting
This class is designed to inform and empower parents as they prepare for birth and early parenting. You’ll gain practical knowledge about:
- Labour and birth—what to expect and how to navigate the process
- When birth takes a different path and how to make informed choices
- Shared decision-making and advocating for your needs
- Feeding, sleep, and settling—what to expect in the first six weeks
Feeling prepared and involved in decision-making can have a lasting impact on your birth and parenting experience. When you have the knowledge and confidence to navigate labour, birth, and early parenting, you are more likely to feel positive about your experience—regardless of how it unfolds.
Physiotherapy: Pregnancy, birth and beyond
Topics include:
- Skills to stay comfortable and healthy before and after birth
- Body awareness, movement and stretches
- Activating and using your core
- Preventing strain
- Being active in pregnancy and after birth
- A tool box to reduce pain and tension now, in labour and after birth (including partner massage, accupressure, breathing and movement).
This class takes place Monday to Thursday evenings only.
Cost
All class packages are offered virtually or face-to-face and cost $350. Alternatively, you can attend any individual class (perhaps as a refresher or caesarean class without parenting) for $135 per couple, per class.
Please contact your private health fund to find out their contribution to your class package.
How to book
Our parent education class packages are very popular so it’s important to book as early as possible, to avoid any disappointment. We recommend you book in before you are 16 weeks pregnant.
To book in to our parent education class packages, please phone Mater Mothers’ bookings team on 07 3163 8847.
Payment is required at the time of your booking and you will receive an email confirming the details of your booking and information about your class.
Mater Mothers' First Aid for Babies
An additional class option is the Mater Mothers’ first aid for babies class, taught by experienced paediatric and neonatal nurses. During this class, you will learn about:
- resuscitation (CPR) for infants and young children
- choking
- poisoning
- burns
- bleeding
- fractures
- febrile convulsions
- breathing difficulties and illnesses.
Become familiar with the hospital where you will spend those first precious days with your newborn baby. You can take a tour of our hospitals at your convenience.