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JHH Preparing for Parenting - Education Programs

“Knowledge reduces fear and promotes confidence”

Learning about your pregnancy and growing baby, preparing for labour and the birth of your baby, preparing for the joys and challenges of becoming a parent are all very important parts of your antenatal care and planning.

The John Hunter Hospital Parenting Education Service offers a variety of antenatal education programs to support you and your partner with your physical, mental and emotional preparation for your pregnancy, birth, early parenting and feeding your baby.

The sessions are relaxed and informative, giving you and your support person the opportunity to meet other families and discuss ideas, thoughts and choices for birthing and parenting. It is important to book your sessions early to ensure you don’t miss out on a time that best suits you.

Why come to our programs?

Attending face to face education programs will help you to learn more about your birth and parenting journey as we are able to tailor our programs to meet your specific learning needs. You will share the experience with other pregnant women and families which is an excellent opportunity to meet others about to become new parents.

Our qualified, welcoming team of nationally certified educators will provide an environment which is informal and relaxed. Our programs are interactive and based on the most up to date information.

Our past clients say

“I felt prepared for anything - best money spent on any course!”

“Good time out from our busy lives to focus on the pregnancy as a couple; it reinforced what we read on internet; partner found it very helpful.”

“Fantastic to meet & share with others at the same stage of pregnancy & share questions about birth, etc; reduced the fear about what we were facing; we are still in touch with our group on facebook.”

For More information

General information about educational programs

Most courses are held at Newcastle Community Health Centre in Newcastle.

Office hours are: Monday to Friday 9-4pm
Phone: (02) 40164595 or
Email: HNELHD-JHHParentingEducation@health.nsw.gov.au

To secure your booking please complete the Booking form and email to HNELHD-JHHParentingEducation@health.nsw.gov.au or alternatively contact the Parenting Education office on 02 4016 4595.

When we receive your booking form you will be sent an email with instructions on how to pay and confirm your program.

Cost of programs

There are fees for some programs, in line with most Australian Maternity Services. Concessions and Rebates for private health funds are available – talk to our friendly staff.

Booking Form - Click Here

Complete & save the form then email to HNELHD-JHHParentingEducation
@health.nsw.gov.au

Pregnancy Wise - Face to Face - $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Pregnancy Wise - Early Pregnancy Information Session

Face to Face $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Course held at Newcastle Community Health Centre 670 Hunter Street Newcastle West

This is a one-off early pregnancy information session led by an experienced women’s health physiotherapist. This session is best attended from 14-24 weeks gestation. You will participate in a 1 hour practical exercise work out, please notify us if you have any conditions that may prevent you from participating in the exercises. This session is for the pregnant woman only.

This 2-hour session will help you to understand:

  • The normal changes that occur throughout the pregnancy
  • Caring for yourself and your baby during pregnancy, including safe exercise and movement, back care and eating well
  • When to contact your Doctor or Midwife
StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
FULLSaturday 19th October 2024Face to Face10am - 12.00pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 19th October 2024Face to Face1pm - 3pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEMonday 28th October 2024Face to Face6.30pm - 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 16th November 2024Face to Face10am - 12.00pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 16th November 2024Face to Face1pm - 3pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEMonday 25th November 2024Face to Face6.30pm - 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 14th December 2024Face to Face10am - 12.00pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 14th December 2024Face to Face1pm - 3pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEMonday 16th December 2024Face to Face6.30pm - 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 11th January 2025Face to Face10am - 12.00pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 11th January 2025Face to Face1pm - 3pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEMonday 20th January 2025Face to Face6.30pm - 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 8th February 2025Face to Face10am - 12.00pmOnce Only
AVAILABLESaturday 8th February 2025Face to Face1pm - 3pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEMonday 17th February 2025Face to Face6.30pm - 8.30pmOnce Only

Calmbirth© - Face to Face - $550.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Calmbirth©

Face to Face $550.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Full payment will be required on booking to secure class

Course held at Newcastle Community Health Centre 670 Hunter Street Newcastle West

Calmbirth® uses this mind-body connection to assist couples to replace the fear, stress and anxiety about giving birth with the knowledge and skills to birth their baby calmly, fearlessly, safely and confidently

The ideal time to attend a Calmbirth® course is between 24 and 34 weeks gestation

  • Calmbirth® provides you with all the knowledgeconfidence and tools you need to have a positive birth experience.
  • To work together and feel supported by your partner to birth your child in any birth situation. Calmbirth® teaches your partner how to support you emotionally, and how to be your ‘guardian of space’ during pregnancy, labour and birth.
  • Calmbirth® empowers you to make informed decisions with your caregivers about birth choices.
  • Calmbirth® helps you feel safecalm and confident to birth your baby irrespective of how you birth.
  • Calmbirth® teaches you about the prenatal bonding, the importance of skin to skin and postnatal bondingself care and ways to nourish the new mother, and awakens you to the concept of conscious parenting.
  • Calmbirth® teaches you how to nurture your connection to your unborn child and ‘plants the seed’ for ways to strengthen that connection in your transition into parenthood.
  • Calmbirth® teaches you self empowerment – how to be an active participant in your birth and gives your birth support partners the tools to support you. It teaches you how to access your inner resources and gives you the confidence to use them to assist you in pregnancy, labour and birth  –  embracing birth as a natural part of life.
StatusDateLocation Class TimesDuration
AVAILABLE
2 places
Tuesday 5th November 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre5.30pm to 8.30pm4 weeks
AVAILABLE
3 places
Saturday 14th December and Sunday 15th December 2024Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLE
5 places
Tuesday 7th January 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre5.30pm to 8.30pm4 weeks
AVAILABLE
10 places
Tuesday 4th February 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre5.30pm to 8.30pm4 weeks
AVAILABLE
10 places
Tuesday 4th March 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre5.30pm to 8.30pm4 weeks

Birth and Parenting Course - Face to Face - $160.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Birth and Parenting Course

Face to Face - $160.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

From 24 weeks

Your booking fee covers yourself and your support person.

Understanding labour and birth and becoming a parent.
  • This 12-hour face to face Birth and Parenting program is offered in a variety of formats. These include, a full weekend, two consecutive Saturdays, or a 6-week evening program.
  • Our programs are run by a team of highly skilled and experienced health care professionals
  • This is our most popular program. We will explore together: -
    • Self-help strategies for labour and birth, including ways that the support person can offer support to the labouring woman including when to come to hospital.
    • Making informed decisions about your care
    • Postpartum recovery and emotional health
    • Breastfeeding, infant sleep, settling techniques, infant communication & other baby care topics.
    • Changes in the family relationships during the period of the transition to parenthood and offer some strategies to minimise distress in the early weeks.

Receive this booklet for free if you attend our Birth and Parenting face to face program.

StatusDateLocation Class TimesDuration
FULLSaturday 12th October and Saturday 19th October 2024Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
FULLSaturday 12th October and Sunday 13th October 2024Face to Face at Belmont Hospital9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLEWednesday 16th October 2024Face to Face at Belmont Hospital6.30pm to 8.30pm6 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 26th October and Saturday 2nd November 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
FULLSaturday 26th October and Sunday 27th October 2024Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLEMonday 28th October 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre6.30pm to 8.30pm6 weeks
FULLSaturday 2nd November and Sunday 3rd November 2024Face to Face at Belmont Hospital9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
FULLSaturday 9th November and Sunday 10th November 2024Face to Face at JHH 9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLESaturday 9th November and Saturday 16th November 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLEThursday 14th November 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre6.30pm to 8.30pm6 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 23rd November and Saturday 30th November 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
FULLSaturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December 2024Face to Face at Belmont Hospital9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLESaturday 7th December and Saturday 14th December 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 14th December and Saturday 21st December 2024Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 21st December and Sunday 22nd December 2024Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLEMonday 6th January 2025
finishing Monday 17th February (no class on Australia Day)
Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre6.30pm to 8.30pm6 weeks
AVAILABLEThursday 9th January 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre5.30pm to 8.30pm4 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 11th January and Sunday 12th January 2025Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLESaturday 11th January and Saturday 18th January 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 18th January and Sunday 19th January 2025Face to Face at Belmont Hospital9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLESaturday 25th January and Saturday 1st February 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 1st February and Sunday 2nd February 2025Face to Face at JHH9.30am to 3.30pmWHOLE WEEKEND
AVAILABLESaturday 8th February and Saturday 15th February 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 3.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLEMonday 10th February 2025Face to Face at Newcastle Community Health Centre6.30pm to 8.30pm6 weeks

Birth and Parenting Course - Online Live Streamed - $100.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Birth and Parenting Course

Online Live Stream $100.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

From 24 weeks
Understanding labour and birth
  • Self-help strategies for labour and birth, including ways that the support person can offer support to the labouring woman including when to come to hospital
  • Making informed decisions about your care, unexpected events of labour and after the birth
  • Breastfeeding, infant sleep, settling techniques, infant communication & other baby care topics.
  • Changes in the family relationships during the period of the transition to parenthood and offer some strategies to minimise distress in the early weeks.
StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
AVAILABLESaturday 26th October and Saturday 2nd November 2024ONLINE9.30am to 1.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLETuesday 5th November 2024ONLINE6.30pm to 8.30pm5 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 7th December and Saturday 14th December 2024ONLINE9.30am to 1.30pm2 weeks
AVAILABLETuesday 14th January 2025ONLINE6.30pm to 8.30pm5 weeks
AVAILABLESaturday 1st February and Saturday 8th February 2025ONLINE9.30am to 1.30pm2 weeks

Breastfeeding - Face to Face - No Charge

Breastfeeding

No charge

Course held at Newcastle Community Health Centre 670 Hunter Street Newcastle West

The Breastfeeding course is additional information to what you have received in the Birth and Parenting Course.

One support person is welcome to attend the breastfeeding class with the pregnant women, please advise at booking if your support person is attending with you to allow for room capacity.

Women report greater confidence in breastfeeding their new baby after attending the Breastfeeding course.

It is recommended this course is attended from 32 weeks pregnant.

By participating in the course, you will:

  • Observe skin-to-skin care, baby’s signs of readiness to feed, attachment and positioning of baby for feeding
  • Consider common challenges to breastfeeding during early weeks
  • Know local community resources and support

Additional Breastfeeding Diabetic information Session

This is an add on to our Friday face to face morning and Thursday online classes.

This is offered for all women who have diabetes in pregnancy regardless of type.

A half-hour session held especially for pregnant women with diabetes, you will:

  • Understand the benefits of breastfeeding both for the diabetic mother and baby
  • Find out about the benefits of antenatal expression​
  • Consider common challenges to breastfeeding during early weeks
  • Know local community resources and support

Breastfeeding Class Dates

StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
AVAILABLEThursday 10th October 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 17th October 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEFriday 25th October 2024Face to Face10.00am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 1pm Diabetic BreastfeedingOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 7th November 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEFriday 22nd November 2024Face to Face10.00am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 1pm Diabetic BreastfeedingOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 5th December 2024Face to Face 6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 12th December 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEFriday 20th December 2024Face to Face10.00am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 1pm Diabetic BreastfeedingOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 9th January 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 16th January 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEFriday 17th January 2025Face to Face10.00am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 1pm Diabetic BreastfeedingOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 23rd January 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 6th February 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 13th February 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only

Breastfeeding - Online Live Streamed - No charge

Breastfeeding

Online Live Stream

no charge

It is recommended this course is attended from 32 weeks pregnant.

Women report greater confidence in breastfeeding their new baby after attending the Breastfeeding course.

By participating in the course, you will:

  • Observe skin-to-skin care, baby’s signs of readiness to feed, attachment and positioning of baby for feeding
  • Consider common challenges to breastfeeding during early weeks
  • Know local community resources and support

Breastfeeding Diabetic information Session

This is an add on to our Friday face to face morning and Thursday online classes.

This is offered for all women who have diabetes in pregnancy regardless of type.

A half-hour session held especially for pregnant women with diabetes, you will:

  • Understand the benefits of breastfeeding both for the diabetic mother and baby
  • Find out about the benefits of antenatal expression​
  • Consider common challenges to breastfeeding during early weeks
  • Know local community resources and support
StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
FULLThursday 31st October 2024ONLINE6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 28th November 2024ONLINE6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 19th December 2024ONLINE6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 30th January 2025ONLINE6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 6th March 2025ONLINE6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only

Nuts and Bolts of Fatherhood - Face to Face - $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Nuts and Bolts of Fatherhood

Class fee $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Course held at Newcastle Community Health Centre 670 Hunter Street Newcastle West

This program is for men who are about to become dads. This course is led by an experienced father and health professional. It's recommended to attend this course after 20 weeks gestation. Expectant Dads will:

  • Explore the role and relationship changes likely to be experienced during transition to fatherhood
  • Consider strategies to being an effective support person
  • Develop an effective parenting relationship with your partner
  • Understand infant communications, why babies cry and develop strategies for difficult times
StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
FULLThursday 17th October 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 7th November 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 12th December 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 9th January 2025Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 20th February 2024Face to Face6.00pm to 8.30pmOnce Only

Nuts and Bolts of Fatherhood - Online Live Streamed - $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

Nuts and Bolts of Fatherhood

Online Live Stream

Class fee $25.00 Health Fund Rebates Available

This program is for men who are about to become dads. This course is led by an experienced father and health professional. It's recommended to attend this course after 20 weeks gestation. Expectant Dads will:

  • Explore the role and relationship changes likely to be experienced during transition to fatherhood
  • Consider strategies to being an effective support person
  • Develop an effective parenting relationship with your partner
  • Understand infant communications, why babies cry and develop strategies for difficult times
StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
AVAILABLEThursday 24th October 2024ONLINE6pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 21st November 2024ONLINE6pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 5th December 2024ONLINE6pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 23rd January 2025ONLINE6pm to 8.30pmOnce Only

Multiple Miracles - Online Live Streamed - No Charge

Multiple Miracles

Online Live Streamed

No Charge

This session has been designed for all parents expecting twins or triplets.

You will explore topics around, birth and parenting your babies along side other parents. We host this session with the Newcastle Multiple Birth Association.

If this is your first pregnancy you will find this is a great addition to the 12 hours Birth and Parenting program.

StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
AVAILABLEThursday 7th November 2024ONLINE6.30pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 19th December 2024ONLINE6.30pm to 8.30pmOnce Only
AVAILABLEThursday 13th February 2025ONLINE6.30pm to 8.30pmOnce Only

Planned Caesarean Section Birth and Parenting Course-Face to Face

It is recommended you attend this course from 26weeks

This 6-hour face to face planned caesarean section Birth and Parenting program is offered to pregnant women and their support person who know they will be having a planned caesarean section for the birth of their baby.

This program is divided into two sessions. It is recommended if this is your first baby we recommend enrolling in both the morning and afternoon session, if this is not your first baby you may consider attending the morning session only. The program is run by a team of highly skilled and experienced health care professionals

Planned Caesarean Section Birth (morning session) $25 Health care card holders $12.50

The morning session will discuss;

  • Pregnancy changes
  • Preparation in pregnancy for caesarean section birth
  • Process of Caesarean Birth and the birth of your baby
  • Role of the support person at the caesarean birth and in the recovery period
  • Making informed decisions about your care
  • Postpartum recovery for mother and baby and emotional well being
  • Anaesthetic options for Caesarean Section and post-operative pain relief
  • Planned Caesarean Section Parenting and Baby Care (afternoon session) $40 Health care card holders $20

    The afternoon session will discuss;

    • Breastfeeding, infant sleep, settling techniques, infant communication & other baby care topics.
    • Changes in the family relationships during the period of the transition to parenthood and offer some strategies
    • Caesarean Birth Preference Sheet
    • Caesarean Hospital Bag checklist
    SessionDateLocationClass timeDuration
    Planned Caesarean Section BirthJanuary 18th 2025Newcastle Community Health Centre9.30am to 12.00pmOnce Only
    Planned Caesarean Section Parenting and Baby CareJanuary 18th 2025Newcastle Community Health Centre12.30pm to 3.30pmOnce Only

    Next Birth after Caesarean - Online Live Streamed - No Charge

    Next Birth after Caesarean

    Online Live Stream

    No Charge

    It is optimal though not essential, that you attend the program at around 20 and 24 weeks gestation. This education program is for women and their support people who have had a previous caesarean birth and are considering birth options for their current pregnancy.

    This program will help you to gather current, consistent, evidence based information before making decisions about your next birth. The group will enable you to meet other couples with similar experiences and provide an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarity about the NBAC options.

    StatusDateDelivery Class TimesDuration
    AVAILABLEMonday 14th October 2024ONLINE6.30pm to 8pmOnce Only
    AVAILALBEThursday 7th November 2024ONLINE10am to 11.30am Once Only
    AVAILABLEMonday 25th November 2024ONLINE6.30pm to 8pmOnce Only
    AVAILABLEThursday 19th December 2024ONLINE10am to 11.30amOnce Only
    AVAILABLEMonday 13th January 2025ONLINE6.30pm to 8pmOnce Only
    AVAILABLEThursday 6th February 2025ONLINE10am to 11.30amOnce Only
    AVAILABLEMonday 3rd March 2025ONLINE6.30pm to 8pmOnce Only

    Young Parents Birth and Parenting Program-Face to Face-No charge

    Young Parents Birth and Parenting Program

    Face to face

    No Charge

    This class is for young expectant parents under the age of 22. This Birth and Parenting program is facilitated by a skilled Midwife and Birth and Parenting Educator. You are welcome to bring a support person to the classes.

    The program is a total of 4 hours held over 2 days.

    Some of the topics for discussion will include:

    • Self-help strategies for labour and birth, including ways that the support person can offer support to the labouring woman including when to come to hospital.
    • Making informed decisions about your care
    • Postpartum recovery and emotional health
    • Breastfeeding, infant sleep, settling techniques, infant communication & other baby care topics.
    • Changes in the family relationships during the period of the transition to parenthood and offer some strategies to minimise distress in the early weeks.

    To book into one of the below programs please contact JHH Family Care office 49214614 or text your details to 0439402794

    StatusDateLocationClass TimesDuration
    AVAILABLEMonday 18th November 2024Face to Face at JHH1pm to 3pm2 consecutive Mondays