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South West Medical Centre is a part of South West Healthcare

Childbirth Education

Our childbirth education services can increase your confidence about what to expect during pregnancy, labour, birth, breastfeeding and the weeks following the birth of your baby.

In the current climate of COVID 19 restrictions we have moved to an online platform for the delivery of Childbirth Education. We are unable to run any face to face sessions. We have created a private Facebook group where parents are able to view pre-recorded versions in their own time. When booking in you will be asked to provide a current mobile number, please ensure this is correct. At around 30-32 weeks gestation you will receive a text message inviting you to “SWH Antenatal Classes.” We are also running fortnightly zoom sessions usually on Monday nights from 7pm. The details of the zoom meetings are posted within the Facebook group.

  • What we do

    SWH offers Childbirth Education classes free of charge in the third trimester of your pregnancy (around 32 weeks). Information and booking of classes occurs at your booking in appointment at the Women’s Clinic (Level 4) at around 24 weeks of your pregnancy.

    These classes are offered on weeknights (Monday & Wednesday) from 7-9 pm running over a 2 week period. Alternatively, there are 2 sessions of 4 hours each on a Sunday afternoon from 1-5.30 pm (allowing for a 30 min break).

  • Who we care for

    These classes are offered to all first time mums and their support person, planning to birth at SWH, Warrnambool campus. Refresher classes for parents having their second child and 1st time grandparent classes are available also. These classes are more informal and tailored to meet the client’s needs at the time.

  • What to expect

    Our classes consist of 8 hours of education for 1st time parents. The classes are facilitated by experienced midwives and physiotherapists.

    Labour & Birth – for a total of 4 hours

    What to expect in labour and birth;

    • stages of labour
    • positions for labour and birth
    • pain relief options
    • interventions & types of birth
    • VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean)
    • working with contractions
    • pressure point massage techniques
    • delayed cord clamping
    • induction of labour
    • tour of the ward & birth suites.

    Parenting – facilitated by a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for a total of 4 hours

    All breastfeeding related topics;

    • Antenatal expression of colostrum
    • 10 steps for successful breastfeeding
    • skin to skin after birth
    • breastfeeding support and resources
    • normal newborn feeding patterns and output
    • positioning and attachment to the breast
    • mastitis
    • information on bottle feeding.

    SIDS education and recommendations

    • safe sleeping your baby
    • settling your baby
    • what to expect once home
    • vaccinations
    • antenatal & postnatal depression.
    • co sleeping
    • normal newborn behaviour
    • postnatal home visits
    • realistic expectations

Page last updated: 18 February 2021

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