Parenting Classes & Cord Blood Class

For expecting mothers and fathers planning to deliver here. Beyond the classes themselves, we also share important updates through the Baby+ smartphone app, notices posted in the hospital, and the television in our obstetrics waiting room, so please check these at each checkup.

Early session (online, weekly on Wednesdays)

For expecting mothers between 27 and 30 weeks, and fathers-to-be.

• Eligible window: from 27 weeks up to the day before your 29-30 week checkup, attended once
• Schedule: every Wednesday (excluding public holidays)
• Time: 9:30-10:30 (check-in 9:00-9:25; capped at the first 30 registrants)
• Covers: symptoms to watch for in pregnancy, preparing for admission, and breastfeeding

Later session (online, weekly on Thursdays)

For expecting mothers between 33 and 36 weeks, and fathers-to-be. Not available to patients with a planned caesarean section.

• Eligible window: from 33 weeks up to the day before your 35-36 week checkup, attended once
• Schedule: every Thursday (excluding public holidays)
• Time: 9:30-10:30 (check-in 9:00-9:25; capped at the first 30 registrants)
• Covers: labour and waters breaking, the planned epidural birth process, and cord blood (presented by Stem Cell Institute)

For privacy, recording, screen-capturing, or posting session content to social media is not permitted, and attending outside your eligible window, attending more than once, or sharing the online access code with others is also not permitted. Attendees whose identity cannot be confirmed, whose camera is off, or who are found in breach of these rules may be asked to leave.

Notes from our parenting class team

Please read the “To You, Becoming a Mother” textbook carefully; individual health guidance is provided at 8 and 10 months. Please ask any question at your health guidance session or checkup.

Childbirth itself is generally not an ambulance-appropriate situation. Even patients with a planned delivery can go into labour, or have their waters break, earlier than expected. Many patients find it useful to register in advance for a maternity taxi service.

Please have your hospital bag packed by the end of month 8, and check that any required consent forms are ready. Please also prepare what you'll need at home for your baby's arrival.

Please remove rings, and any nail polish (gel polish in particular), before admission; these can delay important procedures in an emergency.

Postpartum rooms cannot be reserved in advance; your preference is discussed once you are admitted to the delivery room. Room types and pricing are described on our website and on the waiting-room television.

Please complete an interview with your local ward's public health nurse in advance. The first month after birth calls for help from someone else; if family support isn't available, please discuss postpartum helper or postpartum care services with your partner ahead of time.

Cord blood class

An online class for expecting mothers planning to deliver here. Cord blood can only be collected once, at the time of birth; this class is an opportunity to consider donation or private storage before that moment arrives.

Covers public versus private cord blood banking, private storage (video), cord blood treatment, and the Stem Cell Institute's cell storage centre, presented by Stem Cell Institute, a private cord blood bank, with a question session at the end.