Antenatal & postnatal classes and education

The Pregnancy to Parenting Education Series is a two-day course (or shorter intensive course for specific groups) where you'll gain skills to take you through pregnancy, labour and birth, the early days of parenting and beyond. There will be information on forming a birth plan, coping skills and the process of labour and birth; what to expect after the birth; feeding your baby and planning your new roles as parents. You will also have an opportunity to meet other expectant parents to form social networks in your community that relate to your current life stage. These classes are funded and are free to attend.

Course format

Our classes encourage and enable participants from across our region to benefit from antenatal education. Meet up with your antenatal educator, meet other expectant parents, and finish the course with a tour of Nelson Maternity unit).

There will be an evening series over 6 weeks on a Tuesday from 7pm via Zoom with an in-person social meeting at some point at end of course. Depending on demand, we may put another 6-weekly evening session towards the end of the year.

You'll gain knowledge and skills to take you through pregnancy, labour and birth, the early days of parenting and beyond. During the classes there will be information on:

• forming a birth plan

• coping skills and the process of labour and birth

• what to expect after the birth

• feeding your baby, and

• planning your new roles as parents.

2025 Weekend classes

• Sat and Sun 11^th and 12^th Jan 

• Sat and Sun 22^nd and 23^rd Feb 

• Sat and Sun 3^rd and 4^th May 

• Sat and Sun 14^th and 15^th June 

• Sat and Sun 9^th and 10^th August 

• Sat and Sun 4^th and 5^th October 

• Sat and Sun 13^th and 14^th December

2025 6-week Zoom Course

• Tuesday evenings at 7pm from 25^th March – 29^th April

How to register

Registration for classes will be accepted at any point in your pregnancy. Our innovative model ensures you can get into the class series that suits you and your whānau best. Typically though, attending antenatal classes from week 28 weeks onwards, and ideally before 37 weeks offers the best experience of learning for you and your birth partner.

Click here to complete the Pregnancy to Parenting Education Series - Registration Form and select the course you would like to participate in. Once you have registered, you will be sent an automated reply with general information, your specific registration date will not be on here, so please make a note of which date you book for. The classes are not capped, so please take your automatic reply as confirmation of booking.  You will then be emailed by our antenatal class coordinator the week prior to your session with further, specific information.

Once we receive your registration, you will be sent an email with the link to access the Pregnancy to Parenting Education Series class materials. Simply use this link each time you’d like to view the materials or to join access the zoom link. 

If you have questions or difficulty registering, please check with your midwife or contact our Antenatal Educator, Erin Purvis, by emailing: [email protected]

Other courses

Our 4-hour condensed course for young parents is on a Friday afternoon every 2 months (dates coming soon). This is an opportunity for young people to get the information in smaller group settings with the opportunity to meet other young parents.

There will also be less formal, short sessions as a refresher/up-to-date information and opportunity to socialise with other soon to be 2nd,3rd,4th (and beyond) time parents. These would be good to attend from around 36-37 weeks pregnant (although feel free to come at any gestation).

ESOL classes will be held on an as-needed basis with a relevant interpreter. Please contact [email protected] to organise.

Our free antenatal classes are designed to support you every step of the way as you prepare for the arrival of your pēpi. Designed to be informative, fun and interactive our classes can help you to get ready for the beautiful journey ahead with confidence, support, and other expectant parents.  It can be your first baby or your third, antenatal classes are for every expectant parent wanting more information on pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting.  We look forward to welcoming you!

Classes are free to attend and are held in Marlborough on the Wairau Hospital grounds in the Tatau Pounamu rooms.  It is ideal to take classes when you are around 28-32 weeks pregnant. However, you are welcome to join classes at any time in your pregnancy journey from 20 weeks onward.
 

Class Information

Classes have two formats:

Option 1: Weeknight Class- this series of classes takes place over 6 weeks on a Wednesday night and runs from 6-8:30 with a tea break in between.

Option 2:  3 Week Class- this series of classes takes place over 3 weeks on a weekend day and is run from 1-5, with two breaks in between.

Some topics covered are:

• Pregnancy Lifestyle
• Birthing Environment
• Childbirth
• Breastfeeding
• Early Decisions for Newborns
• Newborn Behaviours
• Parental Wellbeing
• Practical Parenting

View class dates here

How to register

Follow this link below to register for the Pregnancy to Parenting Education Series

Registration here

Once you have completed your registration, a welcome email and letter will be sent to your inbox within the week.  A week before your classes are due to start, the Pregnancy and Parenting Educator will email you to remind you about your upcoming sessions.

If you have questions or difficulty registering, please contact the Pregnancy and Parenting Educator, Nedra Schofield, by emailing: [email protected].

Class Evaluation

We appreciate any feedback you can give to us about your classes from things you enjoyed to areas to improve.  After you have taken your series of classes, you will be sent an email with a link to our evaluation form.

Please join us to chat about the joys and challenges that new Mamas have. A great space to learn about babies, breastfeeding and being a Mama. Your questions are welcome. Or just come along to hear from our midwife and other Mamas in the region.

Address
Motueka Maternity Unit
15 Courtney Street
Motueka

For more information and to book please visit:

Nelson Parents Centre website