Choice of ante-natal courses

Press, 16 July 1987, Page 16

Choice of ante-natal courses

Burwood Hospital offers an eight-week course on pregnancy, feeding, preparation at home, labour, complications, after birth, child safety, contraception and sexuality. It also offers basic and refresher physiotherapy courses providing education and practice for labour, relaxation, breathing patterns and exercises. There is no charge. Contact Burwood Maternity Unit, or Physiotherapy Department, Burwood Hospital, telephone 831-311. Canterbury Home Birth Support Group offers a sixsession course according to

demand. The introduction covers yoga-breathing, relaxation, exercises and general discussion. Other sessions cover preparation of labour, birth and home birth videos; breastfeeding; parentcraft; alternative medication during pregnancy and labour; massage, and the partner’s role. There are also support group meetings after the birth. The cost is $25.00, including handbook. Contact Sally Trerise 795-688. Christchurch Women’s Hospital’s Parent Education Department offers eightweek courses on pregnancy

today, baby care, Infant feeding, becoming a parent, child safety, birth today (2) and after birth. There are optional classes on early pregnancy; sexuality and communication; contraception and family planning; refresher classes on labour and sibling acceptance; caesarian section; baby clothes and equipment; and a young women’s afternoon group. An eight-week physiotherapy class covers breathing, relaxation and stretching techniques and positions for use during labour. One session for companion in labour.

There is no charge. Christchurch Women’s Hospital, telephone 790-890, Parent Education Department, or physiotherapists. The New Zealand Home Birth Assocation (Christchurch branch) offers morning sessions for pregnant women and evening sessions including partners, which are arranged according to demand and are open to all mothers, whether a home or hospital birth is planned. Subjects include pregnancy — covering traditional and alternative approaches, such as herbal and homeopathic — labour and birth — covering home and hospital situation, relaxation and breathing techniques — breastfeeding,

massage, and acupressure. The cost is $25. Contact Rea Daellenbach 325-739, or Pam Sharpe 855-514. Parents’ Centre eight-week antenatal courses are held regularly throughout the year. Each session is divided between physiotherapy and lecture/discussions. Subjects include relaxation and breathing techniques, anatomy and physiology, backache, symptoms and stages of normal labour. Qualified speakers lead discussions on parenting today, baby’s first year, feeding, hospital routine, and a birth film. Cost of $40.00 Includes Parents’ Centre membership and extensive handouts. Four-week refresher