FAQ

Where are classes held?

Classes are held each month in Port Kembla. You can view our upcoming dates here.

What about covid 19 restrictions?

Currently antenatal classes are permitted to be face to face with hygiene requirements adhered to. If the Illawarra area has Covid19 restrictions bought in, don’t worry, booked classes will proceed via Zoom.

Do you offer HICAPS or health fund rebates?

At this stage we are not registered with health funds or offer HICAPS.

Do we need to attend the antenatal classes at Wollongong hospital as well?

It is up to you how much education you would like to have. We believe you can never have too much knowledge so if you would like to do both hospital classes and ours then we encourage it. Hospital childbirth classes tend to be large and they focus on preparing women and their partners for what to expect in terms of policies and procedures in the hospital setting, whereas our classes are smaller and we try to give a more rounded approach.

We do cover what our local hospitals common policies are and what to expect when you are there however we also provide you with more detailed information about pain management skills and how to increase the likelihood of having a positive birth. Evidence shows that people who attend independent birth classes “can significantly reduce medical intervention rates, and meaningfully reduce the fear around childbirth.”(1)

How do I book and pay for the class?

To book your spot click here. We accept credit card and PayPal.

When is the ideal time to attend birth classes?

It is totally up to you! Generally it is advised to do childbirth classes between 28-37 weeks, however if you are feeling anxious earlier in your pregnancy and could benefit from coming then that is great.

I’m planning on having an epidural, do I still need to do prenatal classes?

Even when you planning on utilising an epidural for pain relief its a good idea to have some other coping skills for labour. Most hospitals will discourage the use of epidurals until you are in ‘active’ labour, which often means you will have to labour without one for a while first. This early stage is easier if you have some tools to use. You will also learn about the stages of labour so you know what to expect as well as your other medical pain relief options.

What happens if I book and then have my baby early?

We have a refund policy that covers scenarios such as a preterm birth or if you need to reschedule. You can view our terms and conditions here.

What do we need to bring?

We supply all the active labour props such as a birth ball and mat, just bring yourselves and a water bottle. Morning tea is supplied and couples are welcome to bring their own lunch (We have a fridge you can store you food in) or they can purchase their lunch at nearby shops/cafes.

I’m scared of birth videos, do you show any?

We know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable watching birth videos so the only ones we show are not graphic (no babies crowning!) or gory. We also believe there is power in seeing birth in different scenarios, so we do show a few different births and we encourage our attendees to go home and watch some videos.