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Childbirth and Parenting Education Sessions
UPDATE: Due to COVID-19 all group childbirth education and parenting sessions are cancelled until further notice.
We are taking all advised precautions and closely monitoring developments. The health of our patients, visitors and staff is our biggest priority.
The Childbirth Education team are working on alternative ways to provide education to our women and their families.
Women who are booked to attend childbirth and parenting sessions will be contacted and receive educational information via email.
Please feel free to make use of the ‘Useful resources’ panel to the right for information on pregnancy, birth and parenting.
For more information on Townsville Hospital and Health Service changes during COVID-19, including more specifically-related resources for mums, please click here.
For the latest Queensland Health guidelines on COVID-19 and Pregnancy click here.
For the latest Queensland Health guidelines on COVID-19 and Breastfeeding click here.
Our Childbirth and Parenting Education Sessions are provided for pregnant women and their partner/support person. Most sessions are held at Townsville University Hospital. Various options are available depending on individual needs. Our sessions are free of charge to most women (valid Medicare Card needed).
Summary of Session details
Bookings are essential for all sessions
| Options available | When |
| Evening Series – 4 x 2.5 hrs, 6:00pm-8.30pm | Starts first Tuesday each month |
| Saturday Series – 2 x 4 hrs, 9:00am-1:00pm | Usually second and third Saturdays each month |
| Saturday/Sunday series – 2 x 4 hrs, 9:00am-1pm | Usually last weekend of most months |
| Saturday session – 1 x 6 hrs, 9:00am-3.30pm | Usually first and last Saturday most months |
| Relaxation and Massage Session – 1 x 3 hrs | Usually first Wednesday each month, 6:00pm-9:00pm; Usually second Saturday each month 2.30pm-5.30pm |
| Refresher Course – 1 x 3.5 hrs | Wednesday 10:00am-1.30pm; Saturday 2:00pm-5.30pm, alternate months |
| Birth Suite/Maternity Unit Tour – 1 x 1.5 hrs | Saturday 2:00pm-3.30pm; Second or third Wednesday 1:00pm-2.30pm, alternate months |
| Breastfeeding Workshop – 1 x 2.5 hrs | Usually last Monday 6:00pm-8.30pm; first Wednesday 10.30am-1:00pm; third Sunday 12:00pm- 2.30pm. Each held once a month |
| Breastfeeding Clinic – 1 x 30 min | Usually arranged at similar time to hospital clinic appointment |
| Young Parents’ Pregnancy and Parenting Program – 8 x 3 hrs, 9.30am-12.30pm | Thursdays, over school terms |
| Birth-After-Caesarean Information Session - 1 x 2.5 hrs, 6:00pm-8.30pm | Monthly, night varies |
| Physiotherapy Session – 1 x 1.5 hrs, 10.30am-12:00pm | Usually every second Wednesday |
Evening Sessions – 4 x 2.5 hours
These are a series of four sessions, run monthly over consecutive weeks. Women are invited to attend from 26 weeks. These sessions are ideally suited to first-time parents. The series provides more information and practical tips/skills compared to the shorter Saturday sessions. A physiotherapist runs the first session (6:00pm to 8:00pm) with the remaining three sessions run by a midwife.
When: Tuesday 6:00pm-8.30pm. Series starts first Tuesday of each month.
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, first session with a physiotherapist in Women’s and Children’s Allied Health Department, Ground Floor. Remaining sessions with midwife Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block.
Half Day Saturday – 2 x 4 hours
This series runs over two weekends. Women are invited to attend from 28 weeks. These sessions are most suited to first-time parents. The content is similar to the evening series. The sessions are run by a midwife.
When: Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm. Usually held on the second and third Saturday of each month.
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Half day Saturday/Sunday – 2 x 4 hours
This series is run over one weekend. Women are invited to attend from 28 weeks. These sessions are most suited to first-time parents. The content is similar to the evening series. The sessions are run by a midwife.
When: Saturday and Sunday 9.00am-1.00pm. Usually the last weekend of most months.
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map).
Saturday Session – 1 x 6 hours
This session is run over one day. Women are invited to attend from 28 weeks. This session is best suited to first-time parents who live out of town or find it difficult to commit to other sessions. This session is also useful for second-time parents who have had a large age gap between babies. For parents having their second child, we recommend the Refresher Course (see information below). The evening and half-day sessions provide more comprehensive preparation for labour, birth and parenting.
When: Saturday 9.00am-3.30pm. Usually held on the first Saturday of most months.
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Relaxation and Massage for pregnancy and birth – 1 x 3 hours
This ‘hands-on’ workshop aims to increase confidence and awareness of coping strategies for labour and birth. Relaxation techniques and practical tips/skills will be discussed and explored including breath awareness, visualisation, massage, acupressure, creating a calming birth environment, tips for support people and useful positions. This is a stand-alone session but can also complement other sessions. Women are invited to attend from 24 weeks. This session is run by a midwife.
When: Wednesday 6:00pm-9:00pm. Usually held on the first Wednesday of most months or Saturday 2.30pm-5.30pm. Usually held on the second Saturday most months.
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Refresher Course - 1 x 3.5 hours
This session is run over 3.5 hours. Women are invited to attend from 28 weeks. This session is recommended for women and their partners who have had a baby before and for women who are considering a vaginal birth after having had a previous baby by caesarean (VBAC). There are no childminding facilities at these sessions. Having children present can often be distracting for all attending. This session is run by a midwife.
When: Wednesday 10:00am-1.30pm or Saturday 2:00pm-5.30pm, alternate months
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Birth Suite and Maternity Ward Tour - 1 x 1.5 hours
The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours. Women are invited to attend from 28 weeks. The tour is a great way to help women feel more familiar and comfortable with where to come when in labour, particularly if no other sessions are being attended. A tour of the Birth Suite and Maternity Ward are included in the evening series and Saturday childbirth and parenting sessions. The tour is also useful for second-time parents who are new to the area and for partners/support people who are unable to attend other sessions. If the Birth Suite is full, it will not be possible to see a birthing room. A midwife will guide this tour.
When: Saturday 2:00pm-3.30pm, or Wednesday 1:00pm-2.30pm, alternate months
Venue: Meet the Midwife inside the Main Entrance of the Townsville University Hospital near the Volunteers’ Information Desk
Breastfeeding Workshops - 1 x 2.5hrs
The Townsville University Hospital is accredited as ‘baby friendly’. This initiative is a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
This workshop is run over 2.5 hours and is designed to provide advice and support with breastfeeding. Women are invited to attend from 26 weeks. The information discussed during this session helps with making an informed choice about feeding baby. It will increase knowledge and confidence with breastfeeding, how to avoid/deal with common challenges and dispel myths. Sessions are held in a friendly, relaxed environment and run by a midwife/lactation consultant (LC).
When: Usually last Monday 6.00-8.30pm; first Wednesday 10.30am-1:00pm; third Sunday 12.00pm-2.30pm. Each workshop held once a month
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Lactation Support/Clinic – 1 x 30 mins
This is a 30-minute appointment that can be a standalone session or booked to complement a Breastfeeding Workshop. This ‘one-on-one’ session is for women with concerns or special needs (for example: diabetes, multiple pregnancy, thyroid issues, previous breast surgery). Should women experience early breastfeeding challenges following the birth, they can access this service. The clinic is run by a midwife/lactation consultant.
When: By appointment
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Maternity Ward, Lactation Consultants’ Room, second floor South Block
Young Parents’ Pregnancy and Parenting Program (YPP) – 8 x 3 hours
This program runs for three hours over eight weeks during school terms. Women are invited to attend from 20 weeks. The program has been specially designed for women under 21 years of age. Partner or a support person (friend, mum, sister, aunt etc) are welcome to attend. The group is fun, relaxed and held in a safe, friendly setting and aims to help young women gain more confidence. Attendees can explore practical tips and skills for pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting. There is also a “dad’s chat” for young fathers or men (grandads, uncles etc) supporting the women. New young parents with babies under four months are welcome to come along to the sessions to chat and share their experiences. Baby can be weighed and have growth/development checks. The program is run by a midwife and a child health nurse; guest speakers come along to some of the sessions. To book call Child Youth and Family Health on 0472 836 368 or 0457 905 534 or email Young Parents Antenatal Program.
When: Most Thursdays during school terms from 9.30am-12.30pm.
Venue: Aitkenvale Library, 4 Petunia Street, 4814. Two sessions held at The Townville Hospital to allow a tour of the Birth Suite and Maternity Ward.
Birth-After-Caesarean Information Session - 1 x 2.5 hours
This session runs for 2.5 hours. Women are invited to attend from 24 weeks. The session is specially designed for women who are pregnant and have had a previous baby by a caesarean birth. This session is run by a midwife and obstetrician. For the first hour the doctor will chat about the benefits and risks of having a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC) and of a repeat caesarean. You will hear about the hospital’s policy on caring for a woman having a VBAC. The midwife will discuss ways to help women feel more prepared and confident for her birthing experience. This information sharing evening allows women to explore and discuss their thoughts, feelings and options for this birth in a friendly, safe, comfortable setting. It complements individual one-on-one discussions with care providers. There are no child-minding facilities available. Having children present can often be distracting for all attending.
When: Usually monthly 6.00 – 8.30pm, evening varies
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) / Birth Centre
Preparing for labour and birth
Women in the MGP and Birth Centre models of care will have a "birth chat" with their own midwife to help make informed choices around labour, birth and early parenting.
Some of the sessions may be appropriate for women to attend to compliment discussions with their midwife.
Physiotherapy Pregnancy Pain Session – 1 x 1.5 hours
This session runs for 90 minutes. Women may attend at any stage of pregnancy, with a referral from their healthcare provider (for example: midwife, hospital doctor or GP). It is specifically designed to help deal with issues such as aches and pains in pregnancy and difficulty in sleeping and moving around. This session has a practical component of gentle exercises to assist with pain. Women can try on and purchase pregnancy-support belts. The session is run by a physiotherapist specialising in women’s health. This session is for pregnant women only, no partners or support people. To book this session women should ask their care provider for a referral. For more information please call the Allied Health Department at the hospital on (07) 4433 2150.
When: Wednesday 10.30am - 12.00pm. Usually held every second week
Venue: Women’s and Children’s Allied Health, Ground Floor
How to Book (unless otherwise stated)
- Complete a ‘Referral Form for Childbirth and Parenting Sessions’. These forms are available at the Primary Reception Area, Health and Wellbeing Service Group (formally known as the Women's and Children's Clinic). Leave completed form in white mail box located in main reception area.
- Ask your healthcare provider (midwife / doctor / GP) to make a referral on your behalf
- Email Townsville Childbirth Education with your full name, date of birth, date baby is due, a mobile number and session preference(s).
Bookings essential as limited spaces are available.
Contact us
Townsville University Hospital
Townsville Birth Centre
Ph: (07) 4433 2779
All-Risk Midwifery Group Practice
Ph: (07) 4433 2353
Midwife Clinic Care
Ph: (07) 4433 1450
Outreach Midwife Clinic Care - Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service (TAIHS)
Ph: Jacqui 0459 815 4598
or
Mothers and Babies Clinic at TAIHS (07) 4759 4045.
Ingham Health Service
Ph: (07) 4720 3050
Ayr Health Service
Ph: (07) 4783 0855
Useful resources
Australian College of Midwives
www.midwives.org.au
Friends of the Birth Centre - Queensland Association
www.fbc.org.au
It's my choice
www.yourchildyourchoice.com.au
Pregnancy, baby and birth
www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
Raising Children Network
www.raisingchildren.net.au
Australian Breastfeeding Association
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia
www.panda.org.au
BeyondBlue - Pregnancy and new parents
www.healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au
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The Townsville Hospital and Health Service acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which our health facilities have been built. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging; and we value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and knowledge.