Quicklinks
Childbirth and parenting education sessions
Our preparing for birth and parenting sessions cover a variety of topics to assist you with the transition to parenthood.
Townsville University Hospital offers both face-to-face and online interactive sessions.
This service is free for women (with a valid Medicare card) who birth through the Townsville Hospital and Health Service. We encourage women to bring a support person to all sessions, except complex needs breastfeeding. Dads, partners or another support person are welcome.
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How to book
To secure your place, we recommend you book most sessions at 20 weeks and attend between 28 and 36 weeks.
For early pregnancy 101 or next birth after caesarean sessions, you should book from 12 weeks and attend between 14 and 24 weeks.
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To attend our free childbirth and parenting education sessions you need to submit a referral form.
Forms are available at the Women and Children's Clinic reception at Townsville University Hospital or from your midwife or doctor during an appointment.
Return your completed form to the reception or email it to {"ct":"w1Y5jpQOLoR3IHqs0IafXj38raspDaiZp2JsG2AZJfQhElflIt3MZ6LuZOoZWJj0","iv":"c4bdd86fb285f3bc4c0b9d9448998c63","s":"5594f8a1f853e6fd"}.
Alternatively, call (07) 4433 1450 and the team can complete the referral form on your behalf.
You will need the following information when you call:
- Your full name, date of birth, hospital UR patient identification number if known, and your due date
- Mobile phone number and email address
- Your model of care
- Session preferences - please provide two face-to-face options for each session and an online option
You will receive an SMS confirmation for your booking four weeks before your session and a reminder SMS two days before.
If you are unable to attend or need to reschedule call (07) 4433 1450 or cancel on the YourQH app.
It is recommended you attend our sessions in the following order:
- Early pregnancy 101 followed by next birth after caesarean or young parents' session if applicable
- Relaxation and massage
- Preparing for birth and parenting series or if applicable refresher course - preparing 'again' for birth and parenthood
- Breastfeeding session most suited to your individual needs
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Where are sessions held?
Unless otherwise stated, face-to-face sessions are held at the Townsville Hospital, Staff Health Hub.
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This is a separate building to the side of the Acute Mental Health Services and diagonally opposite our Emergency Department near the roundabout. The Childbirth and Parenting Room entrance is at the back of the building.
Participants should bring snacks and refreshments if desired, limited cafe facilities are available after hours.
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How to connect to online sessions?
Online sessions are run using Microsoft Teams. You can join us from the comfort of your own home. Download the app here.
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A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to you before the session. Download the app or install Microsoft Teams at least 30 minutes before the session to ensure you are ready and your equipment is working.
You do not need to create an account.
Microsoft Teams works best on a computer or tablet. There is reduced functionality if a smart phone is used.
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Our sessions
Early pregnancy 101 (2-hour session)
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What is covered?
- Looking after you and your growing baby
- Asking questions and Informed decision making about your care
- Pregnancy and exercise – the dos and don’ts
- Back and body awareness and care
- Pelvic floor care
- Emotional and physical wellbeing
- Relaxation techniques
Who runs the session?
This session is run by a midwife and a physiotherapist.
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Relaxation and massage (3-hour session)
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What is covered?
- Pain perceptions and relaxation techniques
- Mind and body connections – hormonal interplay in labour
- Creating a calming birth environment
- Tips for support people
- Coping strategies including useful positions, movement, breath awareness, visualisation and massage
Who runs the session?
This session is run by midwives.
What to bring?
- Two pillows
- Sarong, large towel, and yoga mat if available
- Please wear comfortable clothing like leggings or similar
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Preparing for birth and parenting series (various sessions)
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There are three different options for attending this series.
- Face-to-face on weeknights - four 2.5-hour sessions
- Face-to-face on weekends - two 4.5 hour sessions
- Online - two 3.5 hour sessions
Face-to-face session are for women who do not receive midwifery care through our Birth Centre or Midwifery Group Practice. Online sessions are available to all women who birth through the Townsville University Hospital. Birth Centre or Midwifery Group Practice patients can request to be added to a waitlist and fill available spaces at face-to-face sessions.
What is covered?
- When to come to hospital
- Physiological labour and birth
- Variances in birth including induction and caesarean birth
- Informed decision making
- Comfort measures, pain relief options; tips for dads, partners and support people
- Skin to skin, early breastfeeding
- Hospital stay, after birth care, nappy changing, settling baby
- Emotional wellness
- Adapting to parenthood
- Community support
- Includes a Dads Group Connection
Who runs the sessions?
These sessions are run by a midwife.
What to bring?
- Nappy
- Wrap for swaddling
- Doll or teddy if available
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Introduction to breastfeeding (2.5-hour session)
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What is covered?
- Baby Friendly Health Initiative’s infant feeding policy and the Ten Steps to WHO Successful Breastfeeding
- Making an informed choice about feeding baby - why breastfeed?
- Labour, birth and postnatal practices to support breastfeeding
- Newborn output and changes
- Expressing and storing breast milk– donor milk
- Breastfeeding FAQs
- Avoiding and overcoming common breastfeeding issues and challenges
- Resources, community support and where to receive help, including the Australia Breastfeeding Association
Who runs the session?
This session is run by a midwife lactation consultant.
What to bring?
- Doll or teddy if available
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Complex needs breastfeeding (2.5-hour session)
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Who can attend?
Pregnant women with:
- previous serious feeding issues or concerns that have impacted on emotional or physical wellbeing
- multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- complex pregnancy where after the birth baby will require special assistance or considerations
Support people, dads and partners can not attend this session.
What is covered?
- Content is adapted to meet the group's needs
Who runs the sessions?
This session is run by a midwife lactation consultant.
What to bring?
- Doll or teddy if available
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Lactation support and clinic (30-minute session)
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Our lactation consultants attend the Women and Children's Antenatal Clinic on Tuesday mornings at Townsville University Hospital to offer additional support to women at their 34-week appointment. No booking is required.
Lactation consultants also offer one-on-one 30-minute appointments which can be a stand-alone session or to complement a group breastfeeding session.
Who should attend a one-on-one session?
- Women with special needs when feeding baby. This could include women with diabetes, multiple pregnancy, thyroid issues, previous breast surgery or previous breastfeeding challenges.
- Women experiencing early breastfeeding challenges requiring additional support following birth. If this is you, we suggest you attend the session with your baby. Dad, partners or a support person are welcome.
Where is it held?
This session is held at the lactation consultants' room in our maternity ward on level two of the Townsville University Hospital.
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Young parents' sessions (two 2-hour sessions)
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This is a drop-in session which is only offered face-to-face, no booking is required. Our young parents' session can complement other preparing for birth, breastfeeding and parenting sessions.
Text 0457 905 534 for more information.
Who should attend?
- Pregnant women 21 years and under
- Dads, partners or a support person are welcome
- Expectant mothers are welcome to attend solo
When and where are sessions held?
Townsville University Hospital sessions:
- Held on the last Thursday of the month at 1pm to 3pm. Attendees should meet inside the main hospital entrance.
- This session will cover tips for labour and birth and includes a tour of our birth suite and maternity ward.
Kirwan Health Campus sessions:
- Held on the first Thursday of the month 1pm to 3pm. Attendees should meet inside the IMPS building at Kirwan Health Campus (138 Thuringowa Drive, 4817).
- This session will cover early parenthood and what to expect when baby arrives, baby care, and community support.
Who runs the sessions?
This session is run by a midwife and child youth and family health nurse.
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Refresher course - preparing 'again' for birth and parenthood (1.5-hour session)
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This session is only offered face-to-face and is for women who have previously had a baby.
What is covered?
The following topics will be discussed during a tour of our birth suite and maternity ward:
- When to come to hospital
- Physiological labour and birth
- Informed decision making
- Comfort measures, pain relief options; tips for dad / the support person
- Skin to skin, early breastfeeding
- Emotional wellness
- Adapting to parenthood again - early parenting and siblings
- Community support
Where is it held?
Meet inside the main entrance of Townsville University Hospital.
Who runs the session?
This session is run by a midwife.
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Next birth after caesarean (2.5-hour session)
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This session is for women who are pregnant and have previously had a baby by caesarean birth and their support person or partner.
What’s covered:
- The pros and cons of having a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC) and having a repeat caesarean section, both elective and emergency
- The hospital’s policy on caring for a woman having a VBAC and having a caesarean section
- Options and informed decision making
- Practical tips to be more prepared and confident for the birthing experience
- Where to go to for support
This session complements individual one-on-one discussions with health care providers and is run by a midwife and obstetrician.
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Virtual birth suite and maternity ward tour (10 minutes)
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Watch now
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Bubba Yarns - TAIHS
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Bubba Yarns is friendly, weekly event held at TAIHS Yemani Meta in Garbutt. It is for pregnant families and families with little bubbas. Come yarn together, be social and supportive with other mums, dads and families.
A midwife often joins to provide support and answer questions. For more information call: (07) 4759 4039.
Bubba Yarns is held every Thursday between 10.30am – 12.00pm at 16 Peel Street, Garbutt, 4814.
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Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)/Birth Centre
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Women birthing through the Midwifery Group Practice and Birth Centre models of care will have a "birth chat" with their midwife around 36 weeks. Dads, partners and support people can participate.
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The Townsville Hospital and Health Service acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which our health facilities have been built and on which we meet today.
We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging; and we value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and knowledge.