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Childbirth and Parenting Education Sessions
COVID-19 UPDATE: To ensure our participants and staff well-being we are adhering to the Queensland Health COVID-19 guidelines of personal hygiene and physical distancing. Strict number limits apply to face-to-face sessions. We ask that you do not attend sessions if feeling unwell. For the latest Queensland Health guidelines on COVID-19 Pregnancy and Breastfeeding click here.
Our Childbirth and Parenting Education Sessions are a great way to prepare you and your family for labour, birth and early parenting. They are offered free of charge (valid Medicare Card needed) for women birthing at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service. Dads, partners and birthing support persons are welcome and encouraged to attend. Empowering families enables them to make informed decisions during their pregnancy and parenting journey. Education, knowledge, confidence and support are key to a positive experience.
Various options are available depending on individual needs. We offer both face-to-face and online sessions. Most face-to-face sessions are held at Townsville University Hospital.
Sessions include: Preparing for Birth and Parenting, Breastfeeding, Relaxation and Massage, Early Birds, Physiotherapy, Dads Group connection, Refresher Course - “Having a Baby Again”, Young Parents Pregnancy and Parenting, Bubba Yarns and Birth after a Caesarean.
If you have not completed a referral form (available from the Women’s and Children’s Clinic or from your Midwife/Doctor), you can email the Childbirth and Education team. Please provide your name, date of birth, date baby is due, a contact phone number and session(s) you would like to attend.
If you have questions about the content of our programs or would like to talk to a midwife childbirth educator call 0457905534 Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm. Questions about bookings please call 4433 1450 Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm.
Summary of Session details
Bookings are essential for all sessions as there are limited spaces. Online sessions available.
| Options available | When |
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Online Preparing for Birth and Parenting Sessions (a two-part series) |
Evenings over four consecutive weeks 6pm - 8.30pm monthly or Saturday/Sunday daytime from 9am – 1.30pm monthly |
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Evenings over two consecutive weeks 6pm - 9pm every second month or Saturday daytime over one day 9am - 3.30pm monthly |
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Wednesday evenings 6pm – 8pm every second month, Saturdays 9am – 11am or Sunday afternoon every second month |
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| Face-to-face Relaxation and Massage Session – 1 x 3 hrs | Wednesday evenings 6pm - 9pm every second month or Saturdays 9am - 12pm monthly |
| Refresher Course - preparing for birth and parenting again – face-to-face sessions 1 x 3 hrs; online sessions 2hrs 45min |
Weekend daytime held every second month – alternating face-to-face and online options |
| Birth Suite/Maternity Unit Tour | Virtual tours only at present. Link to watch here. |
| Online Breastfeeding Session - 1 x 1.5 hrs | Saturday afternoon monthly |
| Breastfeeding Workshop – 1 x 2.5 hrs | Wednesdays 10.30am - 1.00pm monthly and Sundays 12.00pm - 2.30pm monthly |
| Breastfeeding Clinic – 1 x 30 min | Usually arranged at similar time to hospital clinic appointment |
| Young Parents’ Pregnancy and Parenting Program | Thursday mornings, weekly during school terms from 9.30am - 12.30pm |
| Face-to-face Birth After Caesarean Information Session - 1 x 2.5 hrs | Monthly, night varies, 6.00pm - 8.30pm |
| Online Birth After Caesarean Information Session - 1 x 1.5 hrs | Every second month, 6pm - 8.30pm |
| Early bird special for women between 14 and 28 weeks - 1 x 1.5hrs | Tuesday 5pm - 7pm monthly – face-to-face and online options |
| Physiotherapy Session | Group, individual and online sessions available, depending on needs |
Online Preparing for Birth and Parenting Sessions (a two-part series)
This is a two-part online series that focuses on labour and birth (part one) and hospital stays, parenting and community support (part two). It has both evenings and daytime weekend spots available.
When: Evenings over four consecutive weeks 6pm - 8.30pm monthly or Saturday/Sunday daytime from 9am – 1.30pm monthly
Face-to-face Preparing for Birth and Parenting Sessions (a two-part series)
This face-to-face series focuses on labour and birth (part one) and hospital stays, parenting and community support (part two). It has both evenings and daytime weekend spots available.
When: Evenings over two consecutive weeks 6pm - 9pm every second month or Saturday daytime over one day 9am - 3.30pm monthly
Early Bird Sessions - NEW in 2021
This session has been designed for women who are (ideally) between 14 and 24 weeks. It is great information for pregnancy and beyond. The sessions are facilitated by a midwife (30 minutes) and a physiotherapist (90 minutes). Topics discussed include: emotional wellbeing, looking after you and your growing baby, pregnancy exercise dos and don'ts, pelvic floor and back and body awareness and care as well as relaxation.
When: Tuesday 5pm - 7pm monthly – face-to-face available each month, online option available every second month
Where: Ground floor, in the Allied Health Department.
Bubba Yarns - TAIHS
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 and dads. A Townsville Hospital and Health Service midwife often joins to offer advice and answer any questions. For more information, call: (07) 4759 4039
When: Every Thursday, 10.30am - 12pm
Venue: 16 Peel Street, Garbutt
Online Relaxation and Massage for pregnancy and birth – 1 x 2 hours
This online 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 online session is run by a midwife.
When: Wednesday evenings 6pm – 8pm every second month, Saturdays 9am – 11am or Sunday afternoon every second month
Face-to-face Relaxation and Massage for pregnancy and birth – 1 x 3 hours
This face-to-face 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 evenings 6pm - 9pm every second month or Saturdays 9am - 12pm monthly
Refresher Course - 1 x 3 hours
This session is run over 3 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: Weekend during the daytime, held every second month – alternating face-to-face and online options
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Birth Suite and Maternity Ward Tour - 10 minutes, done virtually
Until further notice, Townsville University Hospital is providing a virtual tour of Birth Suite and the Maternity Ward. The virtual tour can be found here. A virtual tour is also included in the Childbirth and Parenting Series.
Face-to-face 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: Wednesdays 10.30am - 1.00pm monthly. Sundays 12.00pm - 2.30pm monthly
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Online Breastfeeding Workshops - 1 x 1.5hrs
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 online 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: Saturday afternoon monthly
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
Face-to-face 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 and young parents with babies under four months. A partner or support person (friend, mum, sister, aunt etc) is 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: Thursday mornings, weekly during school terms from 9.30am - 12.30pm
Venue: Aitkenvale Library, 4 Petunia Street, 4814. Two sessions held at Townville University 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: Monthly, night varies, 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Townsville University Hospital, Paluma Meeting Room, first floor North Block (see map)
Online Birth After Caesarean Information Session - 1 x 1.25 hours
This online session runs for 1.25 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.
When: Every second month, 6.15pm - 7.30pm
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: Online and face to face options available
Venue: Women’s and Children’s Allied Health, Ground Floor of Townsville University Hospital
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.
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.
To ensure our participants and staff well-being we are adhering to the Queensland Health COVID-19 guidelines of personal hygiene and physical distancing. Strict number limits apply to face to face sessions. We ask that you do not attend sessions if feeling unwell.
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
Referrals
To obtain a referral form:
E: Childbirth and Education team
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.