Auckland DHB Pregnancy & Parenting Education
Free Auckland Antenatal Courses
Women’s Health at Te Whatu Ora l Te Toka Tumai provides an enhanced programme for fully funded pregnancy and parenting education. The service is for all women expecting their first baby, their partners and whānau, including young/teen parents, Māori, Pasifika and Asian parents, and parents for whom English is their second language. To qualify for this service you must live in the Te Toka Tumai boundary and be a resident of New Zealand or have visa eligibility for healthcare services.
What classes are available?
Women and their partner/support person can access Zoom, and face to face pregnancy and parenting education across multiple locations within the Te Toka Tumai area. We offer the following classes:
1. EARLY PREGNANCY CLASS: This class is for pregnant women and their partner/support person who are 12-16 weeks pregnant. It is a two hour Zoom information session to help answer all your early pregnancy questions. See the early pregnancy class schedule below then register for a class.
2. ADVANCED PREGNANCY AND PARENTING CLASS: This class is more comprehensive than the early pregnancy class, and courses are six hours long. We recommend you attend this after an early pregnancy class. You may choose from a range of class options midweek or on a Saturday - 2 x 3 hour classes run over 2 weeks, 3 x 2 hour classes over 3 weeks, or a block course of 6.5 hours on a Saturday. We offer face to face and Zoom classes. See the advanced pregnancy class schedule below then register for a class. We accept registrations from 16 weeks into pregnancy, and register to attend a class from 28 weeks into your pregnancy. Please book early to avoid disappointment. These classes fill quickly.
Classes are held in the following locations:
- Meadowbank
- Auckland City Centre, High St
- Royal Oak
- Mt Roskill
Pregnancy and Parenting topics covered include:
- The maternity system in New Zealand - the role of your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) and other health professionals, choosing where to give birth, support networks in your community, your rights and responsibilities
- Changes in pregnancy - foetal development, supports and services
- Healthy pregnancy - healthy eating, exercise, and the effects of smoking, alcohol and drug use
- Pregnancy care - antenatal checks, screening, planning for birth, complications of pregnancy
- Labour and birth - choices and options, Lead Maternity Carer (LMC), labour signs and stages, managing pain, birthing, complications and immediate care after birth
- Postnatal care - care for mother and baby, family support, body changes, rights and responsibilities
- Breastfeeding and safe sleeping - infant nutrition and safe sleep practices
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Let customers speak for us
We used this TENS machine during my wife’s labour, and it was an absolute lifesaver. From the early stages right through to active labour, it provided consistent, drug-free pain relief and gave her a real sense of control over her contractions.
The machine was easy to use, even in the middle of contractions. The boost button was especially helpful when the intensity of the pain ramped up – it gave her instant relief and something to focus on. She said the gentle tingling and pulsing sensations helped distract from the discomfort and made things much more manageable, especially before heading to the hospital.
It’s compact, reliable, and the battery lasted the entire time we needed it. This TENS machine helped delay the need for other pain relief, and it made a noticeable difference in her overall birthing experience. Highly recommend for any expecting mums – a small device that makes a big difference
This is my second baby and my second time hiring TENS. For my first birth I made it to around 7cm before I needed gas as well. For this birth I only used TENS and a birth comb (also purchased from natal care naturally) until transition. I was handling the contractions so well with the TENS that I didn’t think to call my midwife until I started to feel the urge to push. Luckily we live close to the birthing centre. Within 45 minutes of ringing my midwife baby was here. I didn’t take the TENS off until I got into the bath to give birth. Highly highly recommend! Natal care naturally are also super efficient with their shipping. Product arrived quickly and with lots of helpful little goodies. The price is also so worth it!
I hired a tens machine and would do again as many times as needed. Great product, really helped me with the contractions. It is easy to arrange for the hire, the machine is easy to operate, great customer service. Very satisfied!
Loved using the TENs machine during labour, it really helped manage the pain relief.
This service was affordable and really easy to utilise.
Everything came so quickly and packaged nicely. The instructions of how and when to use were clear and "baby brain" friendly.
Will be recommending this service to everyone.
The TENS machine was a total game-changer during labour. It helped me stay calm and in control through each contraction especially in the early and active stages. I loved having something I could manage myself, this is the second time I’ve used the TENS for my pregnancy and I honestly don’t know how I would’ve coped without it. Highly recommend to any mama-to-be!
Popped this down my bra on a tissue once contractions ramped up and it sped things up so much!
Absolutely recommend this machine for natural pain relief ! First timer for home birthing and couldn't have been better with the TENS machine.
Totally worth the effort and money. Great Tens model comparing to the ones I used before. Thank you for providing this service!
I hired a tens machine to use during early labour with the intention of a hospital birth. This got me through 6hrs of contractions! Definitely worth it and helped so much. I used with my first child too and would use it again if we had a third!
Ordered for the second time for the birth of my second daughter. Amazing pain relief. The best service and so easy receiving the machine and sending back. Thanks again!
Definitely recommend! Would not have coped without it! Natal Care was so seamless to order from and send back to. Got my deposit back promptly too!
I hired the tens machine for my second labour and wish I did it for the first! It was so helpful for those early contractions, highly recommend. If you’re on the fence about whether or not it will be worthwhile, please do it :) I promise it will be worth it
Second time hirer for natural births and it’s been the best addition to get through those contractions.
Using the tens machine got me through 8 hours of my labour! Such a good tool for channeling the pain and allowing you to focus on breathing. Absolutely recommend hiring one, it was worth its weight in gold for me.
The TENS machine was fantastic as was the service. I accidentally turned the machine off mid contraction (user error not machine error) and noticed how impactful it was. I will never labour again without one. I wish all hospitals and birthing centres had access to these.