Course Outline

Lesson 1

Surviving the third trimester
Warning signs - DVT, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes
Twins
Nappies - changing, rashes, diarrhoea
Shopping - nursery, pram, car seat, etc
Baby bath demo
"In the Womb" Video

Lesson 2

Natural birth

Am I in labour?
When to go to hospital
Stages of labour
Partner’s role
Doula - guest speaker
Coping strategies - breathing, visualisation, positivity, relaxation, music, water, positions, massage etc
Practise
Advantages of natural birth
What to pack for hospital

Lesson 3

Pain relief and interventions

Pain relief - pethidine, gas, epidural, spinal, hypnosis,TENS, etc
How to avoid an episiotomy
Suction and forceps delivery
Postdates and induction
Breech
Cardiotocograph (CTG) and foetal distress

Caesarean section

Video
Guest speaker: A mom's positive experience of 5 caesars
Indications for elective and emergency caesar
Complications
Recovery
Making your caesar experience special with a "natural caesar"
Caesar birth plan
How to avoid a caesar

Premature baby

Lesson 4

Breast feeding

· Why breastfeed

· How it works

· Amazing facts

· How to get started, colostrum

· Tips for success—day by day

· How to know baby is getting enough milk?

· Problem solving

Not enough milk

Cracked nipples, tongue tie

Mastitis

Engorgement

Thrush

· Mom’s diet

· Medicines, illness, smoking

· How long should I breastfeed for?

· Breastfeeding twins

Dummies

Lesson 5

Breast feeding practical

Learning to feed (using doll/soft toy)
Different feeding positions
Expressing - by hand and pump, storing milk
Inverted nipples
Bras
Video

Natural birth practical

Videos
Labour practise
Pushing positions
Relaxation exercise
Pelvic floor exercise
Perineal massage

Lesson 6

Postnatal class

New Mom and Dad

Postnatal blues
Postnatal depression
Tips for Dads
Your marriage
Survival tips

Baby

Appearance of the newborn
Why baby cries and what to do
Dunstan baby language video
Colic
Encouraging sleep
SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome)
Jaundice
Immunisations
Survival Tips
Guest speaker: Paediatric chiropractor Dr Tony Karpelowsky on milestones and stimulation
Baby imitation video