Childbirth and parenting education in Western Sydney
Our childbirth and parenting education programs are held in Auburn, Blacktown and Westmead hospitals. Our programs help you prepare for childbirth and parenting.
About our childbirth and parenting education services
Preparing for birth and parenting is a great way to feel informed and confident. Knowing about birth and the early days with your baby helps you make the right choices for you and your family. It also helps you feel supported during this time.
Every birth is unique. The following can help you achieve a positive birth:
- Knowledge
- Practical tools
- A great support team
A positive birth experience can set the tone for early parenting. This helps new parents feel capable, connected, and confident in their new roles.
Who we are
Our educators are qualified midwives and physiotherapists with specialist training in childbirth and parenting education.
Where we are located
We offer online and in-person education services and workshops at Auburn, Blacktown and Westmead hospitals.
- Auburn Hospital: our in-person courses are held in Conference Room 1 on Level 5.
- Blacktown Hospital: our in-person courses are held in the Outpatients 1 Meeting Room on Level 3.
- Westmead Hospital: our in-person courses are held in the Westmead Education and Conference Centre, located via entrance 4 in Westmead Hospital. To find the centre, walk straight past the pharmacy on the left, and take the first corridor to your left. Most of Westmead Hospitals course are offered online as well.
How the service works
Expectant parents and their support person can attend our group sessions, which provide inside knowledge and practical tips to:
- Help you understand what will happen in your labour and birth
- Discover the power of breastfeeding
- Attend to your baby's needs in the first few weeks.
All our classes are interactive with group work, discussions, videos and presentations. Participants have reported feeling more confident giving birth and better prepared for the labour, birth and parenting journey.
Auburn courses and booking information
Auburn Birthing and Parenting Workshop
Join us for the Auburn Birthing and Parenting Workshop, a three-week series to support future parents as they prepare for the incredible journey of parenthood. If you attend in person, the workshop includes a tour of the Birth Unit. You have the option to attend this workshop online. However, we encourage you to attend in person.
The Auburn birth and parenting workshop is a three week course. The workshops are held on Fridays from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Note: You must be birthing your baby at Auburn Hospital to book into this workshop.
For more information email wslhd-antenatalclasses@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- Week 1: Pregnancy and early labour
- Week 2: Labour and birth - Includes birth unit tour
- Week 3: Babies and breastfeeding
Cost
- Free for women with Medicare birthing at Auburn Hospital.
- $176 per class or $528 for the full course for women without Medicare birthing at Auburn Hospital.
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Breastfeeding workshops
Please note that currently Auburn Hospital does not offer any standalone breastfeeding workshops. For breastfeeding workshops, you are welcome to book at Westmead Hospital.
Blacktown courses and booking information
Breastfeeding Education
Blacktown Hospital provides online antenatal (before birth) breastfeeding education classes to help you prepare for the arrival of your baby. This 1-hour session is held online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Partners are encouraged to attend.
Note: You must be birthing your baby at Blacktown Hospital to book into this workshop. For more information email wslhd-btnchildbirthparentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- Understanding how Breastmilk is produced by your body
- Correct attachment to the breast and different positions
- Normal behaviour for breastfed babies
- Where to seek help once discharged from the hospital's care
Cost
- Free for women with Medicare birthing at Blacktown Hospital.
- A fee applies for women without Medicare birthing at Blacktown Hospital.
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend. You must be giving birth at Blacktown Hospital to attend any of the free classes.
Breastfeeding Education for Diabetic Mothers
The session focuses on antenatal breastfeeding information that is suitable in preparation for the arrival of your baby. This is a one-hour interactive online breastfeeding antenatal session will be via Microsoft Teams on a Tuesday 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Partners are encouraged to attend.
Program
- Understanding how Breast milk is produced by your body
- Correct attachment to the breast and different positions
- Normal behaviour for breastfed babies
- Where to seek help once discharged from the hospital's care
Cost
- Free for women with Medicare birthing at Blacktown Hospital.
- A fee applies for women without Medicare birthing at Blacktown Hospital.
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend. You must be giving birth at Blacktown Hospital to attend any of the free classes.
Childbirth and Parenting Class
First time expectant parents benefit enormously from these classes as there is plenty of time to interact and discuss a range of topics from labour and birth to breastfeeding and early parenting. Both online workshops and in person workshops are available.
These sessions are facilitated by the suitably qualified Childbirth and Parenting Education facilitator and uses various methods to engage clients. For more information email WSLHD-BTNChildbirthParentingEducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
Topics include but not limited to:
- Preparation for birthing your baby
- Signs of labour and how you can manage
- The role of the support person
- Pain relief options - both natural and medical
- The different ways in which babies are born - natural and assisted birth
- Expectations and choices when your pregnancy passes the estimated due date
- What to pack for your hospital stay
- Parenting skills and caring for baby
- Baby safety
- Becoming parents
Cost
- Saturday classes in person - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm $200
- Wednesday classes online - 11:00am to 12:00 pm FREE
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend. You must be giving birth at Blacktown Hospital to attend any of the free classes.
Westmead courses and booking information
At Westmead Hospital we provide a variety of programs to meet the individual needs of expectant parents. We encourage all pregnant women to attend with their partner or a chosen birth companion.
Quick links to book your workshop:
Breastfeeding workshops
Positive birth and parenting workshop weeknights
Positive birth and parenting workshop weekend
Positive birth and parenting workshop for mandarin speakers
Expanding the nest: One day refresher for parents
Parenting workshops
Twins or more workshop
Baby and child CPR and first aid classes
Exercise and back care in pregnancy – Women only
Breastfeeding education
Westmead Hospital offers three different breastfeeding courses:
Breastfeeding information session: Two hours (large group). Cost - Free
Positive breastfeeding workshop: Three hours (small group). Free if booked into a two-day weekend birth and parenting workshop. Otherwise, a small fee is payable.
Breastfeeding education for pregnant women with diabetes: Free. Available in English and other languages.
For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Breastfeeding information session
Westmead Hospital Women's and Newborn Health offer a breastfeeding information session, which you are invited to attend. You must be giving birth at either Westmead or Auburn Hospital to attend this session. We run this session once a month. Our breastfeeding information session is open to a larger audience of up to 40 people. This information session will be presented face to face in the education block at Westmead Hospital.
Program
- Why breastfeeding is important and the risks of not breastfeeding
- How your breasts make milk- supply and demand
- Skin to skin contact and the first feed
- Feeding cues and when to feed baby
- Positioning and attachment of baby at the breast
- Rooming in- staying close to baby
- Normal newborn behaviour
- Signs baby is feeding well
- Normal weight changes for baby and breast changes for mum
- Community supports
- Returning to work- expressing breast milk
- Impact of dummies and bottle feeding on breastfeeding
- Common breastfeeding problems
- Contraception
Cost
- Free
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend. You must be giving birth at Westmead or Auburn Hospitals to attend this free class.
Positive breastfeeding workshop
This comprehensive Positive Breastfeeding Workshop runs for three hours. You can attend the workshop either face-to-face or online. The workshop is held on a Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm or a Saturday from 9.00 am to 12:00 pm. It is ideal for:
- Women and their partners attending the two-day Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop
- Women who have had previous difficulties breastfeeding
- Women who require additional information not provided in other programs.
This program is interactive and more comprehensive than our two-hour breastfeeding information session. A maximum of ten couples attend our Positive Breastfeeding Workshop to ensure you have plenty of opportunities to interact and ask questions. For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- Understanding how breastfeeding works
- Positions for breastfeeding
- Signs of successful breastfeeding
- Normal behaviours for breastfed babies
- Identifying possible breastfeeding problems and what to do
- Where to get help
- Partner’s role - a key to successful breastfeeding
- Diet, medications and alcohol with breastfeeding
- Feeling confident
Cost
- Free if you have booked a Saturday or Sunday Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop
- $35.00 for women birthing at Westmead Public Hospital
- $55.00 for women birthing somewhere else
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Breastfeeding education for pregnant women with diabetes
This class is for pregnant women who have gestational diabetes or diabetes prior to pregnancy.
These sessions run weekly on Thursdays for one and a half hours from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. This education session is conducted face to face and online options are also available. This program is only available for women giving birth at Westmead and Auburn Hospitals.
This breastfeeding workshop gives you the correct information and support for breastfeeding your baby when you have diabetes and is facilitated by a member of the lactation team. It will provide additional information not covered in other programs. For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- The importance of breastfeeding with diabetes
- Gaining confidence with hand expressing and breastfeeding
- How to store Colostrum prior to baby's birth
- The importance of skin to skin immediately after birth
- Feeding frequently and effectively
- Managing low blood sugar levels in baby and avoiding separation
- What happens if my baby needs to go to the Special Care Nursery
- Breastfeeding resources
Cost
- Free
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend. You must be giving birth at Westmead or Auburn Hospitals to attend this free class.
Booking online is for both English and Mandarin speaking persons.
Childbirth and parenting education
Expecting a baby is one of life’s most incredible, and sometimes overwhelming, milestones. While birth can be unpredictable, feeling informed, supported and well prepared makes all the difference. When you and your partner have practical knowledge, helpful techniques and the right guidance, you’re giving yourselves, and your baby, the best chance for a positive, confident birth experience.
We strongly encourage attending our classes face-to-face, as the in-person experience allows for hands-on practice and getting to know fellow expectant parents. However, a Zoom option is available for those who need flexibility.
You can choose the format that suits you best:
- A six-week weeknight series (2 hours 15 minutes each session)
- Or two sessions held on consecutive Saturdays or Sundays (6 hours each)
- Mandarin classes are available
- One day refresher workshop for parents with children
For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Weeknight Birth and Parenting Workshops
We’d love to support you as you prepare for this exciting next chapter. This face-to-face or online interactive workshop is held one evening a week for 6 weeks and:
- Runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes from 6.45pm to 9:00pm and includes a supper break
- Held on weeknights (Monday to Thursday) to suit your schedule
- The first three sessions cover labour and birth
- The remaining 3 sessions focus on starting out with baby, parenting and breastfeeding.
Program
- How labour starts
- Labouring at home and when to come to hospita
- Positions for labour and birth - being active
- Normal birth
- Techniques for labour and birth
- Acupressure and massage
- Breathing and relaxation
- Tour of the birth unit in Westmead Hospital
- Birth requiring medical assistance
- Breastfeeding
- Calming an unsettled baby
- Communicating with your baby
- Parenting issues - including postnatal depression, returning to work, roles and identities.
Cost
- $210 for women giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public)
- $340 for women birthing elsewhere
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Two Day Birth and Parenting Workshops
We’d love to support you as you prepare for this exciting next chapter. This face-to-face or online interactive workshop is held on the weekends.
- Runs for six hours from 9.00am to 3:00pm and includes a couple of breaks
- Held on either a Saturday or Sunday for two consecutive weeks For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- How labour starts
- Labouring at home and when to come to hospital
- Positions for labour and birth – being active
- Normal birth
- Techniques for labour and birth
- Acupressure
- Massage
- Breathing and relaxation
- Tour of the Birth Unit
- Birth requiring medical assistance
- Breastfeeding
- Calming an unsettled baby
- Communicating with your baby
- Parenting issues – including postnatal depression, returning to work, roles and identities.
- And more!
Please note that this workshop doesn’t include breastfeeding. If you book into this workshop, you can attend the positive breastfeeding workshop for free.
Cost
- $210 for women giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public)
- $340 for women birthing elsewhere
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop for Mandarin speakers
分娩和养育中文产前学习班
This interactive course will be presented face to face in the education block at Westmead Hospital.
互动课程将会在Westmead 医院教学区面对面地进行。
You do have the option to attend this course online through Zoom from home. However, we encourage you to attend face to face to get most out of the program.
你也可以选择通过在家进行Zoom 线上视频来参与课程。但我们强烈鼓励面对面的学习从而得到最大化的收获。
This program is designed to meet the learning needs of women and their partners who speak Mandarin. The program explores western birth and parenting practices and procedures used at Westmead hospital. You must be birthing your baby at Westmead Public Hospital to receive a discounted fee. All women booked to birth their baby at another hospital must pay the full fee. When completing the booking please enter the details of the pregnant woman only. The series are culturally sensitive and facilitated by a midwife, fluent in Mandarin who is also a new migrant mother and Certified Childbirth Educator.
这个学习班的目的在于满足说中文的孕妇和她伴侣对于生儿育女知识方面学习的需求。 该课程主要讲述Westmead 医院对于生产分娩和养育孩子所给的建议和常规医院操作流程。如果你将在Westmead 医院生下你的宝宝，那你将享受医院提供的折扣报名费价格。如果孕妇将是在其他医院定点分娩， 那就需要全额付款。当完成报名时请只填写孕妇相关信息。 整个课程将由具有相似文化背景和教学经验的中文助产士来讲授。
The program is run on Friday evenings 6:45 pm to 09:00 pm for 6 weeks or Sundays from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm for two weeks.
该课程可选：连续六周的每周五晚上18:45hrs 到21:00hrs 或者 连续二周的每周日从上午09:00hrs 到下午15:00hrs.
Program
- Mind and body working together 如何让心理和身体互相配合
- Labouring at home and when to come to hospital 分娩早期阶段在家如何调适以及什么时候可以去医院
- Positions for labour and birth – being active 生产分娩的位置—活动起来
- Birth with confidence 对生产分娩提高自信心
- Evidence based Techniques for labour and birth 被医学研究证实的一些有利于生产分娩的技巧方法
- Acupressure 穴位按压
- Massage 按摩
- Breathing and relaxation 呼吸和放松
- Tour of the Birth Unit 影像式产房参观
- Special circumstances: Medicine as back up 特殊情况： 医疗干预以防万一。
- Calming an unsettled baby 安抚哭闹的宝宝
- Communicating with your baby 与宝宝进行交流
- Parenting issues – including postnatal depression, returning to work, roles and identities 养育照顾宝宝的一些问题—包括产后忧郁症， 回去上班， 社会角色的转。
- And more!! 以及其他相关问题。
Cost 费用
- $210.00 for women birthing at Westmead Hospital 在Westmead 医院定点分娩的孕妇。
- $340.00 for women who are birthing elsewhere 针对在其他医院定点分娩的孕妇。
Booking
Bookings Essential: One ticket for two people 预约需知: 二个参与人只需买一张票。 For class dates and bookings please see our课程时间和预约方式，请浏览我们的 Humanitix page 网页或者 or email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au.
Expanding the nest: One day refresher for parents
Welcoming another child is a joyful and transformative time but it can also bring new questions, concerns, and challenges, even for experienced parents. This one-day course is designed specifically for parents who have “been there before” but want to feel confident, supported, and prepared for the next chapter.
The Expanding the Nest workshop is a one-day program held on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can attend in person at Westmead Hospital or online via Zoom. The session runs for six hours and includes a scheduled lunch break. For more information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
In this practical and engaging refresher session, we will:
- Revisit the labour and birth process, with updated insights and gentle reminders.
- Guided tour of the birth unit.
- Explore new strategies for managing birth with a toddler in the mix.
- Discuss emotional shifts and family dynamics as you welcome a second baby.
- Provide practical tips for feeding, sleeping, and settling with two children.
- Focus on the partner’s role and how they can offer meaningful support.
- Share ways to prepare older siblings for the arrival of a new baby.
- Offer space to reflect, ask questions, and connect with other second-time parents.
Cost
- $105 for women giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public)
- $170 for women birthing elsewhere
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Parenting workshops
Positive Parenting Workshop brings together the skills you need to bring your baby home and parent confidently. The four hour long workshop explores the reality of parenting. We recommended you attend this course from around 28 weeks. The workshop is held on Saturday afternoons 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This interactive course will be presented face to face in the education block at Westmead Hospital. You do have the option to attend this course online through Zoom from home. However, we encourage you to attend face to face to get most out of the program.
Over the four hours you will develop skills you need to bring your baby home and parent successfully. If this is your first baby, we strongly recommend that you attend the Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop. However, if you are booked in for a caesarean birth, this workshop is ideal for you. For further information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au.
Program
Topics include but not limited to:
- Calming an unsettled baby
- Communicating with your baby
- Parenting issues – including postnatal depression, roles and identities
- Understanding your baby's needs
- Safety and equipment
- And more!!
Cost
- $50 for women giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public)
- $95 for women birthing elsewhere
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Twins and more workshops
This program is tailored to meet the learning needs of couples expecting Twins or more. Participants are expected to have already attended or plan to attend the Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop. However, if you have other children, this may be all you need to learn about dealing with more than one baby. The workshop provides information on understanding your baby's needs, settling techniques, home safety and equipment, handling and caring for your babies, and becoming a family with multiple babies.
The Twins or More Workshop is an interactive course and is presented face-to-face in the education block at Westmead Hospital. Although you can attend it online through Zoom from home, we encourage you to attend face-to-face to get the most out of the program. This workshop is offered on Saturday mornings. It starts at 9:00 am and finishes at 1:00 pm, with a morning tea break.
For further information email wslhd-westmead-parentingeducation@health.nsw.gov.au
Program
- Pregnancy with twins or more
- Birth options
- What to expect with multiple babies
- Breastfeeding more than one
- Parenting issues, including postnatal depression, returning to work, roles and identities
- Caring for your new babies and any others
- Opportunity for questions and discussion
- Finding out what help is available in the community
- Meet other couples expecting more than one.
Cost
- $35 Discount price for two people if you have ATTENDED the Positive Birth and Parenting Workshop
- $70 for women giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public)
- $120 for women giving birth elsewhere
Booking
Booking is essential. Please note that one ticket is required to be purchased for you and one support person to attend.
Baby and child CPR and first aid courses
Westmead Women's and Newborn Health offers CPR for baby and child first aid courses, which you are invited to attend. CPR Kids runs the courses at Westmead Hospital. Fully qualified paediatric registered nurses facilitate the sessions. These sessions run for three hours on
- Thursday evenings 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Sunday morning 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
These interactive sessions offer many opportunities to ask questions throughout the day. We can accommodate up to 24 people in a session.
You may be about to become a mother or father for the first time or may already have small children. The CPR Kids sessions aim to answer all your questions and explain any myths you may have heard regarding CPR on babies and children.
Babies and breastfeeding are welcome within all our CPR kid’s classes!
This course is available in English and Mandarin.
Program
We know that what you do in the minutes before medical help arrives will impact the outcome of your child's health. Our classes make you confident to manage an emergency with your child. Over 3 hours, our paediatric nurses share their years of experience with you. The entire class will get the chance to put evidence-based theory into practice on our lifelike baby and child CPR manikins. This means that you know not only what to do but also precisely how to do it because every second counts in an emergency.
Cost
- Per Person $126.50 plus fees
- Per Couple $253.00 plus fees
Booking
Booking is essential.
Exercise and back care in pregnancy – women only
The pregnancy and back care class is designed for women who are interested in keeping fit and healthy during their pregnancy. It is facilitated by a physiotherapist who specialises in pregnancy related issues. There is plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. The class is for women of any gestation; however we recommend you book into the first available session. The class is designed as a 'one off' and is not designed to be attended more than once.
This session includes information, education and a brief gentle exercise session to assist you ease your aches and pains and keep fit and healthy in pregnancy.
WOMEN EXPERIENCING LOW BACK AND PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
This class is for women only. There is no child-minding available. The pregnancy and back care class will be held in either:
- The seminar rooms of the Education and Conference Centre at Westmead Hospital
- Online
Program
During the session, you will explore:
- Changes and discomforts of pregnancy
- Back and pelvic pain: management strategies
- Exercises to help you stay fit and feel good in pregnancy, including a brief gentle exercise session
- Pelvic floor muscle function
- Fitness and exercise guidelines
Cost
- Free
Booking
Booking is essential. You must be giving birth at Westmead Hospital (public) to attend this free class.
Information and support for fathers
Becoming a dad is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming journey. At Western Sydney Local Health District, we encourage all fathers and partners to feel informed, confident and involved in their baby’s arrival and early parenting. Our teams offer birth, breastfeeding and parenting education classes designed to support you in understanding what to expect, how to support your partner, and how to care for your newborn. We also invite you to explore the resources below for further information, advice and support.
- Dad's guide to fatherhood
- A guide for dads: Caring for your family during perinatal mental illness
- DadSpace
- Support for Fathers
- Support for Dads
- SMS4dads - free text messages, support and tips for dads and dads-to-be
- SMS4DeadlyDads - free text messages, support and tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads
- Fathers: getting involved
- MensLine Australia - free telephone and online counselling for men in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of our education sessions have a fee to help cover the cost of providing high-quality classes. Our experienced educators are paid per session, and course fees contribute to ensuring we can continue to offer well-prepared, evidence-based education for families.
Childbirth and parenting education classes are not claimable through Medicare. However, many private health funds offer rebates for antenatal and parenting education.
To check your eligibility, we recommend contacting your private health fund directly. If you require an itemised certificate of attendance to submit a claim, please contact the Parenting Education team at your hospital and this can be provided to you.
We warmly welcome partners to attend our education classes and encourage their involvement throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and early parenting.
The Pregnancy and Back Care class, however, is a women-only session that partners cannot attend.
We suggest booking your classes from around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Early booking helps ensure you can attend your preferred program and dates.
Bookings can still be made later in pregnancy; however, availability may be limited as classes often fill quickly.
We understand that plans can change. If you’re unable to attend your booked class series, you may be able to transfer to another series if places are available and at least three weeks’ notice is provided.
Individual sessions within a series cannot be rescheduled.
Please contact your hospital’s Parenting Education team to discuss any booking changes.
An email enquiry does not confirm your place in a class. To secure your booking, please use the ‘Book Online’ button for the class you want at your hospital and complete the registration process. Your place is confirmed once you receive a booking confirmation from the online system.
No, you do not get a full or partial refund for classes you don’t attend.
A refund may be given only in the following circumstances:
- Premature birth
- Hospital admission
- Cancellation request three weeks prior to the class commencement date.
An administration fee of $30 will be incurred on cancellation requests with less than three weeks’ notice.
NO REFUND will be given for cancellation requests less than three days before the class commencement date unless for premature birth or hospital admission.
NO REFUND will be given for change of mind after the program has commenced.