Congratulations on your pregnancy! Register Now for our childbirth classes.
Our childbirth classes are one of the most popular and
comprehensive in the Manawatu. We run approximately 15 classes
each year, with up to 12 couples in each class. Our
childbirth classes are run by qualified Childbirth Educators,
assisted by Parents Centre volunteers. Registration in our childbirth classes includes a 1 year membership with Palmerston North Parents Centre.
We recommend booking into classes as early as possible and that you start class around week 26-30 of your pregnancy, finishing at 34-38 weeks pregnant.
Our classes cover a variety of essential topics such as:
- emotional & physical changes in
pregnancy and postnatally,
- pelvic awareness,
- optimal
foetal positioning,
- looking after yourself in pregnancy,
- informed consent and the LMC partnership,
- patterns of labour,
- hormonal blueprint of labour and birth,
- working with vs managing pain,
- birth skills,
- breastfeeding,
- the golden hour,
- life with a newborn,
- early
parenting,
- keeping babies safe, and
- a hospital tour
Coffee Groups
After each childbirth education course has been completed, most classes continue to meet informally as a “coffee group”.
Our coffee groups provide ongoing social meetings and parenting support and are a key reason many of our members choose to join Parents Centre. We also set up a Facebook group for the class at the beginning, so you can interact on the page and your Childbirth Educator can provide you with resources along the way to read in your own time. Register here now
Our Educator Team
Our centre has fantastic educators that are all very passionately involved in pregnancy, maternity and postnatal education in various roles in our region.
Teresa Watson - Childbirth Educator
Hi I'm Teresa, a member of the Childbirth Education team at Palmerston North Parents Centre.
I have a background in Homebased Education, working as a Homebased Educator for a number of years, am a qualified primary school teacher and have volunteered for Palmerston North Parents Centre for 8.5 years in a variety of roles. I am the facilitator of the Baby and You programme at Palmerston North Parents Centre and also facilitate Practical Parenting classes from time to time. I graduated with a Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and early Parenting to become a qualified Transition to Parenting Educator in early 2022.
I live in Ashhurst with my husband Andrew and our two daughters, Lily 9 and Eva 6. Between us we have a gaggle of chickens, three cats, our rescue pup 'Nova' and a growing collection of tropical fish. We love the outdoors and animals and our wild garden keeps us busy.
My experiences in birth and early parenting, are the driving reason for my love of this role. I am passionate about supporting new families; providing them with information/skills to empower them to make informed choices on their journey to develop their unique family rhythm.
I look forward to meeting and working with new families on their pregnancy, childbirth and parenting journey
Saritta Burney - Childbirth Educator
Hi, I'm Saritta, a new member of the Childbirth Education team at Palmerston North Parents Centre after completing the new Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting (Childbirth Education).
While new to the Childbirth Education team at the Centre, I have been a volunteer for Parents Centre for 8+ years now in a variety of roles. I currently tautoko the current Committee Executive after stepping down from the role to join the Childbirth Education team.
I live in rural Feilding with my husband Ryan and our Son, JJ. Between us we have a small mob of sheep, a cat called Socky (short for Socrates), and a small collection of freeloading chickens.
My experiences in pregnancy, birth and early parenting are the reason for completing the diploma and joining the Childbirth Education team. I have a passion that soon-to-be parents are supported in their journey to parenthood - in their birth, parenting and beyond. This means ensuring, they have the information and skills to enable them to make informed choices in their journey to and through parenthood.
I look forward to meeting and working with soon-to-be on their childbirth and parenting journey.
Nicola Reid - Childbirth Educator
I'm Nicola Reid, proud Mama, Rugby wife, occasion Secondary School teacher and regular CBE for Palmerston North Parents' Centre. I am married to Nick and together we have three boys; Micah, Amon and Hugo.
My life has been a bit too full in recent years, so I am really looking forward to simplifying things. My most important role is, of course, Mama. Most days see me running the school-preparation gauntlet that involves ensuring satisfactory teeth-brushing, extracting children from their pjs and the military operation that is loading the car in a manner that maintains lunchbox contents. I then dance around the lego pieces on our floor, fight my way through the laundry pile and engage with my other boys. This might sound chaotic but it makes my heart sing. Time with my boys is incredibly nourishing.
I am also a Secondary School teacher and keep my hand in by relieving regularly.
Becoming pregnant in 2008 started quite the love affair with pregnancy, labour, childbirth and parenting. What I found, however, was my own positive feelings about the journey were not met with the same enthusiasm by others. This got me thinking about the way we seem to treat our birthing population - judging, frightening, belittling and assuming. I felt I could potentially do something about this, so I set about my studies. My hope is that I empower others to discover the tools they require to find their own way that is proudly and unapologetically unique to them. Informed decision making and embracing our autonomy are at the centre of this. I really believe that if a journey is based around these things, the experience can be really positive regardless of what happens along the way.
