Resources for Expectant Parents
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Find the right birth and parenting education program to prepare your family with knowledge and confidence.
Greater Confidence
Almost all parents report greater confidence to deal with labour, birth and becoming parents
Knowledge Reduces Fear
Knowledge usually reduces fear. Knowledge usually promotes confidence.
Connect with Others
Meet other expectant parents in your area — some life-long friendships start at antenatal courses!
Preparing for Birth and Parenting
Congratulations on your pregnancy or welcoming a new baby. This is an exciting time, and it’s natural to have many questions as you begin planning for your growing family.
A helpful first step is to visit your GP to discuss your options and obtain a referral to your local public maternity service, a private obstetrician, or other antenatal care providers.
Actively participating in Childbirth and Parenting Education Groups enhances the information gained at your antenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor — and almost all parents who attend report greater confidence, better relaxation skills, and an amazing insight into newborn baby behaviour.
Would you like to…
- Have more time to think of and ask all your questions about labour and birth?
- Consider everything related to bringing home your baby?
- Clarify what you have read on websites, in books, seen on TV and heard from others?
- Meet others who are also becoming new parents?
If yes, a childbirth and parenting education course is for you!
Types of Programs Available
From early pregnancy through to parenting support — find the right program for your family
Early Pregnancy Programs
Short courses during early pregnancy focusing on body changes, safe exercise and what’s normal.
Birth & Parenting Programs
The core antenatal course covering labour, birth, newborn care and early parenting — averaging 12 hours.
Breastfeeding Programs
Stand-alone courses to build knowledge and skills for breastfeeding before your baby arrives.
Especially for Dads
Separate sessions for expectant dads to discuss practical ways to support their family through the transition to parenthood.
Online Courses
For those in isolated areas, working FIFO or shift work, or unable to attend local groups in person.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Dedicated programs at large and regional public maternity services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
CALD Parents
Courses facilitated with accredited health interpreters through local public maternity services for culturally diverse families.
Parenting Programs
Post-birth parenting support including Triple-P, Circle of Security, Bringing Baby Home and more.
Birth & Parenting Programs
The course most people know about — and one that has evolved greatly to support modern families
Labour & Birth Topics
- Your body’s preparation for labour and signs of labour
- When to come to hospital or call your midwife
- What happens during labour and birth
- Understanding the role of your hormones on labour
- Creating your own emotionally safe birth environment
- Self-help strategies including positions for active labour
- Breath awareness practice and affirmations
- How your support person can best help you
- Medical pain relief options
- Dealing with unexpected events before, during and after birth
- Early skin-to-skin with baby
- Early days in hospital and at home
Parenting Topics
Because you are becoming a parent — not just having a baby — most quality antenatal courses also include:
- Newborn behaviour and what to expect
- Recognising when your baby is hungry, tired or ready for play
- Breastfeeding basics and support
- Strategies to develop and strengthen the parenting partnership
- The impact of a new baby on the couple’s relationship
🕐 Course Timeframe & Fees
Courses average 12 hours in length, held over several weeknight evenings or 1–3 weekends. Best completed before 36 weeks gestation (earlier for multiple births).
A fee is usual for all providers to enable the best learning environment for an ideal group of 6–8 couples. Check with your private health fund for possible rebates.
Finding a Birth & Parenting Program
Start with your local maternity service, then explore private providers to find what suits you best
Where to Start
- Ask your local public or private Maternity Service about their antenatal Birth & Parenting program
- Ask friends, relatives and new parents about maternity services and courses in your area
- Google ‘antenatal classes in [your area]’ for a range of local providers
Private Providers to Explore
- Calmbirth® practitioners
- Internationally recognised Lamaze childbirth classes
- HypnobirthingAustralia practitioners
- HypnobirthingInternational – The Mongan Method
- She Births® practitioners
- Birthwell Birthright
- Wise Hippo (UK trained) practitioners
- NCT (UK trained) practitioners
- Independent midwives and Doulas
- Pregnancy yoga practitioners – Google ‘pregnancy yoga in Australia’
ⓘ CAPEA, Inc. does NOT endorse any particular program, business or organisation. We suggest you check the professional, knowledge and group facilitation backgrounds of any provider before committing your time and money.
Ask Questions Before Signing Up!
Being an informed consumer helps you choose the best program for your family
What qualifications do the facilitators have?
Ask about professional qualifications and whether they are recognised across Australia or internationally. Do facilitators have skills in adult education and group facilitation?
Is the content evidence-based?
Do the facilitators have current knowledge of evidence-based maternity and early parenting care? Are the claims made by any education provider based on evidence — and how do you know?
What is the relationship with your maternity service?
What are the relationships between the course providers and the maternity services you wish to use? This can affect continuity of care.
What are the fees and health fund rebates?
What are the fees for participants? If you are in a private health fund, are there any rebates that may be claimed?
What is the group size?
Group size affects the quality of your experience. An ideal group is 6–8 couples, allowing enough time for questions and a comfortable environment to share experiences.
What topics and skills will be covered?
Ask for a full course outline covering labour, birth, newborn care, breastfeeding and parenting. The course should go beyond just having a baby to include becoming a parent.
Is the facilitator inclusive and culturally aware?
Can facilitators sensitively support expectant parents from young or older age groups, single parents, differently-abled parents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, CALD communities, or LGBTIQ+ families?
Will I meet other local parents?
One of the greatest benefits of a group in your area is meeting other expectant or new parents. Some life-long friendships start at antenatal courses!
Online Birth & Parenting Courses
For those in isolated areas, working FIFO or shift work, or otherwise unable to attend local groups
🌐 Online Providers
- Nourish Baby online — ★ Accredited by CAPEA
- Hypnobirthing Australia
- Live online HypnoBirthing Classes
- Birthwell Birthright
- Calmbirth
- Debra Betts – Acupuncture & Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth
Try also googling “online antenatal courses in Australia” for more options.
⚠️ Consider the Benefits of In-Person
Online courses are convenient but the benefits of face-to-face groups can be lost, including:
- Networking opportunities with other expectant parents
- Practising breath awareness, relaxation and active birthing strategies in a group
- Visiting the birth unit where you may be having your baby
Programs for Every Family
Specialist programs to support families with unique needs and circumstances
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Parents
Large and regional public Maternity Services provide programs especially for women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, along with their support people, in a comfortable and culturally safe environment.
CALD Parents
Expectant parents from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds may find courses facilitated with help from accredited health interpreters through their local public Maternity Service.
Expecting More Than One Baby
Still participate in regular Birth, Parenting and Breastfeeding courses. Some maternity centres offer a special session for parents expecting multiples in collaboration with local Australian Multiple Birth Association groups.
Anticipating an Elective Caesarean?
There are still great benefits in participating in antenatal courses related to parenting and breastfeeding. Some maternity centres also offer a special session just for these women and their support person/s.
Next Birth After Caesarean (NBAC)?
Women considering options for their next birth after a previous Caesarean can contact their local Maternity Service or search online to enquire about NBAC discussion and education groups.
Breastfeeding Programs
Many public and private Maternity Services offer a stand-alone Breastfeeding course. The Australian Breastfeeding Association also provides courses in some areas. Parents report greater confidence after attending before baby arrives.
👤 Especially for Dads
Many Maternity Services offer a separate session just for expectant dads — a space for men to talk with other men about the transition to parenthood.
- Practical ways to provide the best for your family
- Developing your own unique relationship with your child
- Role and relationship changes during the transition to parenthood
- Co-parenting with the other parent
Ask your local Maternity Service about dad-specific sessions in your area.
🏠 Parenting Programs
Your Child and Family Health Nurse is your link to community resources when you go home with your baby. Services they can connect you with include:
- Australian Breastfeeding Association group in your area
- Local Playgroups — networking for parents as much as babies
- Triple-P™ programs for parents with toddlers to school-aged children
- Circle of Security™ — Google ‘Circle of Security Australia’
- Bringing Baby Home™ — based on 20+ years of John & Julie Gottman’s work
- Relationships Australia Family Parenting programs
- Infant massage courses — check teacher is qualified through a recognised provider
More Helpful Links
We Are Family Education Program
Nurtures the child and pet relationship from pregnancy to preschool. Endorsed by CAPEA.
Resources for Educators
Find more useful resources in our dedicated section for childbirth and parenting educators, including research publications and teaching tools.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Expert, evidence-based guidance for all things breastfeeding — including support for those with difficulties such as Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT).
Best Wishes for Your Journey to Parenthood!
CAPEA is here to support families and educators across Australia. Explore our resources and connect with us.
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I see so many moms sitting there in the first weeks thinking: “I’m just feeding all day… Nothing productive is happening” But from a clinical perspective? This is one of the most neurologically active periods of life. Your baby is not learning through toys or schedules right now. They are learning through regulation. Through your voice Your smell Your touch Your response And yes, even those long contact naps. Even the cluster feeding. Even the evenings that feel messy and overwhelming. This is not “bad habits”. This is nervous system development. And I want to say this clearly: You are not behind, You are not doing it wrong, You are not creating dependency - YOU are building a brain. If this resonates with you, save this. Because on the hard days, you need this reminder.
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