Our Classes
Wellington North Parenting Centre runs both antenatal (childbirth) and parenting classes.
FAQ
I am a solo mother-to-be. Will I feel uncomfortable in an antenatal class full of couples?We hope not! Anyone is welcome in our classes, and our families come in all shapes and sizes - we have many solo mothers, same sex couples, much older first-time parents, and couples where one partner already has children. As a solo mum, you’re very welcome to bring along a support person with you to the class - your mum, a friend, your sister - anyone who you’d like to support you through your pregnancy and birth.
I am looking for ways to get a support network when I have a baby. Can you help?Our antenatal (childbirth) classes have two purposes - one is to provide information and advice about the later part of your pregnancy, giving birth and the first six weeks of being a new parent. But the other purpose is to provide you with the opportunity to mix with and get to know the people in your class, who will be having babies at around the same time as you. Your class can act as a support group for each other, as you’ll all be having similar experiences at much the same time. Of course there’s no obligation to keep seeing your classmates once the class is finished, but we provide the opportunity if you want to.
I am a parent of preschoolers and I've just moved to Wellington - where can I meet other parents and get support?Our support groups are based around the groups that do their childbirth education or Baby & You classes together. You are welcome to join a Baby & You class (for parents of newborns to 4 month olds), even if you haven’t attended a childbirth education class with us. If you have passed that stage, we suggest:
- Joining the Parents Centre committee - a group of 15 or so with children of different ages, with a focus on socialising as well as running the centre.
- Investigating other support organisations like Mothers Network, Plunket coffee groups or single parent organisations such as Birthright, Mothers Alone etc.
- Joining the committee of your local Toy Library, Playgroup, Plunket or Kindergarten.
How can I tell WNPC what I thought of the class I attended?We pride ourselves on providing a quality service and are always interested in hearing your thoughts or suggestions. Evaluation forms are provided at all classes. If you have a complaint or a suggestion for improvement please
contact us. If you would like some feedback please ensure that you include your name and contact details. If you have a serious complaint, please do contact us so we can improve our services.
How can I comment on my midwife's performance?There are a number of different ways to provide feedback on your midwife’s performance. These include talking directly to your midwife, phoning the Midwifery Council for advice, or phoning the NZ College of Midwives regional committee’s resolution line (consumer representatives are able to speak to you in confidence) on 801-6180. For more serious issues, you can contact the Health & Disability Commissioner’s office for a mediation conference. Information on expected performance standards is also available from the Maternity Services Health Funding Authority.
Do I need to be a member of WNPC to attend the classes? The fee for our childbirth education classes includes your first year’s membership fee, so you will be a member for those classes. All parents or other caregivers are welcome to attend our Parenting classes, although priority for places is given to members of WNPC and other Wellington region Parents Centres. The prices are also lower for members!
Do I need to live in the Wellington North area to be a member of WNPC? No, you don’t. All Wellington regional centre members receive the same magazine, are entitled to pay member’s prices for any parenting classes offered throughout the region, and receive the retailers discounts in the region. So you will receive the same benefits whichever Centre you join in Wellington, wherever you live.
However, if you are attending childbirth education classes, we recommend that you choose a Parents Centre which provides classes to parents who live in the same area you live (or area you intend to move to) - this will make it easier to visit each other after your baby’s birth, to get that all-important support from the parents you meet at those classes.