You are growing a new little human and soon you will be bringing them home. It is an exciting and nerve-wracking time. Whether this is your first baby or your third, we’ll help you learn some of the practical skills as well as help you to prepare mentally and emotionally for becoming a parent.

Preparing for Parenthood was written by a team of Occupational Therapists and Midwives, with a focus on your mental and emotional preparation for becoming parents. The course will make you uncomfortable at times. It will ask questions of you and your partner that will spark discussion and maybe even disagreements about the way you were parented and how you’d like to parent. It will take you on a journey to prepare you mentally, emotionally and practically, not just for a new baby but also for the transformation of becoming a parent.

Topics covered include communicating within your relationship, your changing identity and roles, dealing with stress and change, taking good care of yourself and practical skills to care for baby and prepare your home. For a full list of content covered please visit our website www.wacpps.org.au

The program is delivered each school term as either a 9 week evening program (including 5 antenatal classes and 4 postpartum classes) or as a full day Antenatal and half day Postnatal. The workshop series is not a replacement for your hospital antenatal classes, it is designed to complement them and build on them.

About the Facilitator: Emma Atkinson

Emma is the group facilitator for the WA Center for Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting support, as well as being a practicing Midwife for the past 10 years. With a background in Occupational Therapy as well as a Masters in Women's Health, Emma has a unique set of qualifications that provide the expertise to support women practically and emotionally in their transition into parenthood. Emma is also the founder of baby-brain, a perinatal mental health counselling service and is a sessional lecturer at Curtin University. She is passionate about supporting and educating parents as they begin their parenting journey, assisting them to build the best possible foundations for parenthood. When she's not working or hanging out with her two kids you will find her listening to music and reading.

Qualifications:

Masters Women’s Health

BSc Midwifery

Post graduate diploma Community Mental Health

BSc Hons Occupational Therapy

FULL COURSE ANTE AND POST NATAL SESSSIONS(9 sessions)

TUESDAYS 6PM - 8PM for 5 weeks antenatal (Post natal session dates to be chosen after baby arrives)

18th October - 15th November

or 1 Full day Saturday 12th November 9.00am - 4.00pm

POSTNATAL SESSIONS

TUESDAYS 6PM - 8PM for 4 weeks

22nd November - 13th December

or 1 half day (TBC)

(you choose the dates that suit after baby arrives, this course is offered every school term)

VENUE:
Gosnells Community Lotteries House

Women's Health and Wellbeing Group Room

Suite 7, Level 2

2232c Albany Hwy

GOSNELLS WA 6110

Full Antenatal & Postnatal course:

INDIVIDUALS - $85 Standard / $55 Conc.

COUPLES - $150 Standard / $90 Conc.

If experiencing genuine financial hardship, contact 9490 2258 today.

Antenatal sessions only (full day or 5 evenings):

INDIVIDUALS - $55 Standard / $35 Conc.

COUPLES - $90 Standard / $50 Conc.