Rachel’s Antenatal Classes

Meet other parents to be, just like you.

My name is Rachel Dudfield. I have been delivering antenatal classes in Wellington since 2013.

Dana attended my classes back in 2018 and is now hosting classes on Wednesday nights.

I run informative, interesting, and inclusive classes. Open to every parent to be looking to learn about the baby they’re about to bring into the world. My classes are for everyone and the language used is gender-neutral. No matter who you parent with, what colour your flag is, ALL ARE WELCOME HERE 🏳️‍🌈

I encourage everyone to bring their partner, spouse, or a support person to come along as there is a lot of information aimed at them in the course. Independent parents are welcome too. Plus you get to meet a great group of people in the same situation, learning to be parents at the same time as you!

For the safety of group class attendees and to meet our venue’s requirements please stay home if you feel unwell, or have symptoms of Covid-19. We try to Zoom some classes for people isolating at home, but the learning experience is not as effective or enjoyable as attending in person. The MoH guidelines recommend vaccination before and/or during pregnancy to reduce to risks posed by Covid for yourself and your baby. You might like to consider booster vaccinations for parents and anyone else in close contact with your new baby. Like a Tetanus vaccination Influenza, Measles, and Whooping Cough immunity ‘wear off’ and require a booster.

For those unable to attend a seven week course Rachel can offer private classes.

Enrolments are currently
open for the following classes

Please note: 1 Space includes the pregnant person AND the birthing partner.

Course topics include:

Staying healthy in pregnancy
How to get prepared before baby arrives
How to be proactive for a spontaneous labour and birth (according to CCDHB approximately 60% of people go into labour, and give birth!)
Being informed through medicalised labour, an instrumental birth, and a caesarean section
Caring for a newborn – routines, settling, expectations, and what counts as ‘normal’
Extensive breastfeeding education, including how to express and collect colostrum before birth, common challenges, and where to seek help. Includes a Lactation Consultant visit.
Bottle and formula feeding education available to all class attendees, as per BFHI guidelines
Practical parenting – bathing, nappies, beds and bedding, clothing, baby wearing
CPR demonstration from a qualified Paramedic educator: and a chance to attend a Mini First Aid course specialising in infant and child CPR and common childhood illnesses, and injuries.
Classes do not include meditation, role playing, being put on the spot, or interpretive dance. Participation and homework is optional.
An email is sent after each class, summarising topics in bullet points, followed by extensive detail you can choose to review.

Did you know that “Antenatal” is Latin for before birth? And “Postnatal” means after birth.

Venue information

The classes are held at Johnsonville Uniting Church, located at 18 Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville.

Here’s what parents have said about my Antenatal Classes

Add Your Review

Even my husband enjoyed it…

Rachel takes a fun, informative approach to antenatal class. While knowledgeable in all topics pre and post labour (especially breastfeeding) she delivers it in a funny, honest, light hearted way and answers any question you throw at her. She is incredibly welcoming and very easy and comfortable to talk to about any topic.

Rachel makes a Facebook group for each class she teaches and shares on going tips and recommendations. The best thing is everyone can stay in touch. We recently just caught up with our group plus the toddlers nearly 2 years on.

Melissa & Sam

Rachel does an amazing job!

We both really enjoyed your classes, you are doing an amazing job.

There is a lot of good information and knowledge, but the most valuable for me was that you are great at sharing your energy and mindset and confidence. And I can see how passionate you are about what you doing, and you are good at sharing this passion!

N & E

We met a bunch of other like-minded parents

My wife and I had been told by other parents that antenatal classes were a drag, but we found Rachel Dudfield’s Antenatal Classes. Rachel’s course was informative, engaging and fun.

She also talks about the scary stuff with honesty, to help you get prepared, which make it much less scary.
We met a bunch of other like-minded parents and we’re all part of an active Facebook group where tips and recommendations are being shared.

Rachel also provides great recommendations for further knowledge and support for pre and post birth.
Highly recommended, even if you have to travel from elsewhere in Wellington (we were coming from Petone) to attend the classes.

Marcus

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