Maternity

To prepare for the arrival of your baby, you may be interested in attending classes facilitated by Epworth Freemasons midwives. Classes are suitable for parents and even grandparents.

Classes are conducted in the Susan Harris Learning Hub, Maternity Unit - Level 2, 320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. A maternity ward tour is included.

Patients are encouraged to attend classes between 30-35 weeks of pregnancy. Please be mindful of other patients when making a booking. Classes are popular, book early to secure your place.

As places are limited, bookings are essential.

Book your childbirth classes.

Childbirth education classes

Topics included preparation for labour and birth, stages of labour, positions in labour, pain relief, unexpected outcomes (including caesarean), physiological and emotional changes, breastfeeding, caring for your baby, coping at home and community resources. A tour of the ward is included.

These classes are offered as a weekend workshop as a weeknight series over 3 weeks.

Refresher workshop

This workshop is recommended for couples who have previous childbirth experience. It covers an overview of labour and birth, breastfeeding and sibling issues. This class is conducted once a month.

Caesarean class

This class is a childbirth education class specifically designed for those who have chosen to birth their baby via caesarean section. It discusses when to contact the hospital, the caesarean process, baby and self-care once discharged from the hospital. This class also includes a tour of the unit.

HypnoBirthing

The class size is limited to five couples to allow for a personalised approach to learning the technique and ample opportunity to practice. We recommend attending from 20 weeks and completing by 35 weeks to allow time to practice the technique before your baby is born. 

Further information about the technique can be found on the HypnoBirthing International website. 

Breastfeeding Class

Breastfeeding techniques are demonstrated to ensure you are comfortable with different feeding methods. Topics include why breastfeeding is important, attachment, expressing and storing breast milk. Partners are also encouraged to learn about breastfeeding and this session is conducted once a month.

This information session discusses current infant and maternal health concepts such as SIDS, swaddling techniques, infant safety and supporting the new parents. This class is conducted once a month and also includes a tour of the unit. 

Twins Class

This information package has been designed for Epworth families, outlining what to expect during labour/birth, feeding twins and care of twins at home. Please contact our childbirth education team on the email below, for further information.

Antenatal interview

Our role at Epworth Freemasons is to assist women in having a positive birth experience. If this is your first pregnancy, please wait until the conclusion of your childbirth education classes to make an appointment as often many questions are answered during the classes. We offer the opportunity to discuss any concerns that you may have with one of our midwives in the form of a 20 minute interview.

Cancellation policy

Refunds are only available if you give birth, are admitted to another hospital, or we cancel the class.

Please contact us as soon as practical to let us know.

No refund will be issued if cancelling less than 72 hours prior to your class.

For further information

Phone: 03 9418 8314

Email: [email protected]

We hope you enjoy the childbirth and parenting education program and we look forward to sharing this exciting time with you and your family.

Birthing can be a calm, beautiful and positive experience.

HypnoBirthing® is as much a philosophy of birth, as it is a series of techniques to help you have a relaxing, stress-free and empowering birth.

Studies have shown that if a woman feels relaxed, safe and supported in labour, they are

• 30% less likely to request pain relief
• 40% less likely to require a forceps delivery
• 50% less likely to have a Caesarean
• 60% less likely to request an epidural

Through self-hypnosis, special breathing and visualisation techniques, HypnoBirthing® teaches you how to release fear and trust your body’s own instinctive ability to give birth.

When you’re prepared for childbirth, your body and mind are in harmony. That leaves nature free to function just as it was intended.

A qualified Epworth Freemasons midwife will guide you and your birthing partner through how you can achieve a calm and positive birth that will benefit both you, and your baby.

You will learn how to call on your body’s own natural relaxant to lessen, or even eliminate discomfort and the need for medication. You will also learn ways to help bring on labour at full term.

HypnoBirthing® Advantages

• Teaches you to achieve deep relaxation to eliminate fear, which causes tension and pain
• Gives your birthing partner a vital role in the process
• Shortens the first phase of labour by several hours
• Keeps you feeling alert, fresh and energised during labour
• Reduces the need for an episiotomy
• Empowers you with techniques to have a calm, gentle birth – no matter which turn labour takes
• Embraces the concept of pre-birth parenting
• Teaches you breathing techniques to allow you to ‘breathe’ your baby into the world
• Allows you to be informed and empowered about birth and parenting

Course Details:

HypnoBirthing® is held at Epworth Freemasons Maternity, Level 2, 320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.

The course includes:

• The HypnoBirthing Book and CD
• Rainbow Relaxation MP3
• Class handouts, including relaxation scripts and birth preferences template

Download HypnoBirthing brochure

The ideal time to join is from 20 weeks and completing the course by 35 weeks.

The Epworth Freemasons midwives teaching this course are certified practitioners with the HypnoBirthing® institute.

Make a booking.

We encourage patients to review the HypnoBirthing International website for further information about HypnoBirthing and course content.

At Epworth Geelong, we understand that traditional hospital set meal times don’t work with a newborn. That is why you can order freshly prepared meals from our extensive A La Carte menu at a time that suits you.

At Geelong Maternity Group, your care is exclusively provided by Obstetricians within the practice.

Throughout your pregnancy, you will have the opportunity to meet and be treated by all four obstetricians, ensuring that you and your baby will be cared for by a doctor you know, regardless of day or time.

Geelong Maternity Group Obstetricians include:

• Dr James Swan
• Dr Michael Shembrey
• Dr Jodie Benson
• Dr Emily Huning

The Geelong Maternity Group practice is co-located with maternity services on Level 3 at Epworth Geelong.

Level 3, Suite 3.3 - 1 Epworth Place, Waurn Ponds.

Phone: 03 5271 7939

Fax: 03 5271 7945

Find out more at: geelongmaternitygroup.com.au

Our experienced midwives know how important it is for you to be comfortable with your birth team and environment. As part of your maternity experience, a midwife appointment will be scheduled twice throughout your pregnancy - 20 – 22 week appointment.

During this appointment, a midwife will discuss:

• Your medical and obstetric history
• Your emotional well-being
• Education programs available to you
• Administer Flu Vaccination and Boostrix immunisations if ordered by your obstetrician

During this appointment, you’ll also learn more about the education classes available and receive a personal tour of the maternity areas, all of which have been designed with your comfort and well-being as top priority.

• Pre admission appointment at 34-36 weeks

During the pre-admission appointment, you will meet with a midwife to:

• Discuss your upcoming admission
• Confirm all relevant paperwork and consent forms are up to date
• Answer any questions and follow up on your emotional well-being

As part of our care, Epworth Geelong offer you the option of a domiciliary service. This is where an Epworth Geelong midwife will visit you at home two – three days after your discharge to ensure that you and your baby are well and settling in.

If you live further than approximately 40kms away from the hospital, travel may not be possible and the appointment may be conducted via a phone call.