Parentcraft: Antenatal Classes for Expecting Parents
In view of the evolving COVID-19 situation, we will be suspending on-site antenatal classes until further notice. Thank you for your understanding.
What are antenatal classes?
Antenatal (prenatal) or parentcraft classes are designed to provide expectant mothers and fathers with detailed and thorough information to prepare for childbirth and parenthood.
Who should attend antenatal classes?
You are warmly encouraged to attend our classes if you have pre-registered for delivery at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals.
Our antenatal classes are designed for both mummies and daddies.
Are antenatal classes necessary?
Antenatal classes prepare you for labour and your child’s birth by teaching you how to breastfeed and look after your newborn.
Experienced midwives and lactation consultations will share hands-on advice on how to:
Cope with physical and emotional changes to your body
Prepare for labour
Plan for successful breastfeeding
Take care of your newborn
When should you attend antenatal classes?
As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor will advise when to sign up for antenatal classes.
Most women attend their first class between their 8th – 12th weeks (end of the first trimester) of pregnancy.
What can you expect in antenatal classes?
Expecting mothers will learn tips on coping with labour, appropriate breastfeeding techniques, and how to care for their newborns. Read our programme outline to better understand what to expect when attending an antenatal class at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals.
Allantenatal classes are held in our hospitals and conducted in English. As we will provide light refreshments, please let us know if you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements.
Programme outline
Held on Saturdays, our comprehensive one-day antenatal programme covers:
Breastfeeding techniques and tips
Hands-on practice with baby mannequins
Baby crying, cues, bathing and diaper changing
Miracle of birth
What is labour?
Signs and symptoms of labour
When should I go to the hospital?
Coping with labour
Spouse or partner’s role
Welcoming baby
Caring for yourself
Preparing for my breastfeeding journey
10 steps to successful breastfeeding
Preparing to breastfeed
Importance of correct latch-on and positioning
Rooming-in with your baby
How often should I feed my baby
Breastfeeding challenges such as sore nipples and engorgement
Caring for my baby
Jaundice in newborns
Bathing baby and caring for the umbilical cord
Why do babies cry
Diaper rash
Preparing the home for baby
Held on Saturdays, our antenatal programme covers:
Infant bathing, diaper changing, burping and breastfeeding using a baby mannequin
Techniques to reduce engorgement and blocked ducts using a breast model
Demonstrations on how to help a choking baby
Embracing childbirth
In this session, a midwife from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital will provide tips on managing labour and caring for your newborn.
Birthing
When is it time to go to the hospital?
Labouring in a hospital environment
Vaginal birth, assisted birth and Caesarean section
What's after birth
Managing delivery wounds
Understanding emotional changes
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles
Understanding your baby
Common characteristics of a newborn
Ensuring your baby's safety
Swaddling your baby
Burping your baby
How to manage if your baby is choking
Preparing for a positive breastfeeding experience
Start your breastfeeding journey on the right path with a certified lactation consultant from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
10 Steps towards successful breastfeeding
Benefits of skin-to-skin contact
Rooming-in and responding to baby cues
Breastfeeding positions
Latching on correctly
Why and when does baby need supplements
Breastfeeding 6 months and beyond
Planning for your return to work
Expressing and storing breast milk
Challenges to breastfeeding
Increasing breast milk supply
Preventing sore nipples
Relieving engorgement or oversupply
Preventing blocked milk ducts
Coping with baby's cries
When do you wake a sleeping baby
Baby hygiene
Bathing your baby
Changing baby's diapers
Caring for baby's eyes
Caring for the umbilical cord
Sign up for antenatal classes
For Mount Elizabeth Hospital, please call our Business Office at +65 6304 4423 during office hours.
For Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, please register for our exclusive Zoom classes on the Life Sprouts event page.
If you are unable to attend 1 or both sessions, there will be no refunds or replacement sessions.
We reserve the right to reschedule classes due to unforeseen circumstances.
Heart Health
Bone Health
Cancer Care
