Antenatal classes can be a really useful way to prepare for labour, birth and those early days with a newborn, but there’s no one-size-fits-all way to do them.
Some are private sessions in your own home, others are group courses or online programs you can work through at your own pace. Some cover the whole birth and newborn picture, while others focus more closely on the physical side of preparing your body for labour and recovery.
We’ve brought together seven antenatal and birth education options available to Shire families, so you can see what each one covers and find a format that suits you and your support person.
In this guide
Midwife-led · In person & online
One Mama Midwife
One Mama Midwife’s antenatal and caesarean classes are evidence-based and practical, run exclusively by experienced midwives, so you get real clinical knowledge rather than theory.
Sessions are interactive and partner-inclusive, covering labour, birth, caesareans, the postpartum period and baby care. It’s why they are so highly recommended by health professionals and families around Australia.
Classes run in person at Caringbah and other locations across Australia, or online from home, with the same content either way. TENS machines are also available to hire through TENS Hire Australia, an affordable way to have pain relief on hand during labour.
MOTS offer: Use code MOTS26 to enjoy $50 off antenatal, caesarean birth, baby & child first aid classes, or labour TENS machine hire.
One-to-one · In your home
Shire Midwifery
Tania from Shire Midwifery offers private antenatal education in your own home, with sessions tailored to you and your partner or support person.
Topics include the stages and signs of labour, hormones that control labour, natural and medical pain relief options, labour interventions, active birth positions, breathing techniques, advocating for yourself and practical ways a support person can help during labour.
Every family also receives a printed guide and birth plan template. Sessions are priced to be affordable, with private health rebates available depending on your cover.
Shire Midwifery is a finalist in three 2026 business awards, including Professional Medical Services and Outstanding New Business.
Private, in your home
Natural Beginnings
Virginia from Natural Beginnings provides private childbirth education in your own home, with the option of one or three sessions depending on how much preparation you’re looking for.
There is no venue to drive to, no set time to squeeze your life around and no sharing your session with other couples.
Sessions can cover fears and beliefs around birth, antenatal testing, birth planning and birth mapping, common medical interventions, the hormones and physiology of labour, pain management and natural remedies.
Virginia describes her sessions as personal, completely interactive and flexible, backed by current evidence-based research and infused with wisdom, warmth and humour.
Online, self-paced
Empowered Motherhood
The Empowered Birth Preparation Program takes a physiotherapy-led approach to preparing for birth.
Created by Australian pelvic health physiotherapists, the online program covers breathing, pelvic floor relaxation, labour and pushing positions, perineal massage, caesarean birth and what to expect during the early stages of postnatal recovery.
The program is self-paced, so you can work through the content in your own time and revisit sections as your due date gets closer.
Partners or support people can also join the practical preparation classes.
MOTS offer: Save 20% on the Empowered Birth Preparation Program and receive a free EMP Essentials Equipment Pack. Use code MOTS at checkout.
Group courses
Julie Clarke
Julie Clarke has been preparing Australian families for birth and new parenthood for more than 20 years and offers two different courses.
Transition into Parenthood focuses on preparing for life with a newborn, covering breastfeeding, safe sleep and settling, bathing, what you may actually need to buy and some of the emotional changes that can come with becoming a parent.
Mindful Hypnobirth is a one-day course covering hypnobirthing techniques, active birth positions and deep relaxation techniques for labour and birth.
Both courses include comprehensive notes to keep and refer back to afterwards.
MOTS offer: Use code MOTS100 for $100 off. Book both courses in the same weekend and a further $50 discount is applied automatically at checkout.
Birth classes, Sutherland Shire
Cub & Kin
Cub & Kin is run by Jess and Kat, a midwife and doula who bring both clinical knowledge and practical birth support to their education.
Their signature class, Big Birth Energy, covers both the physical and emotional sides of labour and birth, with a calm and supportive approach designed to help parents understand their options and feel more prepared for what lies ahead.
For what comes next, Big Newborn Energy focuses on realistic newborn care and early parenting, helping you find your rhythm in those first few weeks.
Alongside the classes, Jess and Kat also offer doula support from birth through to postpartum.
Online birth education
Born Ready
Born Ready is an online birth education course developed by pelvic health physiotherapists, with a strong focus on physically preparing the body for labour and birth.
The evidence-based course covers a wide range of birth options, from home birth and birth centres through to elective caesarean birth, helping parents understand the choices that may be available to them.
The main course is completed online, with the option to attend a free face-to-face practical session at more than 25 locations around Australia.
Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond in the Sutherland Shire
Antenatal education is just one part of our Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond Guide. You’ll also find fertility support, obstetricians and midwives, pregnancy and postnatal health services, feeding support, mental health care, photographers, baby services and more.
