Antenatal workshops
with a difference
Equipping you with confidence to parent how you choose, being informed by the latest research to give your baby the best start to life and have ongoing support throughout your parenting journey.
Preparing for parenthood,
not just birth.
What makes our classes unique?
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Preparation for Parenthood
Uniquely covering the transition to parenthood, parental wellbeing and the postpartum period delivered by a psychologist, to support you to be the parent you want to be.
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Best Start for Baby
Uniquely covering attachment theory, co-regulation, infant brain development, and parenting philosophies to provide you the latest evidence-based knowledge to give your baby the best start to life and feel confident in your decisions.
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First Year Village
Weekly online postpartum support for 12 months, with a wide range of experts and community of other mothers. This village is 50% off for those who attend any of our antenatal classes.
Comprehensive Antenatal Class
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Our all-inclusive antenatal class covers everything mentioned in our course content (including the preparing for parenthood webinar content) eg. birth and labour, feeding, sleep, pelvic health, dads/partner preparation, matrescence & maternal mental health). Delivered face-to-face across two days in Christchurch NZ, with a one-hour webinar also included. Alternatively, register to attend live online from anywhere in NZ.
*If your antenatal class is booked out, please email us.
Preparing for Parenthood Webinar
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Live online over 3 evenings, with a focus on matrescence, maternal mental and sleep. This content covers the holistic preparation, infant brain development and parental wellbeing. (It excludes birth & labour, feeding, pelvic health & partners section). You can also purchase a recording to watch at your own convivence instead.
Course Content:
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Preparing you for what to expect in the first few months after birth
The psychological transition to parenthood (matrescence & patrescence)
Attachment theory, emotional regulation, co-regulation and child development
Parenting philosophies and values
Making decisions, navigating information overload and unsolicited advice
Preparation for Partners/Dads
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How to grow happy, healthy, resilient, nurtured, secure & emotionally intelligent children
Learn current research to make informed decisions about how to set your baby up for lifelong mental wellbeing
Out with the “you’re spoiling your newborn” in with nurturing fosters resilience, health & independence
How to form an enriching relationship with your baby for optimal development.
The power of relationships - Rupture, repair and attunement
Neuroscience of the infant brain and what really matters to build the foundation for optimal child development and resilience
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Research shows parental wellbeing impacts infant health outcomes. When we support parents we are supporting babies and giving infants the best start to life.
The emotional journey and coping strategies
Emotional regulation skills. (CBT, ACT)
Understanding matrescence and patrescence
Parental brain changes
Looking after yourself as a new parent
Relationship changes
Identity changes
Perinatal mental health (postpartum blues, depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts)
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Delivered by a range of experts in their fields
Sleep and settling (how sleep works, settling, infant brain development, temperament, busting myths)
Birth and labour (stages of labour, pain relief, how to support your body and how you want to feel about birth)
Pelvic health, delivered by physiotherapists (pregnancy preparation, exercise, pelvic health concerns)
Breast and bottle feeding (latching, milk supply, common worries and solutions, bonding).
Your class will include:
Access to 6 experts in their respective fields
Digital Goodie Bag
Comprehensive postpartum plan
Confidence to parent how you choose, informed by the latest research to give your baby the best start to life
Ongoing online postpartum community support throughout your parenting journey.
Enhanced well-being to increase enjoyment in your transition to parenthood.
Frequently asked questions:
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28-36weeks. You can attend any time, however the third trimester is a great time to connect with other parents of similar due dates.
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Yes! We strongly encourage you to bring one other person, whether this is a support person or your partner.
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All payments are non-refundable.
If you are unable to attend, with notice given 24 hours prior, you can send someone else in your place, or change your date.A full refund, minus an administrative fee of $30, is provided under special circumstances, such as pregnancy related medical reasons, please contact us.
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In person classes are held in Christchurch at MHERC. Level 1/12 Hazeldean Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024
Online classes are hosted via zoom. A link to join will be sent to you prior to your workshop.
Facilitators
Psychologist
Holistic Sleep Specialist
Midwife
Teacher
GP & Infant Feeding Specialist
Physiotherapists
Father
Testimonials
“Fantastic course - highly recommend to all mums-to-be! Learned so much more about how to manage my own emotions/look after myself during the transition to motherhood that other antenatal classes don’t focus on. Feeling much more confident about what will happen and the plans we have in place for our ”
“My husband and I really loved the Matresence antenatal course! We found it really holistic and it was really helpful that it focused on the journey into motherhood and the difficulties and challenges that come with that, as well as the challenges that the relationship can face. It was a great mix of teaching around practical skills (for example for labour, breastfeeding, preparing for staying on top of household chores etc, organising support, and navigating sleep) as well as some great emotional regulation skills to help with the emotional challenges. I would definitely recommend it and am glad we did it! ”
“Highly recommend attending one of your courses. The ‘Preparing for parenthood antenatal workshop’ was really valuable, great information and was presented in an easy to understand, relatable and non-judgemental way. Thank you for the support you are providing couples as they become parents, it makes such a difference and was great to have the focus be on us, and providing us ways to support each other through the journey.”
Antenatal Services
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Private Therapy
1:1 support with therapists specalising in maternal wellbeing and matrescence.
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Matrescence Facebook Community
Join our free facebook community to connect and share with other mothers about all things Matrescence.
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Free Matrescence E-book
What is matrescence? Free introductory e-book.
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Free Postpartum Plan
Comprehensive 50-page postpartum plan to help you prepare for baby's arrival. Like a birth plan, yet focused on those first few months with your baby.
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Antenatal for second time mums
A much requested two-hour webinar to support the transition from being a first-time mum to a mother of two.
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First Year Village
12months of weekly online support from a matrescence practitioner, and community of supportive mothers and guest speakers (psychologists, sleep support, infant feeding, pelvic health and more).
Antenatal for second time mums
An antenatal class specifically designed for second time mothers to support you from the transition to parenting one young child to two.
You will gain strategies to:
Navigate life with 2 children (managing sleep, outings, meal times, and both wanting your attention at once)
Support your own transition for optimal psychological wellbeing
Regulate your emotions, while meeting the needs of 2
Navigate the transition for your oldest
Manage the added mental load and sharing this your support crew
In the 2-hour webinar you will have the opportunity to:
Reflect on previous experiences of motherhood to enhance your next wave of matrescence
Have concerns and questions answered by psychologist, Christina Bond, in a safe and supportive environment
Connect with an online community of mums
Start a Postpartum Care Plan (focused on perinatal wellbeing and your desired experience).
Watch a replay available for 30 days
Payment plan available on request
Gain tips to enter your next matrescence wave with confidence and resilience building on your existing knowledge as a parent.
First Year Village
Supporting you through your first year of parenting and matrescence.
Our online weekly gatherings, provide follow on support from your antenatal class, available to you for a year after baby is born.
Commencing every Wednesday. 9.30am from March 5th 2025, join anytime and your membership will last for 12 months from your first date of attendance.
It takes a village - be part of a community of peer and professional support available when you need it.
Inclusions:
Weekly online 60min gatherings
Regular group support from maternal specialists (psychologist, holistic sleep coach, GP/lactation consultant, physiotherapists, personal trainers and so much more)
Educational topics relevant to your first year of parenting by a matrescence practitioner
Regular guest speakers (covering mum hacks, feeding return to exercise, maternal wellbeing and more)
Short educational videos
Access to our private Matrescence Facebook Community (ask questions to the postpartum community 24/7)
Group of supportive mums
Cost: $599 - 50% for antenatal participants ($299 for 12months)