Antenatal Classes
with a difference
Aotearoa’s only antenatal class with 6 experts designed by a psychologist. Preparing you for parenthood, not just birth.
Classes often book out 2 months in advance
Equipping you with confidence to parent how you choose. Informed by the latest research to give your baby the best start to life, with ongoing support throughout your parenting journey.
“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.”
What makes our classes unique?
Preparation for Parenthood
Uniquely covering the transition to parenthood, the postpartum period, and supporting your relationship as a couple, designed by a psychologist and delivered by a Matrescence Practitioner, to support you to be the parent you want to be.
Best Start for Baby
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.
Psychological Wellbeing
Psychological and emotional preparation is often overlooked, yet it’s foundational to support your physical and practical parenting skills. We cover emotional regulation skills so you can parent with confidence.
New Zealand’s only antenatal class with 6 experts, designed by a psychologist
Details
Time:
Two face-to-face sessions: Consecutive Saturdays, 9.00am - 3.00pm.
One webinar: Tuesdays, 6.00-7.30pm
Face-to-face days location: MHERC, Level 1, 12 Hazeldean Road, Addington, Christchurch
Investment: $339 (or join solely online from anywhere for $290)
Choose your date and register now:
Our classes are often fully booked 2 months prior. If your preferred date is full, please email me.
Zoom spots only left
Perfect if you are due in Oct/Nov.
Class dates 12, 15, 19 Sept
Perfect if you are due in Dec/Jan/Feb
Class dates 21, 24, 28 Nov
Perfect if you are due in April/May
Class dates 13, 16, Feb
Comprehensive antenatal class content
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Preparing you to make decisions, navigate information overload, and unsolicited advice in the months after birth.
Designed by registered psychologist, Christina Bond, and delivered by Matrescence Practitioner Stacey May.
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Preparing for the psychological transition to and through parenthood with help from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Theory (ACT) skills.
Designed by registered psychologist, Christina Bond, and delivered by Matrescence Practitioner Stacey May.
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As new parents, our brains, identity, relationships, and more change. Inform and prepare yourself to smooth this transition.
Designed by registered psychologist, Christina Bond, and delivered by Matrescence Practitioner Stacey May.
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How to grow happy, healthy, resilient, nurtured, secure and emotionally intelligent children based on current research into infant brain development. Including attachment theory, emotional regulation and co-regulation.
Designed by registered psychologist, Christina Bond, and delivered by Matrescence Practitioner Stacey May.
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Understand perinatal mental health and what to look out for, including postpartum blues, depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Research shows parental wellbeing impacts infant health outcomes. When we support parents, we are supporting babies to have the best start to life.
Designed by registered psychologist, Christina Bond, and delivered by Matrescence Practitioner Stacey May.
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Covering both breast and bottle feeding, including latching, milk supply, bonding, common worries and solutions.
Facilitated by GP and Infant Feeding Specialist, Dr Beth Shore.
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Stages of labour, pain relief options, and how to support your body and mind during birth.
Facilitated by midwife, Nicola Taylor.
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As Mums experience matrescence, Dads experience patrescence. A special section focusing on the transition of partners and support people.
Facilitated by father, Don Benn.
Please note this session takes place at the same time as the Breastfeeding session.
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Preparation, exercises and common pelvic health concerns.
Facilitated by physiotherapists, Amy and Kelly from Liberty Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.
Please note this session isn’t able to be recorded.
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Busting myths about infant sleep and settling, based on infant brain development and temperament.
Facilitated by holistic sleep expert, Ainslee Roughan.
Participants will receive:
Access to an antenatal class designed by Christina Bond, Registered Psychologist and Co-Founder of Matrescence New Zealand.
Access to six experts in their respective fields
Digital goodie bag
Printed workbook
Special discount:
15% off life saving online baby and child first aid training with & Breathe
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ideal timing is between 28-36 weeks pregnant. 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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Yes! We want this learning to be accessible to all parents-to-be. Please email stacey@maysheflourish.co.nz if you would like to discuss a payment plan.
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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 email me.
Facilitators
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Stacey May
Matrescence Practitioner
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Nicola Taylor
Midwife
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Ainslee Roughan
Holistic Sleep Specialist
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Dr Beth Shore
GP & Infant Feeding Specialist
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Amy & Kelly
Physiotherapists
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Don Benn
Father
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Christina Bond
Registered Psychologist
Programme Designer
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.”
“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.”
These reviews were shared when the antenatal programme was run under Matrescence NZ. Ownership has since transitioned to May She Flourish — the course structure and facilitator team remain the same.