Support Services

Genesis offers a wide range of Antenatal, Labour/Birth and Postnatal Midwifery services to support you and your partner throughout your childbearing journey. 

Antenatal Classes and Education

Antenatal classes provide women and their partners with a unique blend of information and resources to prepare for labour, birth and parenting. Our Antenatal Classes aim to provide the latest evidence-based information as well as practical advice to assist you to feel confident about birth and becoming a new parent.

If you are expecting twins or multiples, we offer sessions that enable parents to understand more about labour, birth and parenting with two or more babies at one time.

Our Antenatal Classes are offered in group or private settings.  Our one-to-one private sessions can also be held in the comfort of your own home. 

Antenatal classes will provide knowledge and practical information including the following topics:

• Preparation for labour
• Signs of labour and when to call your Hospital/Obstetrician
• The four stages of labour (including skin to skin contact with your baby)
• Different upright positions for labour and birthing positions
• Coping strategies for normal labour
• Pain management options
• Possible challenges of labour
• Induction of labour
• Assisted and Caesarean section birth
• Early parenting
• Breastfeeding
• Normal newborn baby behaviour
• Practical baby care
• Paediatric and Midwifery Support
• Vaccination Schedule

Antenatal Breastfeeding Services

Learning about breastfeeding before your baby’s birth can be helpful so you can know what to expect and prepare for any possible challenges.  Our education sessions include:

• Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the breasts during pregnancy and after delivery, including the physiology of breastfeeding (demand/supply)
• Breastfeeding positions and the importance of optimal attachment
• How to express your breastmilk, the benefits of this, and the correct storage of breast milk.
• Common breastfeeding concerns you may face and how you can manage these.
• Understanding your baby’s newborn behaviour and the expected frequency and length of feeds
• Learning baby cues and signs which will inform you, your baby is getting enough milk.

Birth Companion Service

At Genesis, we offer a unique service whereby one of our Senior Midwives, Martie Clayton can accompany you to the hospital and provide support during your labour and birth.  If you are expecting a normal birth or Caesarean Section, Martie will be present with you throughout your labour and birth and will foster a positive and supportive environment for you and your partner.

What your Birth Companion can do:

• Provide emotional reassurance and comfort for you and your partner in labour
• Support you with your birth preferences and any deviations which may occur during your labour
• Offers encouragement, guidance and help with comfort measures during labour
• Fosters a positive environment and supports communication between you and the primary care givers at the hospital

Postnatal Breastfeeding and Midwifery Services

Our Lactation Consultants (IBCLC qualified) offer postnatal support, either in the clinic or at home to help you navigate your journey when your baby arrives.  Our clinic visits are for one hour and will assist you in promoting a positive breastfeeding or infant feeding experience. Our home visits are for up to ninety minutes and provide support and guidance in the comfort of your own home.  Our sessions also include follow up telephone calls/email, and a management plan.

• We listen to and work with you to understand your concerns and challenges
• Create a management plan in consultation with you
• Assess your baby breastfeeding and provide support and guidance for optimal attachment to the breast. We will discuss your baby’s hunger cues, assess for any challenges such as tongue tie and discuss strategies to manage these.   
• Assess your baby feeding from a bottle or feeding aid and answer any questions you may have
• Provide practical knowledge for expressing breast milk, using a hand/electric pump to best suit your needs and the safe storage of breast milk
• Assess your baby’s weight
• Follow up telephone calls and emails are available to offer continuous support
• Online consultations are also available.

If you are interested in any of these support services please get in touch.