Cyclone-damaged homes and properties have hit the headlines over the past several weeks, but a Hawke’s Bay childbirth educator says a vitally important group may be being overlooked in the stress of the situation.
“Pregnant mums, especially first-time mothers, are really struggling to find time to fit in an important part of their pre-birth programme, as other events related to storm damage - naturally - take priority,” says Central Hawke’s Bay’s Janeane Strawbridge, of Happy Birth Day - Childbirth and Early Parenting Classes HB.
“It’s important that mothers-to-be are up to speed with what to expect during their pregnancy and birth. I’m concerned that we are seeing pregnant mums putting others’ needs ahead of their own and putting this education process on the backburner,” Janeane says.
“My contribution is to offer a free online, easy-access class that will be time-efficient and answer some of the hot topic questions for prospective parents.
“I’m hearing that mums feel their pregnancy has to take a back seat to everything else going on. It’s really important to remember that pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing and transformational events for women/wāhine and their families/whānau.”