Pregnant Māori women and their whānau will have the opportunity to take part in antenatal classes with a difference next month.
The first Kaupapa MAKE (Māori Antenatal and Kaiawhina Education) Hui is taking place in a e noho marae (live in) environment at Te Kakano Marae in Moera Rd, Lower Hutt on Friday 9 to Saturday 10 October. (This is a change of venue from the one originally advertised).
The free hui provides a unique way for pregnant Māori women and their support person to experience antenatal classes. Further huis are planned for later in the year.
Childbirth educator and Hutt Valley midwife Leith Porter-Samuels developed the idea. “It will be a fun and friendly environment and provide down to earth birth education for women and a support person of their choice, which could be a partner, a member of their whānau or friend,” she says.
“Taking part in antenatal classes empowers a woman to make informed decisions about herself and her unborn baby’s health. Learning about what to expect can really reduce some of the fears around normal childbirth for everyone.”
Ms Porter-Samuels says the Kaupapa MAKE programme is unique as it relies on the sharing of stories and expertise from Māori whānau and birth educators with new would-be Māori parents.
She says participants will be able to enjoy a variety of activities not normally offered in antenatal classes. “For example, would-be Dads will get to try ipu whenua which is making of an uku (clay) receptacle to bury the whenua (placenta) in.”
Prospective parents and their whanau will also get to find out about breastfeeding, baby safety and safe sleep, childbirth knowledge and options, and early parenting.
The hui is one of a number of initiatives happening in the Hutt Valley to raise awareness of SUDI and its prevention for expectant mothers and their whanau. Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) is a term that describes unexplained and explained causes of death during a baby’s first year of life that are unexpected. In 2008-2012 the deaths of 17 babies in the Hutt Valley were attributed to SUDI.
The programme has been developed in consultation from with birthEd, Hutt Valley District Health Board, Hutt Valley Rūnanga, local Maori health groups and the Ministry of Education.
For more information or to register phone Helen at BirthEd 04 576 9556 or text 0272453541 or register online www.birthed.org.nz/bookings/for-women?view=form.
