When should a pregnant woman contact the hospital for a fever?

Contact the hospital or maternity unit if you have a fever over 38°C, as it may need prompt assessment.

What are early hunger cues in a newborn baby?

Early cues include stirring, turning toward the breast or bottle, opening the mouth, rooting, and putting hands to the mouth.

What temperature should a newborn baby's bath water be?

Bath water should be comfortably warm, around 37°C, and checked before placing the baby in the bath.

Free online course Parent Education

Duration of the online course: 4 hours and 38 minutes

(5)

Feel ready for pregnancy, labor and newborn care with a free online course and practical guidance on feeding, safety and mental well-being.

In this free course, learn about

Normal physical changes in pregnancy, including relaxin-related ligament/joint loosening
When to contact the hospital in pregnancy; actions for fever >38°C and other warning signs
Safe exercise principles during pregnancy and how activity supports comfort and birth prep
Perinatal mental health: common challenges and practical supports (seek help, talk, rest, support)
Labour stages, what happens in early labour, and when it’s time to go to hospital
Role of the mucus plug and other signs of labour progression
Pain relief in labour, including Entonox use and common side effects
Second stage labour patterns: contractions typically become stronger, longer and more frequent
Reasons for instrumental delivery (e.g., fetal distress, prolonged second stage, maternal exhaustion)
Breastmilk benefits for babies and parents; why breastfeeding supports infant health
Latching basics and early hunger cues for responsive (on-demand) feeding
How to build milk supply in early days (frequent feeds/skin-to-skin, effective latch, avoid long gaps)
When supplementation may be medically needed for newborns and safe ways to support feeding
Newborn care essentials: car-seat safety, bath water temperature, vaccinations, spacing pregnancies

About the free online course

Becoming a parent brings excitement, questions, and a flood of new decisions. This free online course in child care helps you feel more confident from pregnancy through the first days at home with your baby. With clear, supportive explanations, you will learn what changes in pregnancy are considered normal, how to look after your well-being, and how to recognize situations where it is safer to seek medical advice. The goal is not to overwhelm you, but to help you feel grounded and prepared.

As you get closer to birth, knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and make it easier to focus on coping strategies. The course walks you through the phases of labor and common experiences people report, including how to tell when labor is progressing and when it is time to go to the hospital. You will also build a practical understanding of pain relief options and the kinds of interventions that may be recommended, so discussions with your maternity team can feel clearer and more collaborative.

Feeding is often one of the biggest concerns for new parents. You will explore how breastmilk supports babies, what effective latching looks and feels like, and how to spot early hunger cues so feeding can be more responsive. The lessons also acknowledge that some families need supplementation in specific medical circumstances, helping you navigate feeding choices with less guilt and more reassurance.

Finally, the course supports the transition home by focusing on everyday baby care and parent adjustment. You will learn practical guidance for safe travel, bathing, and early newborn routines, alongside what to expect emotionally as life changes. By the end, you should feel better equipped to make informed decisions, ask the right questions, and approach early parenthood with calmer confidence.

Course content

Video class: Parent Education - Class 1: What to Expect - Part 1: Normal Effects of Pregnancy 12m
Exercise: Which of the following is a normal physiological change during pregnancy due to the hormone relaxin?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 1: What to Expect - Part 2: When to contact the Hospital 08m
Exercise: What should a pregnant woman do if she experiences a fever over 38 degrees?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 1: What to Expect - Part 3: Exercise in Pregnancy 09m
Video class: Parent Education - Class 1: What to Expect - Part 4: Mental Health 11m
Exercise: According to the presentation on mental health by the Rotunda Hospital, what is a significant way to support mental well-being during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby?

Video class: Parent Education - Class 2: Labour 11m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the mucus plug during pregnancy?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 2: Labour 23m
Exercise: What should a person focused on during early labor to help the process go more smoothly?
Video class: Parent Educations - Class 2: Labour 18m
Exercise: What is considered a crucial sign indicating that it is time to go to the hospital during labor?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 2: Labour 12m
Exercise: What is a common side effect of using Entonox (nitrous oxide) during labor?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 2: Labour 25m
Exercise: During the second stage of labor, what typically happens to the duration and frequency of contractions?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 2: Labour 14m
Exercise: Which of the following is a potential reason for performing an instrumental delivery during childbirth?

Video class: Parent Education - Class 3: Infant Feeding - Part 1: Breastmilk 18m
Exercise: What is one of the key benefits of breastfeeding for babies?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 3: Infant Feeding - Part 2: Latching 09m
Exercise: What are some early signs that a baby is hungry, according to the guidelines for on-demand feeding?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 3: Infant Feeding - Part 3: Top Tips 14m
Exercise: What is one crucial tip for building a successful breastfeeding supply in the first days after birth?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 3: Infant Feeding - Part 4: Feeding and your baby 12m
Exercise: In certain situations, newborns may require supplementary feeding. Which of the following is a medical reason that might necessitate supplementation for a newborn?

Video class: Parent Education - Class 4: Baby Care - Part 1: Before you go home 16m
Exercise: What is a key step to ensure baby's safety when being taken home from the hospital in a car seat?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 4: Baby Care - Part 2: Caring for Baby 30m
Exercise: When preparing a bath for a newborn baby, what is the recommended temperature for the water?
Video class: Parent Education - Class 4: Baby Care - Part 3: Birth Cert, Vaccinations 11m
Video class: Parent Education - Class 4: Baby Care - Part 4: Adjusting to Parenthood 16m
Exercise: What is the recommended timeframe between pregnancies according to the information provided?