Why Take a Pregnancy Care Class?
Taken pregnancies care classes is a smart move for expectant parents. Additionally, this offers them an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals undergoing similar experiences; such friendships could last a lifetime!
Consider which classes offer smaller group settings (smaller groups can feel more intimate) as well as whether or not the course covers CPR and first aid for infants.
Early Pregnancy Classes
Pregnancy classes usually cover nutrition, exercise, fetal development and sexuality during gestation as well as basic pregnancy basics like nutrition and sex education. Some classes also address childbirth preparation and newborn baby care.
Early pregnancy classes provide expectant mothers with confidence as they near their due date, particularly those expecting their first baby. Expectant mothers can ask questions about natural birth options, pain relief choices and labor preparation during these classes.
Pregnant women can sign up for childbirth classes at any point during their pregnancies; however, experts recommend enrolling during the third trimester or later to give expecting mothers and their partners ample opportunity to gain knowledge on important concepts that will prepare them for physical and emotional labor.
Many hospitals and birth centers provide in-person classes for pregnant women, while virtual options like online courses or specialized classes such as Hypnobirthing may also be available. Most women opt for classes located nearby the place they plan to give birth while others might consider private lessons, Internet-based options or specialty offerings like yoga for expecting moms.
Beaumont provides Understanding Birth Express as a virtual, condensed version of its three-hour prenatal class for expectant mothers on the go. The course covers medical interventions, pain relief techniques and cesarean deliveries. Classes are led by registered nurses trained as childbirth educators from Beaumont.
Childbirth Classes
Many hospitals and independent educators provide pregnancy care classes. These courses help pregnant women understand labor and delivery as an innate, healthy process while discussing techniques such as pain management techniques, hospital procedures and medications for delivery.
These classes are especially helpful for first-time parents, but experienced mothers can still benefit. They provide a refreshing reminder on what to expect during the last trimester and can prepare partners for how their partner may react during delivery. Furthermore, classes often cover various strategies for dealing with contractions such as breathing patterns and relaxation techniques.
Childbirth classes provide you with an in-depth overview of what to expect during labor and delivery, teaching you to recognize signs of early labor, active labor and transition as well as medical interventions such as epidurals and C-sections that might be suitable for you.
These classes typically cover breastfeeding, baby care and infant CPR techniques as well as how to babyproof your home and choose the ideal car seat. Many parents find these classes invaluable in providing support networks with other expecting families as well as setting up playdates after birth.
Postpartum Classes
Participating in childbirth classes gives women confidence that they will experience an unmedicated, natural physiologic birth without any medications or anesthetics. Studies also indicate that attending birth education classes decreases your chance of preterm birth which places babies at greater risk for breathing issues, developmental delays and eye/hearing problems.
New parents may find themselves uncertain what to expect after giving birth, particularly if they undergo cesarean section (C-section). This virtual class offers insight into both surgical recovery and at-home care following C-section surgery, using Lamaze philosophy as its guide. Topics covered include labor preparation; comfort techniques; medical interventions such as pain medication; newborn testing and more.
Breastfeeding is an intricate biological process that takes practice to perfect. This class covers the basics of breastfeeding, when and how to nurse your baby, how to recognize a healthy milk supply and more besides. Partners are welcome too!
This two-hour class is tailored specifically for expecting moms with older children and their support people, including pregnant sisters who wish to prepare their older sibling for the arrival of a new brother or sister as well as providing tips to ease transitional periods and take a tour of our maternity center.
Infant Care Classes
Idealistically, newborns would come equipped with instructions on how to care for them properly from birth; unfortunately this is not always possible; therefore antenatal classes provide an invaluable alternative. From infant CPR and safe sleeping techniques, to providing tools that may help families deal with fussy babies more effectively.
At this two and a half-hour class, certified CPR instructors educate parents on newborn traits and behaviors; sleeping patterns; comfort techniques; diapering, bathing and swaddling techniques as well as feeding (both breastfeeding and bottle feeding). Furthermore, this course covers car seat safety considerations when choosing a pediatrician for care as well as what to do if their baby becomes sick.
Bootie Kamp series is ideal for both first-time parents as well as experienced ones looking for a refresher course. A Saturday session that covers all of our Comprehensive Pregnancy Class content as well as touring of the Birth Center makes Bootie Kamp an excellent way to learn more about breastfeeding, infant CPR or pain control options.
This one-time, three-hour crash course for fathers or significant others of baby is led by experienced dads who share tips and techniques on topics like swaddling, bathing, feeding and holding babies. Additionally, older siblings can help during and post delivery and the basics of vaginal and cesarean delivery will be covered.