Prenatal Class Series

Prenatal classes provide general information about the topics of most concern to mothers in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Class One: Families Under Construction
This free class focuses on preparing your home and vehicle for the arrival of your newborn. Home and car seat safety are discussed. It also explores the physical and emotional changes which expectant mothers may experience, and third trimester concerns. Other topics explored include hospital procedures, pre-term labor, signs of “true” and “false” labor and when to come to the hospital.

Class Two: Labor and Delivery
This free class is designed to help participants alleviate the anxiety associated with labor and delivery, which many expectant parents may experience. Topics include pain relief during childbirth, the four stages of labor and delivery, as well as vaginal and Cesarean births, including the viewing of birth films.

Class Three: Your Beautiful Baby
Caring for a newborn can be both exciting and exhausting! This free class focuses on the postpartum recovery period and testing for newborns. Hands-on demonstrations of diapering and holding babies are paired with discussion of other infant care issues, including crying and colic, infant massage, illness and physician visits. A tour of Women and Children’s Services at North Oaks Medical Center concludes the class.

Class Four: Coping Techniques
This free class focuses on the many techniques that are available to aid the laboring mother through childbirth. Techniques that will be discussed and practiced include imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, massage, various breathing techniques and position changes during labor. In addition to the knowledge gained in other childbirth classes, this class will help to prepare the expectant mom for her journey through labor and delivery.

Class Five: Infant and Child CPR
This class is offered for all parents and families who are interested in learning infant and child CPR. Participants will learn how to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and prevent common injuries and choking in infants and children. They also will learn to recognize the signs of life-threatening emergencies in infants and children, perform American Heart Association's CPR and relieve foreign-body airway obstruction in responsive infants and children. The cost of the 2-hour class is $5 per family. Participants are encouraged to bring family and friends.

To register for any or all classes within the Prenatal Class Series, call the North Oaks Scheduling Department
at (985) 230-7777.

Prepared Childbirth

For you and your coach, Prepared Childbirth is for those considering a natural childbirth experience. Components include the different stages of labor and delivery, coping methods during labor, hospital procedure and a tour of Women and Children’s Services at North Oaks Medical Center. Participants will learn to create a comfortable laboring environment, practice some Lamaze techniques, as well as breathing and relaxation and the use of massage and the birthing ball. Comfort measures during the latter stages of labor and tips for labor coaches also are discussed.

The cost of this one-day class is $40.
To register, call the North Oaks Scheduling Department at (985) 230-7777.

Breastfeeding (Prenatal Class)

This is a free class for parents who may be considering breastfeeding or who have already decided to breastfeed their baby. Topics include positioning the baby properly, nutrition, pumping and storing breastmilk and the benefits of breastfeeding. Spouses or other support persons are encouraged to attend. Classes are scheduled bimonthly and are best taken during the third trimester of your pregnancy.

To register, call the North Oaks Scheduling Department at (985) 230-7777.

Something for Siblings

This is a free class for families expecting new babies. Parents are encouraged to register their older children (ages 3-10) for this class 1 to 2 months prior to the baby’s arrival. Children will hear a story, view a film about siblings and discuss the feelings they may experience. Hands-on practice feeding and diapering of a doll make Something for Siblings lots of fun for older brothers- and sisters-to-be!

To register, call the North Oaks Scheduling Department at (985) 230-7777.

Car Seat Safety Checks

If you are interested in having your child’s car seat checked to find out if it is installed correctly, contact the North Oaks Scheduling Department at (985) 230-7777 to make a complimentary appointment with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

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