Saints Memorial Medical Center: Childbirth and Parenting Education

Saints Memorial Medical Center: Childbirth and Parenting Education

You're expecting a baby! It's a perfect time to get prepared and to meet with experts who can answer your questions about pregnancy and childbirth. The Family Birth Unit at Saints Memorial Medical Center have designed a comprehensive program to meet your needs at this important and wonderful time in your life.

These opportunities for learning are led by our dedicated educators in a relaxed, friendly, and informal atmosphere right here at Saints Memorial Medical Center. Our education staff includes experienced Perinatal Nurses, Certified Childbirth Educators and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

The Basics

* Childbirth Preparation: Offered as a 6-week series or an all day Saturday class, this course focuses on preparing for labor and birth, labor support and comfort, relaxation and breathing techniques, pain control, medical intervention and Cesarean birth. A tour of the unit is included.
* HypnoBirthing: We are very pleased that the Saints Memorial Medical Center-Family Birth Unit is the first to offer HypnoBirthing to our patients. HypnoBirthing is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a comfortable, relaxing and stress-free method of birthing. HypnoBirthing teaches you and your birth partner techniques for a safe and satisfying birth experience through guided imagery, visualization and relaxation breathing. It is a naturally self-induced state of relaxed concentration. When having your baby with HypnoBirthing what you will experience is similar to the daydreaming or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book or staring at a fire. You will be conversant and in good spirits -- totally relaxed, but in complete control. You will experience the birth in an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, without the fear and tension that causes pain. When your baby is born, you will be fully awake and involved. The course generally runs over 4 classes, meeting weekly. For more information about HypnoBirthing, and/or the times and dates the classes are offered, please call 978-934-8504.
* Teen Childbirth Preparation: There are two three-hour childbirth education classes geared to the special needs of pregnant adolescents. This course focuses on preparing for labor and birth, labor support and comfort, pain control, relaxation and breathing techniques, medical intervention and Cesarean birth. A tour and postpartum and infant care are included.
* Natural Family Planning: A class, taught by a certified instructor, on the natural ways to plan your family. A relaxed and informative class approved by the Catholic Archdiocese. Call to register for the introductory class at 978-934-8545.
* Moms In Motion: An ongoing exercise class for pregnant and postpartum women. Taught by a certified instructor and Physical Therapist. This class keeps moms in shape safely.
* Feeding Your Baby: A one hour class on bottle feeding and breastfeeding. This class gives basic information on feeding methods so that you can make an informed choice about how you will feed your baby.

* Postpartum Support Group: Pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are times of enormous changes involving physical, emotional, and social adjustments. These new experiences present women with some of life's greatest joys and challenges. Caring for an infant is hard work and regardless of how prepared you were or how much you looked forward to your pregnancy and your baby's birth, this time may include some unexpected "highs" and "lows." Time, patience, and support from family and friends are helpful during this period of adjustment. Sometimes, in spite of help and support, new mothers may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and frustrated. These confusing emotions can be related to postpartum "blues" or depression.

The postpartum support group is a place to share your feelings and experiences in a warm and caring environment. The primary goal is to provide support and education for women who are experiencing postpartum anxiety, blues, or depression. Family members are welcome.

The group meets monthly at the WomanHealth office in Chelmsford. If you have questions or would like more information about this group please call 978-256-1858 ext. 7014.

Breastfeeding

* Breastfeeding Preparation: This one-day class provides information about the many benefits and techniques of breastfeeding before your baby is born, an in-hospital follow-up, and a return postpartum visit. All breastfeeding patients are seen by a lactation consultant at least once during their hospital stay.
* Breastfeeding Support: This weekly support class is designed to help you realize all the rewards of breastfeeding. There is sometimes a need for a relaxed and supportive environment to ask questions or address concerns. Of course babies are welcome. No cost. Our Lactation Consultant is available to answer your questions and offer breastteeding advice. Call (978) 934-8504.

Rental Programs

* Electric Breast Pumps: Rentals are available to support short or long term breastfeeding needs. Call (978) 934-8504.
* Father Finders: A beeper for fathers whose jobs do not allow them to be close to a phone. The beeper makes it easier to locate Dad at that all-important moment. Call (978) 934-8440.

Classes for the Expanding Family

* Childbirth Refresher: This class is for those expecting their second child and who have attended a full childbirth education series in the past.
* Sibling Class: For children ages 3-10, this class offers information, discussion, activities aimed at increasing a sibling's sense of participation in the arrival of a new baby. The child will receive a tour of where mom will be staying for a few days. Bring a baby photo of the older child, and a doll or teddy bear.

source : www.womanhealth.net