La Porte Hospital has announced its March childbirth and family care classes.
Super Siblings Class
This class, for children ages 3 to 7 and their parents, helps brothers and sisters adjust to a new baby in the house. The Super Siblings class is a one-session class that helps prepare children for the new baby and teaches positive sibling skills. Children are asked to bring a doll or stuffed animal to practice holding, diapering, and swaddling the new baby. We also provide a class or activity to help welcome your little one. The class is one Saturday every other month from 2 – 4 p.m., in the La Porte Hospital Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom, 1007 Lincolnway, La Porte, Second Floor. The Next class is April 4. The class is free, but pre-registration is required. Register by visiting laportehealth.com/childbirth.
Newborn & Infant Care Class
Join our interactive class where expecting moms, dads, and their supporting friends or family can practice caring for their bundles of joy. Clinical nurse educators with La Porte Hospital’s Birthing & Family Care Center will have mannequins on hand to help review best practices for caring for babies. Topics include transition of care (skin to skin); newborn tests and procedures; newborn appearance; skin, cord, and diaper care; bathing and shampooing; gagging and choking (bulb syringe use); and proper positioning (safe sleep and tummy time). The upcoming Newborn and Infant Care Class is from 10 a.m. – noon on March 7, in the second floor prenatal classroom. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth.
4-Hour Childbirth Preparation Class
This class should be taken at approximately 28 weeks of pregnancy. Topics covered are: prelude to labor, labor, support techniques to assist the laboring mother, vaginal birth, medical procedures, cesarean sections, postpartum care, pain management options, newborn baby care, preparations for going home, and tour of the Birthing and Family Care Center at La Porte Hospital. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. A drink and light snack is provided. You are welcome to bring a second support person.
Classes are offered two Wednesdays and one Saturday per month. The next classes are Wednesday, March 4 (accelerated) from 530-730pm, Wednesday, March 18 from 4-8pm, and Saturday, March 21 from 10am-2pm.
Classes are held in the La Porte Hospital Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom, 1007 Lincolnway, La Porte, Second Floor.Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth.
Breastfeeding Class
Breastfeeding provides benefits to both mom and baby. Breastfeeding mothers have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and postpartum depression. Breastfed babies have increased protection against illnesses and a lower risk of allergies, ear infections, asthma and obesity. This class will help soon-to-be parents learn what to expect with breastfeeding, how to recognize baby’s feeding cues, positioning techniques and problem-solving skills. Classes are held every month from 5-7 p.m. at the La Porte Hospital in the Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom. The next class is March 4. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth.
Natural Childbirth Class
The natural childbirth class is for expectant parents who are interested in a non-medicated birth plan and want to use the whirlpool tubs for water labor. This class will provide physical and emotional coping techniques and strategies on how to practice hands-on comfort measures. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a support person. Classes are held monthly on the third Tuesday from 6-8pm. Come to the OB Unit and you will be directed to the scheduled room. The next class is March 24. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth.
Friends & Family CPR
For those wanting to gain knowledge of CPR but do not need to be certified, this American Heart Association program covers all the basics of CPR and choking for infants, children and adults. Classes are held on Saturdays, every other month, from March to November in the La Porte Hospital Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom, 2nd floor. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth. The next class is March 7.