Childbirth Classes

Having a baby is one of the moments in life that a family will always remember. The childbirth education series of classes at St. Peter’s Hospital combine information on physical and emotional support for women and their families. New parents often ask themselves; do I take advice from family, maybe friends? Since each pregnancy is a once-in-a-lifetime event, it is important that information received be factual from medical professionals rather than personal experiences.

The childbirth classes at St. Peter’s Hospital are designed to provide answers to parents questions. Classes are presented by experienced Registered Nurses, who are parents themselves, and are committed to providing parents with the most current pertinent and practical childbirth information.

Students may call to schedule their classes as soon as they would like. To ensure placement in the series, be sure to register before the seventh month of pregnancy.

Special Delivery! is an eight-session course. The sessions begin with the history of prepared childbirth, pain theories, nutrition, warning signs, and the introduction of breathing. The series introduce anatomy and physiology, babies’ presentation and positioning, signs of the onset of labor, as well as working as a team with a coach. There is also lots of fun learning proven diapering, bathing and feeding techniques. Special Delivery! provides insight into baby care and post-partum care for women. The course guides students through true and false labor, gets them started in timing contractions, as well as relaxation techniques and breathing. How about a look into the basics of breast feeding? During Special Delivery! a certified lactation consultant covers returning to work, successful feedings, and determining adequate milk intake. Because mutual understanding is essential to the teamwork necessary for new families; Boot Camp For New Dads is included in the series. This separate class for dads only is a man-to-man approach to preparing new fathers for parenting. The series concludes with a class on car seat safety and infant CPR. Other topics discussed include the length of labor, coach’s role, emotional changes during labor, Hospital procedures, as well as the immediate post-partum transition. As a bonus to the series, physicians present information on labor, delivery, newborn care, show some of the basic instruments used in delivery, and provide time for questions and answers.

Pre-registration is necessary.
Send an e-mail message to: tterry@stpetes.org or call 444-2130.
The cost of the series is $85 and financial assistance is available with WIC and/or Medicaid Card.