Lamaze Prepared Childbirth Classes
These comprehensive classes begin with the anatomy and physiology of the third
trimester and it's discomforts and continue through such topics as relaxation
and breathing for pain relief, the history of Lamaze, the danger signs of
third trimester, how partner can help mom have the most positive labor and
delivery experience, signs of labor and detailed descriptions of labor and
delivery. Medications and epidurals, routine hospital procedures, cesarean
birth and other non-routine procedures, how to push the baby out, early postpartum
for mom and baby, and infant appearance are also included. Classes are held
in many locations in the metropolitan area.
Five-week sessions are offered
on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. These classes are 2 ½ hours each.
Weekend classes of 5 hours each for two weekend days are also offered. Express
classes are offered in a one day format providing a more concise structure for
the busy professional.
Infant Care
Mom and her partner enjoy a hands-on experience in this three-hour class devoted
to infant care. In addition to learning to bathe, diaper and dress babies
using dolls and real infant clothing and diapers, participants are also instructed
in swaddling, circumcision and umbilical cord care, feeding, and car seat
and home safety. When to call the doctor, how to introduce your pet to the
baby, handling crying and colic, infant massage and infant behavior and sleep/awake
patterns are also part of this fun, informative experience.
Breastfeeding
A must for the mother wishing to breastfeed!!
Board certified lactation consultants provide a comprehensive 2 and 1/2 hour class
for parents-to-be on the hows and whys of breastfeeding. Topics include: the
benefits of breastfeeding, early challenges, baby's latching on, positioning
the baby and evaluation of milk intake. Other topics are: preventing and treating
sore nipples, engorgement, partner's role, returning to work while breastfeeding,
breast pumps and storage of milk. Although breastfeeding is a natural activity,
it is a learned art. This fun and informative class is designed to prepare
mom and her partner for this exciting and fulfilling time.
Cesarean
Couples scheduled for a planned cesarean benefit from this private class detailing
the cesarean procedure and the recovery period. The one-on-one with the instructor
enables the couple to air any concerns they may have, which helps them to
make the most of the experience.
Parenting
Parents and parents-to-be explore the issues of parenting in this fun, interactive
curriculum involving discussion, videos and some lecture. Among the topics covered
in this three-seesion class are: sleeplessness, the importance of nurturing, the
changes in the couple's relationship, finding time for yourself, discipline,
responsibility and anger management. Participants develop a philosophy of parenting
which takes some of the stress out of being parents.
VBAC
We offer private classes for pregnant women who have had a child by
cesarean section and are considering a vaginal birth (VBAC) for this delivery.
Topics covered include: the pros and cons of VBACs, the differences between
a vaginal and a cesarean birth, criteria for a VBAC and how to prepare for
a VBAC. Couples meet one-on-one with a trained VBAC instructor.
Private Classes
We offer a variety of private classes for women who want the one-on-one contact
with an instructor. Lamaze childbirth-preparation, infant care, cesarean and
vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) classes are all available in private sessions.
These classes can be specially designed to focus on the specific concerns
of the mother-to-be and her partner.
