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Bates
County Memorial Hospital offers "Labor of Love"
Childbirth Classes.
CHILDBIRTH
EDUCATION CLASSES
Labor
of Love childbirth education class is designed for
prospective parents to become actively involved in the labor
and birth of their child.
We believe that childbirth is a natural experience
and that parents should be informed of all aspects of the
birth process in order to make decisions about the birth of
their child. A
combination of childbirth methods is the basis for this
class: the
Bradley method, Lamaze method and the Kitzinger method.
The
following topics are covered with informal lectures,
handouts, and
videos:
-
Normal
physical changes during pregnancy
-
conditioning
exercises
-
Minor
discomforts of pregnancy and coping measures.
-
Warning
signs/premature labor
-
Nutrition
-
Signs
and symptoms of labor, how to time contractions
-
the
progression of labor and birth and comfort
-
measures
to use
-
the
role of the support person during labor and birth
-
analgesia/anesthesia
during labor
-
unexpected
outcomes i.e.) induction of labor, C-Section
forceps, fetal monitoring,
fetal distress
-
the
birth plan
-
postpartum
-
infant
care/normal newborn
-
breast/bottle
feeding
-
infant
safety
Throughout
the class, time is spent learning and actually practicing
relaxation techniques using massage, mental imagery,
relaxation exercises, breathing patterns and comfort
measures. The
labor partner is given many different tools to try during
labor and birth to help the laboring woman be more
comfortable.
The
class is offered in one of 2 formats:
one 8 hour class, usually on a Saturday, or
one night a week for 2 hrs, for 4 weeks. It
will be offered in the following months: January, April,
July and October. Please call for exact dates.
Pregnant
women should take the class during the last 3 months of
their pregnancy. A
labor partner is recommended and can be anyone the expectant
Mom wants and feels comfortable with.
For more
information or to enroll call 660-200-7000.
Classes are
taught by Jennifer Schmehl, RN, BSN, certified childbirth
educator through the Academy of Certified Birth Educators,
and also a certified breastfeeding educator.
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