Prenatal education class dates set for 2023

HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center offers a wide range of services for mothers and infants, including Prepared Childbirth Classes, Breastfeeding Fundamentals, and other education about the amenities and quality care at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Classes are taught by a registered nurse from St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infant Center and are open to any mom-to-be and their support person.

The Prepared Childbirth Class schedule for 2023 is now available. The recommended time to attend is after 28 weeks. These classes teach relaxation techniques, controlled breathing and physical and emotional changes that occur during labor and birth. Pain control options are discussed, along with information on inductions and cesarean sections. Both the mother and her support person learn how to take an active role in the birth process. Infant care and safe sleep are also covered. With each prenatal class, participants are given a guided tour of the Women and Infants Center. 

“We want to make sure we are providing moms and families with the information they need so they are as prepared as they can be for the delivery, as well as taking their baby home,” shared Julie Brooks, RN, BSN, CLC, childbirth educator and lactation counselor at St. Elizabeth's Women and Infants Center. “We invite both the expectant mother and her support person to attend our educational classes, even if they haven’t decided where to deliver.”

Brooks also notes that all COVID-19 safety precautions are followed for the classes, which are kept to limited numbers and socially distanced, and masks are required.

According to the March of Dimes, prenatal education is an important component of supporting healthy pregnancies. Prenatal education promotes the maintenance of healthy lifestyles during pregnancy and helps expectant mothers manage stress, support a healthy diet, avoid harmful chemicals and situations, recognize warning signs and symptoms that mean something may be wrong with their pregnancy, as well as prepare for labor and delivery.

The full calendar of classes and registration information for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Women and Infants Center can be reviewed on the Classes & Events section of the hospital website here. 

St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center is recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Safe Sleep Hospital. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to preventing infant, sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation. In addition to being Cribs for Kids® partners, St. Elizabeth’s was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for parents, staff and the community. 

The Intermediate Care Nursery at St. Elizabeth’s is also staffed with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon pediatricians and specially trained nurses to care for babies born with special health care needs as young as 32 weeks or 3.3 pounds.

For more information about the Women and Infants Center at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, visit here.