Mahaska Health Partnership Birthing Center Recommends Child Birth Classes
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – The Mahaska Health Partnership Birthing Center urges pregnant mothers to take childbirth classes prior to delivering their child.
“Even if you have given birth before, taking a class can help reduce your anxiety and give you more confidence in your body’s ability to give birth,” explained MHP Birthing Center Director Chyann Vroegh, RN.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, childbirth classes help you learn to identify the signs of labor and what happens to your body during the birthing process. McGlothlen said MHP childbirth classes, called Prenatal and Lamaze, teach participants about fetal development, breathing techniques, monitoring procedures and newborn care.
“Most couples find classes to be a good bonding experience,” Vroegh shared. “Partners feel more involved because they learn what will happen during child birth and specific things they can do to support the mother and make delivery easier.”
MHP Prenatal and Lamaze classes meet for four weeks in the evening or on a single Saturday. The next four week session begins Feb. 1, 2012 and the next Saturday session is Jan. 14, 2012.
In addition to Prenatal and Lamaze classes, McGlothlen said MHP offers a Breastfeeding Class. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants are given exclusively breast milk until six months of age. If a mother chooses to breastfeed, we do all we can to support her; taking this class can increase her chances of success.”
The MHP Breastfeeding class helps mothers build knowledge that should make breast feeding more successful. “The class teaches holding techniques, proper latch and self care information,” Vroegh said. “We encourage anyone who is considering breastfeeding as well as their partner to attend.”
Breastfeeding Class is offered in a two-hour format on Sunday afternoons, the next session will be held Jan. 15.
Pre-registration is required for all MHP Birthing Center classes. To register, visit mahaskahealth.org and click on classes and screenings. Or, you may call the Birthing Center at 641-672-3170.
