Prenatal classes help expecting mothers and their partners learn about and prepare for the birthing process. Tyneal Buckner, service line manager for Covenant Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Becky Meador, nurse specialist and supervisor of prenatal education and lactation services at Covenant Women’s and Children’s, discuss the importance of prenatal classes and the options Covenant offers to expecting moms.
- Prenatal classes are important because they prepare people to be parents and provide a support network for new parents.
- Covenant Health offers a variety of prenatal classes. The options include: a Prepared Childbirth class – a five-week series that occurs on weeknights, a Prepared Childbirth Fast Track class that occurs on select Saturdays and a Refresher Childbirth class for experienced parents.
- Covenant also offers a breastfeeding class, an infant CPR class and a Road Rules class to keep caregivers up-to-date on the ever-changing rules and regulations regarding car seat safety. Covenant also offers a Sibling Tour/Activity class to help siblings become more acquainted with the hospital so delivery day is not quite as scary.
- Single mothers are encouraged to attend classes and are welcome to come alone or with a support person of their choice.
- The instructors are registered nurses as well as lactation specialists so new mothers will already be familiar with the people they see during their hospital stay.
- Dates and times of the different prenatal classes can be found at www.covenanthealth.org/maternityclasses. Parents can register online or they can call 806.725.6178.
- The cost of the classes varies depending on which class parents want to take. The overall childbirth class package costs $50. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs financial assistance by calling 806.725.6178.
- Covenant is now offering a new prenatal photography service. This is a private photography session offered by OUR365 Newborn Photography for expecting mothers. Covenant Health covers the costs of the sitting fee and the cost of the resources necessary to take the pictures. Parents only have to pay for the photographs they wish to purchase.
- Pictures can be taken during the pregnancy and after the baby is born in the postpartum unit.
- Covenant’s care doesn’t stop after the mother and baby are discharged. An infant weight check program takes place every Monday for breastfed babies to ensure proper weight gain and healthy growth, as well as a breastfeeding support group that meets monthly.
Research tells us that women recall their birth experiences in amazing detail even decades later. By completing childbirth classes, an expecting mother can decrease her fears and anxiety about giving birth.