Education
Prenatal education is an important part of your prenatal care. Whether you and your partner are first-time parents or have experienced the wonders of childbirth before, the Family BirthPlace at Saint Francis Medical Center offers childbirth education classes that are worthwhile and rewarding, including:
A four-week comprehensive guide to expected bodily changes, labor signs and stages, pain control options, labor techniques and basic infant care. Tips on relaxing, positioning and breathing ease the way. Includes printed material, videos and a tour of Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace.
You should take this series of classes to prepare for a more comfortable delivery. If this is your first baby, the last class should be about two to three weeks before you deliver. If you have other children, class should end about three to four weeks before your due date. If you are unable to attend scheduled classes, we will assist you in finding alternatives. Couples who anticipate a Cesarean delivery should attend the third session of this series to prepare.
This is a must-take class for mothers planning to breast-feed and should be scheduled during the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy. Printed materials are included and covers topics such as:
- Anatomy and physiology of the breast
- Milk production
- Positioning
- Diet
- Getting started
- Early setbacks
- Pumping and storing breast milk
A caregiver's manual for parents, grandparents and other care providers covers feeding, daily care, sleeping patterns, and valuable health and safety information. Printed materials and video are included.
Sibling class includes your other children ages 3 to 9 in the birthing process while preparing them for becoming better siblings. They will learn the proper way to hold an infant, learn toy safety and explore the emotional issues of a growing family. The class does not cover delivery. Printed materials, video and a tour of the Saint Francis Medical Center's Family BirthPlace are included.
The Education Center at Saint Francis Medical Center offers Safe Sitter classes throughout the year. Designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 13, the program teaches sitters:
- How to have fun with children
- To recognize a medical emergency and take appropriate actions
- Injury prevention and rescue breathing
- The business of baby-sitting
For more information and class dates, call Saint Francis' Education Center at 573-331-5107.
Mothers (and their partners) are encouraged to take classes during the second trimester. For schedules of upcoming classes, go to the Program Calendar. For information on upcoming CPR training classes offered at Saint Francis go to the Education Calendar.
For more information on Saint Francis' Family BirthPlace, call 877-231-BABY or e-mail sfmc@sfmc.net.