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The Family Birth Center at Wilson Memorial Hospital offers childbirth education classes to expectant parents. These classes are offered conveniently to fit the schedules of busy parents and are offered either during the week or on weekends. “The birth of a new baby is a wondrous event in the lives of parents,” said Regina Duff, R.N., director of the Copeland-Emerson Family Birth Center at Wilson. “It’s also a time when parents-to-be are full of questions. The childbirth education program at Wilson Memorial Hospital helps answer questions about the birthing process and lets new parents know what options are available to make the birth of their child the best it can be.” Some of the topics covered include: nutrition and weight gain, risk factors for pre-term labor, expectations upon arrival to the hospital, the four stages of labor, pain management and comfort measures, reasons for a C-section, caring for your infant, how to select a pediatrician and car seat safety. “It’s important to plan ahead and reserve a spot in the classes that coincide with busy schedules,” Duff said. She encourages that, after discussion with the physician, parents consider scheduling classes about three to four months in advance. Following is a complete listing of classes provided by Wilson for the 2008 calendar year. Weekly childbirth classes are held on five consecutive Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3; May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; September 4, 11, 18, 25 and October 2; and November 6, 13, 20, December 4 and 11. For those parents-to-be who aren’t available during the week, Wilson offers weekend childbirth classes on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: March 1, May 3, July 12, September 6 and November 1. Or, for those who cannot take a full day on the weekends, there are classes available Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: February 2 and 3, April 5 and 6, June 7 and 8, August 2 and 3, October 4 and 5 and December 6 and 7. The cost is $60 for those delivering at the Wilson Family Birth Center and includes all materials. For those delivering elsewhere the cost is $70. For those parents who have been through the childbirth education classes with a previous pregnancy, the Refresher Childbirth Program is available at Wilson. The highlights of labor and birth are discussed. Relaxation and coping techniques are addressed. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: March 5, May 7, July 2, September 3 and November 5. There is a $15 minimal fee for the class. Classes designed to address the special needs of teenage parents will be offered through the Teenage Childbirth Program. Mothers are encouraged to bring a coach with them to share in the childbirth classroom experience. For further information, please contact your high school guidance counselor. Students will be referred to the GRADS (Graduation, Reality And Dual –role Skills) program through the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School. Classes are held on an “as needed” basis at area high schools. Wilson offers a Grandparents Class that focuses on how the world of childcare has evolved over years, including new safety guidelines for car seats and cribs, current parenting advice on feeding, sleeping, crying and soothing infants, age-appropriate toys and how to be a supportive and involved grandparent. Classes meet on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: January 22, April 15, July 15 and October 14. There is a minimal fee of $10 for this class. Wilson also offers a Sibling Program for soon-to-be brothers and sisters. The class is designed for children ages three to 10 year-olds. Where babies come from, the changes the baby will bring to the home and how to help with the new baby are some of the topics discussed. Classes meet on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. The 2008 class schedule is as follows: March 5, May 7, July 2, September 3 and November 5. There is a $5 minimal fee per family. The Family Birth Center also offers a Breastfeeding Success Class that is designed for mothers or mothers-to-be that addresses the benefits of breastfeeding, positioning, latch-on and problem-solving techniques. A certified lactation consultant of Wilson Memorial Hospital will conduct the classes. Classes are held the first Monday of every month. The 2008 schedule is as follows: January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3 and December 1. There is a $15 minimal fee for this class. Mother’s Milk & More is a support group program also offered at Wilson and is designed to provide mothers a supportive environment to discuss breastfeeding experiences, ask questions, share ideas and express concerns. The support group meets monthly on the third Thursday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 2008 class schedule is as follows: January 17, February 21, March 20, April 10, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20 and December 18. There is no fee for the support group. For more information or to pre-register for any of the classes, please call (937) 497-BABY (2229). Or, visit www.wilsonhospital.com for more information and a complete online schedule.
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