La Porte Hospital is offering the following childbirth classes in the coming weeks

Newborn & Infant Care Class

An interactive class where expecting moms, dads, and their support friends or family can practice caring for their bundles of joy. Clinical nurse educators with La Porte Hospital’s Birthing & Family Care Center will have mannequins on hand to help review best practices for caring for babies. Topics include transition of care (skin to skin); newborn tests and procedures; newborn appearance; skin, cord, and diaper care; bathing and shampooing; gagging and choking (bulb syringe use); and proper positioning (safe sleep and tummy time). Upcoming Newborn and Infant Care Classes are from 10 a.m. – noon October 6 or November 3, in the second floor prenatal classroom. Registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.

4-Hour Childbirth Preparation Class

Class should be taken at approximately 28 weeks of pregnancy. Topics covered are: prelude to labor, labor, support techniques to assist the laboring mother, vaginal birth, medical procedures, cesarean sections, postpartum care, pain management options, newborn baby care, preparations for going home, and tour of the Birthing and Family Care Center at La Porte Hospital.
This class is from 4 – 8 p.m., the first Wednesday of the month (upcoming classes are September 5 and October 3. One Saturday per month, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., (upcoming Saturday classes are Sep., 15 and Oct., 13. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.

2-Hour Fast Track Childbirth Preparation Class

This prenatal crash course is for expecting parents who want to learn about: labor and birth process, pain management options, and support techniques to assist the laboring mother. The class is from 6-8 p.m., on the third Wednesday of the month at La Porte Hospital, Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom. Upcoming classes are Sep., 19 and Oct., 17. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.

Natural Childbirth Class

The natural childbirth class is for expectant parents who are interested in a non-medicated birth plan. This class will provide physical and emotional coping techniques how to practice hands-on comfort measures. The class is the third Tuesday of every other month, in the Birthing & Family Care Center on the second floor of La Porte Hospital. Upcoming classes are Sep., 18 and Nov., 20. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.

Breastfeeding Class

Breastfeeding provides benefits to both mom and baby. Breastfeeding mothers have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and postpartum depression, and breastfed babies have increased protection against illnesses and a lower risk of allergies, ear infections, asthma and obesity. This class will help soon-to-be parents learn what to expect with breastfeeding, and how to recognize baby’s feeding cues, positioning techniques and problem-solving skills. Classes are from 6-8 p.m., the first Tuesday of every month at La Porte Hospital, Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom. Upcoming classes are Sep., 4 and Oct., 2. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.

Breastfeeding Drop-In Clinic

The first weeks after delivery are always the hardest, and La Porte Hospital wants to be there to support your breastfeeding success. The drop-in clinic provides open times, no appointment needed, for moms to meet with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant or a Certified Lactation Counselor to help sort out any issues and answer questions. Some concerns that typically come up are: latching techniques for baby, overproduction or underproduction of breast milk, hand expression, nipple tenderness, and baby weights.
The breastfeeding drop-in clinic will be from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., the third Tuesday of the month in the Lactation Lounge within Birthing & Family Care Center at La Porte Hospital. Upcoming dates Sep., 18 and Oct., 16. Advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth.