Hilary Erickson is a labor and delivery nurse who offers online prenatal care classes for couples. Her course aims to give parents all of the knowledge they require about hospital birthing experiences, hospital policies and more.
maternity care classes provide parents with essential emergency preparedness training. That means learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on infants and children as well as treating wounds or injuries effectively.
1. Increased Confidence
Most moms-to-be find attending antenatal or childbirth education classes gives them more confidence about their birth experience, as these classes provide information and techniques designed to prepare women for labor, delivery and the transition into parenthood.
These classes may be tailored towards new mothers, but even experienced ones can learn something valuable from attending them. Perhaps they’ll gain new strategies for dealing with labor pain or how to communicate more effectively with their doctors.
These classes not only prepare women for labor, delivery and postpartum care but often also cover a wide variety of topics such as breastfeeding, infant CPR and parenting skills. Some classes are even taught in small groups which many parents believe fosters a sense of camaraderie that can only come from peer support groups.
Consideration should also be given to the instructor’s philosophy when choosing a class, making sure it coincides with both your and your doctor’s. Furthermore, it’s crucial that any class be built around the Health Belief Model (HBM). This theory describes five factors that contribute to preventative behaviors: perceived susceptibility, severity of consequences, perceived benefits, cues to action and self-efficacy.
3. Better Nutrition
Pregnancy wellness is essential to both mom and baby’s wellbeing during gestation. Studies suggest certain nutrients may facilitate brain development during the crucial 1000 days (conception to age 2) of gestation. Join this one hour class to discover strategies for providing yourself and your unborn baby with adequate nourishment during their gestation, and learn what foods help promote safe weight gain while supporting optimal fetal development and growth.
Breastfeeding is an integral component of healthy pregnancies and births. In this three-hour class, participants will learn how to prepare for breastfeeding, establish an effective latching routine, store their breastmilk properly for future use, as well as store, refrigerate and freeze breastmilk safely.
HMHB offers prenatal care classes to all expectant mothers and those planning on using formula in addition to breastfeeding. Participant feedback informs class content; then after births follow up with them to assess outcomes and see if additional services are required; with an outstanding high satisfaction rate among participants! These prenatal classes can also teach partners or fathers how they can support their partner during gestation and postpartum.
4. Better Relationships with Your Partner
Pregnancy marks an exciting, transformative period for families. However, for some couples this transition may lead to strain in their relationship or create tension that undermines its foundations. By attending classes together couples can work through any worries and learn ways they can better support one another during labour and birth.
Couple’s classes provide an opportunity to discuss expectations and goals regarding the pregnancy as well as plan how to share parenting responsibilities equitably between you and your partner. It can help create a healthy, loving partnership.
Studies indicate the interaction of healthcare professionals with women and their partners has an effect on how involved they become in antenatal care. Some men felt their needs were being ignored by healthcare providers when they weren’t encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences or were given opportunities to ask questions.
Another research suggests that male partners are more likely to engage in antenatal care if they have access to information. Many found being able to find relevant data enabled them to communicate more effectively with health professionals while feeling empowered – further contributing to an informed and confident experience throughout pregnancy and birth.
5. Better Connection with Your Baby
Many expectant mothers find it beneficial to share their experiences and concerns with other pregnant mothers in an open, supportive setting. By exchanging advice, and helping each other create plans for delivery and baby care, they may meet other families expecting around the same time as themselves. Attending classes also provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about where you will give birth, visit with any available doulas, etc.
Dependent upon their subject and format, prenatal classes can begin anywhere between the eighth week and 30th. Some prenatal classes cater specifically to single mothers while others cater more towards couples. Women often cite how invaluable the social support they find at these antenatal classes has been for them.
This class will address essential topics, including newborn characteristics and daily care (basic breastfeeding and formula feeding discussion); warning signs of illness; when to call a pediatrician; soothing fussy infants, as well as strategies for combatting sleeplessness. It will also offer parents tips for soothing fussy infants and strategies to overcome sleeplessness.