Preparing for childbirth includes learning all about your exciting new journey. At Baptist Health System, we eagerly share this time of your life with you and offer the resources you need to learn about and feel comfortable with every aspect of childbirth.
Our caring, experienced staff offers guidance to make your birth experience a positive one. Our classes will inspire confidence in your ability to parent, foster closeness between you and your partner as you navigate one of life’s most important transitions, and open the lines of communication between you and your physician.
Our classes fill quickly and are reserved on a first come, first served basis. We encourage you to schedule your classes early to ensure your participation; you should plan on starting your classes six to eight weeks prior to your due date. Currently, classes are limited to mothers who have chosen to have their child with Baptist Health System.
To register for prenatal classes and locations, inquire about class fees, or to obtain Maternal-Child Tour dates and times, please call (210) 297-7005.
Class Descriptions
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Baby Care Class
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This three-hour class, offered to parents in their last trimester, includes topics such as diapering and bathing baby, sleep and crying patterns, normal newborn characteristics and hospital routines. Both parents are encouraged to attend.
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Prepared Childbirth
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This 12-hour course is offered in two formats: weekly evening sessions or two six-hour weekend sessions. A tour of the labor and delivery, postpartum and nursery units is included. Designed for mothers and their partners who have never attended preparation classes, this class covers many aspects of pregnancy and childbirth:
- Physical and psychological changes
- Hospital admission procedures and routines
- Cesarean birth
- Pain management options
- Partner's role in labor and delivery
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Childbirth Mini Refresher
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This four-hour course is designed for mothers and their partners who have attended childbirth preparation classes, or for parents who have attended class but feel they need to review the information and techniques again. A basic review of pregnancy and childbirth are covered, and topics discussed include the physical and psychological aspects of pregnancy, admission procedures, hospital routines, Cesarean birth, pain management options, breathing techniques, comfort measures, medications and anesthesia. The partner’s role in labor and delivery will be reviewed as well. This class includes a tour of the facility.
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Breastfeeding Class
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This three-hour class prepares the expectant family for the breastfeeding experience. Topics include the advantages of breastfeeding, milk production, proper initiation of breastfeeding, pumping options and milk storage. Both parents are encouraged to attend, as partner support is important in breastfeeding success.
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Back to Work and Breastfeeding
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This on-hour course is designed specifically for mothers who are planning to return to work but want to continue to breastfeed successfully. Call (210) 297-4086 to schedule this class.
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Sons to Dads Workshop
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For men only, this three-hour class will help prepare new dads as they transition into fatherhood. Dads receive the education, tools and practical hands-on experience that encourage confidence in themselves and foster trust between them and their partners.
Sons to Dads is a hospital-based prenatal workshop just for new dads. This “for men only” course is designed to meet the changing needs of today’s dads. The workshop will better prepare new dads to: - Make the transition into fatherhood
- Establish trust between mom, his newborn and himself
- Gain education, tools and hands-on experience to care for new mom and new baby
Sons to Dads was developed for today’s dads to prepare them for their new and incredible role as a caregiver to the newborn and the new mom. Many years of experience and research are incorporated into this program, giving dads a real sense of the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood. Being a dad is not a burden, but a gift.
Expect to gain the tools needed for the first few days after the baby’s birth, care-giving tips from the man’s point of view and the confidence to do a good job.
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Siblings Class
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This two-hour class helps older children prepare for separation from mom during her hospital stay and life with a new baby in the house. Classes are available for 3 to 5 year olds and 6 to 11 year olds. One parent must attend with the child, and the class includes a tour of the hospital.
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Safe Sitter
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This medically accurate program teaches boys and girls how to handle emergencies when caring for children. The class teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. For more information, visit the Safe Sitter web site at www.safesitter.org.
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Car Seat Safety
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Selecting a car seat is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. This class, instructed by a certified car seat technician, will review how to correctly and safely install a car seat, assess car seat automobile compatibility and provide other safety considerations.
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Pets and Your Baby
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As an expectant parent, you may wonder what the family pet’s reaction will be to your new bundle of joy. Will your pet be jealous? Will he or she like the new baby? In this class, learn how to prepare your pet for the big day, how to make proper introductions, and what to expect between your pet and baby as they grow up together.
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Grandparents’ Refresher Class
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You have the knowledge, but it’s been a while since you’ve used it. Plus, care giving techniques have changed since your children were little. If you’d like to learn about the latest care for your new grandbaby, then this class is for you. Subjects include hiccups, pacifying, bottle feeding, burping, hand washing, taking baby’s temperature and much more. This class will take into account your existing knowledge of infant care as well as teach you the latest habits and techniques to ensure your grandchild grows healthy, happy and strong.
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Maternal – Child Tours
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These tours are offered on the first Monday of every month and help to familiarize the expectant mom and her family with all aspects of delivery at North Central Baptist Hospital. There are three tours per night at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The tours will help familiarize expectant families with the following areas:
- Atrium
- Lactation Center
- Main Entrance Parking
- Emergency Department Entrance
- Labor and Delivery
- Newborn Nursery
- Postpartum
- Family Waiting Room
Also during the tours, you will be given a chance to pre-register for delivery. Pre-registration helps expedite the admission process on the day of delivery and can help reduce stress when the big day arrives! Area businesses host displays during the tours and offer giveaways and door prizes to attendees. A pediatric group is also on-site to answer questions or to act as a resource if mom has not yet chosen a physician. Advanced registration for the Maternal – Child Tours is not required.
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