Preparing for you New Baby
St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
Whether you are preparing to welcome your first baby or are adding to your growing family, there is so much to learn, plan and think about before baby arrives. The knowledgeable staff at St. Mary’s and St. Vincent Hospital’s Birthing Centers along with our childbirth educators are here to help you during this most wonderful yet anxious time in your life. We are committed to providing your family with the guidance and information you need to have an exceptional birth experience.
Pre register for your Hospital Stay
- For St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center: Go to www.stmgb.org and select My St. Mary’s or call 920-498-4472.
- For St. Vincent Hospital: Go to www.stvincenthospital.org and select My St. Vincent or call 920-433-8703.
Information on class availability or to register for a class refer to the hospital websites:
- www.stmgb.org
- www.stvincenthospital.org
- or call 920-433-8329 to register for a class at either hospital
Childbirth Education Philosophy
Our goal is to provide the most recent information related to pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care to expectant families in Northeast Wisconsin. Our belief is that knowledge will reduce anxiety, promote optimal outcomes for both infant and mother, empower women to use their natural ability to give birth and enable families to make informed decisions based on the benefits, risks and alternatives of medical interventions thereby enhancing their childbirth experience.
PLANNING A FAMILY OR EARLY PREGNANCY
- Healthy Pregnancy; Healthy Baby If you are planning a family or have just learned you are pregnant, this is the class for you. The health of a woman and her partner prior to conceiving and during the first trimester of pregnancy is extremely important. Learn healthy practices now to increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. This class also covers how a woman should take care of herself as well as what to expect during pregnancy. Class is for individuals or couples.
MID PREGNANCY
- Birthing Basics with Tour With so many decisions and questions during pregnancy and so many people willing to offer information and advice, where does one turn? Where should I have my baby? Will I choose to have a natural birth or use pain relief methods? How will I know when I am in labor? Receive an in depth tour of our birthing center, additional information related to hospital policies and programs offered at the facility, and a brief overview of what to expect when you go into labor including natural birth options and pain relief options available. Plan on taking this class early in pregnancy, preferably during your second trimester.
THIRD TRIMESTER
- Complete Childbirth EducationThis comprehensive class is a must for every first time mother- to-be and her partner. You will gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices for a positive birth experience. An instructor trained in the Lamaze method of natural childbirth will provide you with the tools necessary to successfully manage labor and birth. Learn about the labor process, relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures, medications, and medical interventions that may be necessary during delivery. Tour of the birthing center is included. Classes offered:
- Weekend
- Four week
- Spanish
- Young adult
- Refresher Childbirth Education This class is for mothers and coaches who have already experienced the birth of a child. Review the labor and birthing process as well as relaxation and breathing techniques. Medical interventions and medications are also discussed. The class is very individualized to meet your needs.
- Breastfeeding Basics Taught by a certified lactation consultant this class gives mom’s to be the tools needed to be successful at breastfeeding, especially during the first six to twelve weeks after birth. Learn the basics on positioning, advantages, troubleshooting, and techniques for mom and baby to get the most out of the breastfeeding experience
- Infant Care This comprehensive class covers everything from bathing and care of the newborn to growth patterns, illness, newborn characteristics and colic. You will learn what to expect during those first weeks of life as your baby transitions to his new world. A baby bath demo and infant care book is included.
- Boot Camp for Dads For men only, this is one of our most talked about classes. Dad’s meet with other experienced dads (a.k.a. veterans) to learn about care of the newborn and how to support mom and navigate through the initial year of fatherhood. Our class facilitators are experienced dad’s who themselves were veterans at one time. Leave with the book “Hit the Ground Crawling” written by founder of the program, Greg Bishop.
- Sibling Class Help your young children feel special while they prepare for the arrival of a new brother or sister. Siblings- to-be will see a movie, have an activity and tour the birthing center along with other fun and informative surprises while learning what to expect when mom brings home the new baby.
MORE CLASSES
- Grandparent Class Grandparents, what has changed since you had your children? Come find out in this fun and informal class taught by an experience childbirth educator/grandmother. Share tips and concerns with other grandparents to be and learn how to be supportive without overstepping boundaries. Tour of the labor suites included.
- Infant CPR Learn resuscitation skills for a non breathing or chocking infant. This class is available to parents, grandparents, or anyone who needs to learn the basic skills of infant rescue. No written test required and this is not a certification class.
- C-section
A c-section class can be arranged by request. Call (920) 497-3889 for more information.
AFTER BABY’S BIRTH
- Beyond Breastfeeding Once breast feeding is established and mom and baby have settled into a routine, what’s next? Mom may want to start thinking about pumping and storing milk for the times when she may need to be away from baby, whether for work or just a day or evening away. Or she may be home for a few weeks after the birth of her baby and need additional support. A lactation consultant address these issues that come up as baby is getting older; adding in other nutrition, supplementing breast milk, or just tips on how to continue successfully breastfeeding as baby grows. Class is for moms of babies approximately six to twelve weeks old.
- Learn and Play with Baby Learn and Play with Baby is the play group that every new parent will want to attend. Led by a pediatric physical therapist/developmental specialist, new parents gain the knowledge and information needed to help their baby thrive while having fun and networking with other new parents. The group is open to parents and their newborns up to one year old. Benefits of this class include:
- Time to play and bond with your infant while learning skills to promote your infants growth and development.
- Time to spend with other new parents exchanging ideas and sharing concerns.
- Time to have your questions answered by a highly trained infant development professional
- Time to share your questions and concerns with a lactation consultant.
LACTATION SERVICES
- Lactation Consultants are available at both facilities. For a consult please call:
St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center: 920-497-3737
St. Vincent Hospital: 920-433-8538
- Lactation supplies can be purchased within the birthing centers. Various products for breastfeeding needs such as pumps, bras, and accessories are available. Charge or checks are accepted. For St. Vincent Hospital call 920-433-8538, For St. Mary’s Hospital call 920-498-4212
TOURS
Suite View
Tours are included in the Birthing Basics Class or the Complete Childbirth Education Class. You may also schedule an individual tour by calling 920-433-8329.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
- Share Perinatal Loss Support Group Provides support to families who have lost infants through miscarriage, stillborn or infant death. For more information call a SHARE representative (920) 433-834
- Elizabeth Ministry Provides support to women who experience miscarriage or a still born birth or to those who have adjustment issues after they bring their baby home. Volunteers who have gone through a similar experience are available to partner with women providing companionship and support as the women journey together. For more information or to volunteer for the program call 920-498-4205.
- Natural Family Planning Meet with a women’s health educator in a private and confidential setting to learn how to either prevent or achieve a pregnancy without using drugs or other devices. To make an appointment call 920-498-4205.
Our goal at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and St. Vincent Hospital’s Birthing Center is for parents to have the information they need in order to have an informed delivery and safely care for their new infant. In our ongoing commitment to the community many classes are now available at no charge. It is our belief that education should be accessible to all.
For questions, scholarships, or special needs please call our Woman’s Health Specialist at St. Mary’s A Woman’s Place 920-497-3889