La Porte Hospital has announced its April childbirth and family care classes.
Super Siblings Class
This class, for children ages 3 to 7 and their parents, helps brothers and sisters adjust to a new baby in the house. TheSuper Siblings class is a one-session class that helps prepare children for the new baby and teaches positive sibling skills. The class is one Saturday every other month from 2 – 4 p.m., in the La Porte Hospital Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom, 1007 Lincolnway, La Porte. The Next class is Apr. 6. The class is free, but pre-registration is required. Register by visiting laportehealth.com/childbirth.
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). The upcoming Newborn and Infant Care Class is from 10 a.m. – noon Apr. 6, in the second floor prenatal classroom. Register 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 and third Wednesday of the month. Upcoming classes are Apr. 3 and 17. A class is also being offered on Saturday Apr. 20. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register 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. Next class is May 21. 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. 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, 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 in the Childbirth Education and Prenatal Classroom. The next class is Apr. 2. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required. Register at laportehealth.com/childbirth.
Breastfeeding Drop-In Clinic
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 next breastfeeding drop-in clinic will be from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Apr. 16. The clinic is always held the third Tuesday of the month in the Lactation Lounge within the Birthing & Family Care Center at La Porte Hospital.
HeartSaver CPR/AED
A community-based CPR course that includes the practice and demonstration of CPR skills, AED use, use of barrier devices, choking rescue skills, information about the chain of survival and EMS activation. Participants will be required to demonstrate the skills in order to receive a two-year American Heart Association completion card. $60; Must pay prior to the class to be registered. Call 219.326.2322 to register. Next class is May 21, 5 – 8 pm in the La Porte Hospital Auditorium (lower Level)