| Preparation for Childbirth |
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This course will give you and your partner complete, up-to-date information about having a baby and enable you to become more informed and active participants in labor and delivery. The comprehensive 7-week course (depending on the calendar) includes:
- The different phases of labor
- Comfort and support techniques for the mother and labor partner
- Breathing (Bradley & Lamaze), relaxation and visualization techniques.
- Different options and variations of the birth process
- Tour of the Birthing Center
- Postpartum and basic newborn care
- Postpartum care for mom
- Infant care
- Breastfeeding class is also included, but taken separately
- Medication choices
- Cesarean birth
- Birth and baby care videos
There is practice time for relaxation and breathing techniques with individual assistance from the instructor, as well as an opportunity to become familiar with the hospital through a tour of the Wesson Women and Infants' birthing unit
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| Schedule: Seven weekly (depending on the holidays), two hours sessions , available Sunday through Thursday evenings. |
| 2013: June 5-July 17 (Wednesdays@6:30pm), June 10- July 22 (Mondays@6:30pm), June 23- Aug 4 (Sundays@6pm), July 31-Sept 11 (Wednesdays@6:30pm), Aug 12-Sept 30 (Mondays@6:30pm), Sept 8-Oct 20 (Sundays@6pm), Oct 2-Nov 13 (Wednesdays@6:30pm), Oct 28-Dec 9 (Mondays@6:30pm), Dec 8-Jan 19 (Sundays@6pm) |
| Cost: $100.00 |
| Registration and More Information: Register on-line or call 413-794-BABY (794-2229), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
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| 5 Week Childbirth Education Express |
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This is a condensed version of the 7-week program. It is designed for parents who have limited time, but still want more than just a brief overview. The class includes:
- Overview of labor
- Basic breathing and relaxation techniques
- Medication options
- Cesarean birth
- Tour of the Wesson Women and Infants' birthing unit
- Childbirth and postpartum videos
- Breastfeeding class is also included, but taken separately.
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| Schedule: Five weekly, two hour classes |
| 2013: May 8- June 5, May 16- June 13, May 23- June 20, May 28- June 25, June 3- June 24 (4 weeks), June 19- July 17, July 11-Aug 8, July 16-Aug 13, July 22-Aug 19, Aug 7-Sept 4, Aug 22-Sept 19, Aug 27-Sept 24, Sept 5-Oct 3, Sept 16-Oct 14, Sept 25-Oct 25, Oct 10-Nov 7, Oct 15-Nov 12, Oct 21-Nov 18, Nov 6-Dec 11, Nov 14- Dec 19, Nov 19-Dec 17, Dec 9-Jan 6 |
| Location: Wesson Building, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield |
| Cost: $100.00 |
| Registration and More Information: Register on-line or call 413-794-BABY (794-2229), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
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| Childbirth Education Express |
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This is a one and a half day class held on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm (one hour for lunch) on the first Saturday and 9am-12pm on the second Saturday that provides information including:
- Stages of labor and delivery
- Birth video
- Basic comfort techniques
- Medications
- Tour of Birthing Center
- Medical interventions and Cesarean birth
- Basic baby care
- Breastfeeding class is also included, but taken separately.
This is a good choice for parents who would not otherwise attend childbirth classes, or who have spent an extensive time reading about childbirth. It is also recommended for those who are taking the Marvelous Multiples classes. Register early for this class.
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| Schedule: Childbirth Express will be offered one Saturday a month from 9am-4pm with the tour and Infant Care class the next Saturday from 9am-12pm. |
| 2013: May 11 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-May 18 9am-12pm, June 15 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-June 22 9am-12pm, July 13 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-July 20 9am-12pm, Aug 10 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care- Aug 17 9am-12pm, Sept 14 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-Sept 21 9am-12pm, Oct 12 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-Oct 19 9am-12pm, Nov 9 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-Nov 16 9am-12pm, Dec 14 9am-4pm includes Tour/Infant Care-Dec 21 9am-12pm |
| Location: Wesson Building, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield |
| Cost: $125.00 |
| Registration and More Information: Register on-line or call 413-794-BABY (794-2229), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
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| Cesarean Birth Class |
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This class will prepare couples who expect a scheduled Cesarean birth for the physical and emotional aspects of Cesarean delivery. Topics include:
- Indications for a Cesarean delivery
- Signs of labor
- Methods of evaluating the fetus (unborn baby)
- Physical and emotional changes in mothers
- Postpartum care
- A film and tour of the Wesson Women and Infants' Unit.
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| Schedule: One two-and-a-half-hour evening session |
| 2013: June 14, Sept 13, Dec 13 |
| Location: Wesson Building, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield |
| Cost: $25.00 |
| Registration and More Information: Register on-line or call 413-794-BABY (794-2229), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
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| Childbirth Refresher Class |
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If you are expecting a second or third child, this class reviews:
- Signs and symptoms of labor
- Relaxation techniques and comfort measures
- Medications
- Preparing a child for the birth of a new sibling
It is also helpful for couples planning a vaginal delivery after having previously had a Cesarean delivery (VBAC).
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Schedule: One four-hour class, quarterly, on a Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
2013: June 2, Aug 25, Nov 3
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| Location: Wesson Building, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield |
| Cost: $60.00 |
| Registration and More Information: Register on-line or call 413-794-BABY (794-2229), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
