Classes for Parents-to-be
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Preregistration is necessary.
Please call 319/369-7166 or visit our online calendar for more available dates, information and to register.
All classes (except Empty Arms and Heart Saver Baby) meet in the lower level of the Center for Women's & Children's Health.
Boot Camp for New Dads
This class is for dads-to-be to learn about babies from experienced dads. At this three hour class, “rookie dads” will learn from “veteran dads” and their babies with a trained facilitator. Limited class size. Veteran dads and their babies are welcome to attend anytime the first six months. If you would like to attend Boot Camp for New Dads as a veteran dad with your baby, please call 319/369-7580
Safety First: Preparing for Baby
A new baby means preparing a safe home before your baby is born. Topics covered in class are general safety tips and helpful safety devices, car seat and baby equipment safety, childproofing, household dangers and seasonal safety. This class is for expectant parents and grandparents-to-be.
Becoming Grandparents
Becoming a grandparent brings new joys and new challenges. This class is designed for both expectant and established grandparents. The class will offer an update on current birth practices, hospital policies, tips for grandparents and discussion of current baby care practices.
Baby Basics
This class provides information about caring for your newborn. Learn a special way to bathe your newborn called a “developmental bath.” You will also learn about feeding techniques, diapering, infant skin care, comfort techniques and many other helpful topics.
New Baby, New Beginnings - A Sneak Peek at Parenthood
A new baby in your home brings many changes, joys and challenges. Learn helpful tips to handle emotional and physical changes during typical postpartum recovery. This prenatal class will help you prepare for the first few weeks at home with your new baby.
The Happiest Baby on the Block
Coping with a crying baby can be very stressful to even experienced parents. Come to understand the “4th Trimester” and learn amazing techniques to soothe your baby to sleep in those early weeks. Learn about the 5 S’s, based on research by Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. Participants will receive their own copy of The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD and white noise CD valued at more than $35. You may also purchase a 42 in. blanket for swaddling for $15 at the class with cash or check or prepay with your registration. Plan to attend this class before or after your baby is born (up until your baby is 12 weeks old), but please do not bring infants to the class. These techniques are most helpful during baby’s first 12-16 weeks old. Cost of the class is $15. To register and prepay with credit card for this class, log on to stlukescr.org. Limited class size.
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Click here to register online for this class. Purchase one of these swaddling blankets for $15 at the class (cash or check only) or prepay when you register for the class.
HeartSaver Baby
This class provides information about child safety, first aid and how to perform CPR on infants and children. It usually meets two times during the month at 6:00 p.m. There is a cost for the program and preregistration is necessary. Call 319/369-8884 for more information.
Healthy Eating - Healthy Baby
Learn about good nutrition to improve your health during pregnancy and promote the birth of a healthy baby. This class focuses on the nutritional needs required during and after pregnancy. It is most helpful to attend the class early in your pregnancy, but you may attend at anytime.
Baby's Nine Month Journey
This class will help you learn what happens in the womb prior to birth. Each month of pregnancy, the baby is growing at an amazing pace. When does your baby hear your voice inutero? When can your baby suck their thumb? How does your baby sense the environment they will be born into? You will discover the miraculous world of baby’s development and preparation for birth.
Mom's Nine Month Journey
Discover the amazing physical and emotional changes that take place during pregnancy. Learn how to cope with body changes and how to make yourself more comfortable. You will be able to determine when a normal change becomes a warning sign, as well as the signs and symptoms of preterm labor.
Marvelous Multiples
This series of classes is designed for parents expecting twins, triplets or more. You will learn about nutritional requirements for multiples, labor and birth variations, including cesarean births. You will also learn about how a multiple pregnancy differs from pregnancy with a singleton. Caring for more than one baby at a time is a unique experience with different demands and pressures. You will learn how to prepare for multiples and how to care for more than one baby at a time. Plan to attend this series before the seventh month of your pregnancy.
Safety First: Preparing for Baby
A new baby means preparing a safe home before your baby is born. Topics covered in class are general safety tips and helpful safety devices, car seat and baby equipment safety, childproofing, household dangers and seasonal safety. This class is for expectant parents and grandparents-to-be.
Prenatal Infant Stimulation & Baby Massage
Parents will learn techniques to play and interact with their baby before and after birth. Learn “womb games” and watch your unborn baby’s response, how to provide a pleasing sensory environment for the newborn and focused baby massage by practicing on dolls. Attend during the last 12 weeks of the pregnancy.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
This class provides information about caring for your newborn. Learn a special way to bathe your newborn called a “developmental bath.” You will also learn about feeding techniques, diapering, infant skin care, comfort techniques and many other helpful topics.
Birth to Home
Many new parents are surprised how busy they can be during their stay at St. Luke’s. You will receive information and necessary paperwork to make your first days together more restful. This includes information on birth certificates, consents, newborn immunizations, circumcision, newborn sleep cycles and typical newborn behavior.
Labor and Birth
This class is for expectant parents during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. You will learn about the signs and symptoms of labor, the stages of labor and what to expect during the process of labor and birth. The class includes a birth video. This class is required before taking the Comfort Skills class.
Comfort Skills for Birth
This childbirth preparation class is designed to teach pregnant women and their birth partner skills to use during labor. Topics include breathing techniques, body positions, pushing positions, relaxation methods, birth ball and various comfort techniques. These skills are helpful to learn even if an epidural is planned. The Labor & Birth class is required before attending this class.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Cesarean Birth, Inductions & More
Each birth is a unique journey that can have unexpected surprises. It is best to be prepared for any changes of events than can occur. This class will provide information on the variations of vaginal births, inductions, augmentation, as well as scheduled and emergency cesarean birth. Methods of monitoring the status of the baby will also be discussed.
Labor Rehearsal: Putting the Pieces Together
You have already completed Labor & Birth and Comfort Skills and are much closer to being prepared for your baby’s birth. This class is an opportunity to review and have a practice rehearsal with your partner before your labor and birth. You will have a lengthened opportunity to practice breathing skills, positioning and comfort techniques during a mock labor scenario. Bring a bag of items you plan to use during labor (massage tools, Chap Stick, tennis balls, foam noodle, your focus object, washcloth, etc.) as well as two or three pillows. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing for sitting on the floor.
Option: Block Childbirth Preparation Classes
Attend Labor & Birth and Comfort Skills for Birth on one Saturday. Limited class size.
Option: Series of Childbirth Preparation Classes
st) Labor & Birth, (2nd) Preparing for the Unexpected, (3rd) Comfort Skills for Birth, (4th) Medicated Birth Options and (5th) Labor Rehearsal in a five week series on a week night. Limited class size.
