WINNEMUCCA — Mothers-to-be in their fifth to eighth month of pregnancy will have the chance to participate in one of 10 educational sessions over the coming year including the following Saturday dates: Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 19, May 7, June 4, July 9, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22, and Nov. 19.
All classes will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in one of the conference rooms at Humboldt General Hospital (HGH).
Each Childbirth Education course will include instruction on labor and delivery, comfort measures and breathing and relaxation techniques.
Birthing coaches, who are encouraged to attend the class along with mothers, also will be instructed regarding their role in the birthing process.
Instructor Becky Egbert said the class is meant to help women understand that there is no right or wrong way to give birth. “I believe that parents should be educated and then they can make their own decisions about labor and birth,” she said.
Participants are encouraged to bring a couple of pillows and wear comfortable clothing throughout the instruction.
Additionally, HGH will offer two other classes in the coming year. A Lactation class will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the week following each Childbirth Education class. Dates for 2016 include Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 21, May 9, June 6, July 11, Aug. 29, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, and Nov. 29.
Egbert will discuss the natural process of breastfeeding, lactation, physiology of the breast, positioning, identification of infant feeding cues, nutrition and storage of breast milk.
A Newborn Care class also has been scheduled for the week following each Lactation class, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dates for 2016 are Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 29, May 17, June 14, July 19, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, and Dec. 6.
Parents-to-be will learn about all aspects of daily care including feeding, sleeping, diapering, circumcision and umbilical cord care, bathing, and dressing.
Further, participants will learn what a healthy newborn looks like as well as discuss temperament, crying and comforting techniques, behavior states and how a newborn communicates.
All three courses are being offered free of charge by HGH.
Pre-registration is required for all classes. To pre-register or for more information, please call HGH at (775) 623-5222, ext. 1268.
For more information or for questions regarding the Childbirth Education, Lactation or Newborn Care classes, please call instructor Becky Egbert at (775) 621-5850 or email at egbertr@hghospital.org.
