AHOSKIE - Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital is now offering monthly free prepared childbirth classes and breastfeeding support classes.
“The purpose of childbirth education is to help a woman and her support person plan for the birth of their child,” states Lisa Rushing, RN, nurse manager of women’s and children’s care. “Participants will gain a knowledge and confidence to help ensure that the birth will be a day to remember with joy.”
Childbirth classes are held on Thursday evenings and breastfeeding class on last Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 pm; evening classes last for 2 hours. There are also Saturday classes for prepared childbirth and breastfeeding support available from 9 AM – 3:30 PM. The classes will provide the support person with an opportunity to actively participate in skills that can be used to support the woman in labor. A tour of the labor and delivery unit at the hospital is included with evening and Saturday classes.
“UNICEF & the World Health Organization recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of a baby's life as breast milk provides all the nutrients an infant needs during the first 6 months,” explains Rushing. “Scientific evidence shows benefits for infant survival and proper growth and development. Breastfeeding may also reduce infant deaths caused by common childhood illnesses.”
Topics in the prepared childbirth class include:
- Discomforts of pregnancy
- Signs and symptoms of preterm labor
- Stages of labor and birth
- Pain management strategies
- Reasons for Cesarean birth and what to expect
- Overview of breastfeeding
- Care of the newborn
The breastfeeding support class teaches the importance of breastfeeding, milk production, baby’s hunger cues, positions, and correct ‘latching’ as well as other important information about breastfeeding your baby.
All classes are held at the Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital’s Community Classroom located on Peacock Street and Memorial Drive in Ahoskie (formerly Movie Time location).
Light refreshments are served. To register for free childbirth or breastfeeding classes, call 1-800-472-8500 or go to VidantHealth.com/events/classes to register. Pre-registration is required to attend these classes.
For questions about any of the classes, call Lisa Rushing, RN, Nurse Manager Women’s and Children’s Care, at 209-3356 and call 1-800-472-8500 to register for the classes.