Childbirth/Parenting Classes

Babies don't come with instructions. That's why it's important to educate yourself about all of the changes and activities associated with childbirth and parenting. We offer a variety of classes to prepare moms, dads, and siblings for the arrival of a new baby. Not all of the classes listed below are offered every month. For a list of current classes, prices, and registration information, visit our calendar page.

Baby Basics
This class is strongly recommended for first-time parents. It provides information on caring for a newborn and addresses the needs of a changing family. Budgeting for your baby’s arrival, breast- and bottle-feeding, infant growth and development, infant hygiene, cord care, circumcision care, and infant and child CPR are all covered in this course. The two-hour class meets once a week for three weeks. You can attend this course anytime during your pregnancy or after delivery.

Basic Breastfeeding
This two-hour class is designed to educate and support the mother planning to breastfeed. Topics include preparing to breastfeed, basic breastfeeding information, nutrition, and a discussion of common concerns. Issues such as family support for the breastfeeding mother, the father’s role in feeding, and how to breastfeed and continue your career are also covered. Your support person is encouraged to attend the class with you.

Boot Camp for New Dads
This nationally recognized program is for new dads and dads-to-be. Boot Camp teaches basic parenting skills, helps fathers understand their role in the family, and allows them to connect with other dads in a relaxed environment. Boot Camp graduates are confident, motivated, and ready to care for their new family. Some graduates return to mentor the next group of Boot Camp dads. The only females allowed in Boot Camp are less than two feet tall!

Getting Ready for Baby
This class combines prepared childbirth instruction and information on caring for a newborn. The class meets once a week for eight weeks and is open only to Medicaid recipients and their partners.

Labor and Delivery Tour
Want to take a look around before the big day? Register to take a free tour of our facilities.

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives
This class is offered by The Chopra Center at Memorial Health. The seven-week course provides a unique look at the miracles of conceiving, creating, and birthing a child. The course examines the role that the mother’s environment plays in fetal development. Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives also covers breathing techniques to use during delivery, yoga postures to increase flexibility and stamina, and relaxation techniques to help mom remain centered and aware during childbirth.

Multiple Blessings
This four-session course is for parents expecting twins, triplets, or more. An experienced team of mothers with multiples provides information on prenatal care, the multiple birth experience, newborn care, and life at home with more than one baby. This class is scheduled on an as-needed basis. If you’d like to request the course, call 912-350-BORN (2676).

Positive Parenting
This class is open to parents and caregivers who want to have a positive impact on the life of a child. Topics include working out a morning routine, discipline, communicating with the child and other caregivers, potty training, bedtime rituals, building confidence, and more. The two-hour class meets once a week for two weeks and is most beneficial to parents with children under age 4.

Prenatal Smoking Cessation
The Women's Health Institute and The March of Dimes have joined forces to offer a series of free prenatal smoking cessation classes. These classes are designed to help the expectant mother and/or her significant other quit smoking. The class meets once a week for five weeks.

Prepared Childbirth
This course provides an overview of reproductive anatomy and physiology and explains the process of labor and delivery in simple, easy-to-understand terms. Conscious relaxation, breathing techniques, and comfort measures to use during labor and delivery are demonstrated. The course also includes a tour of the labor and delivery suites at the Women's Health Institute. Prepared Childbirth is offered in two different formats. Two-hour sessions are held once a week for four weeks. Parents who live outside of the region or who have very busy schedules may opt to attend the Prepared Childbirth Weekend Course that meets for one full Saturday. Both sessions are very popular, so register early!

Sibling Preparation
This two-hour Saturday session gives a new older sibling some special time in the spotlight. The class explores the older child's feelings about the new baby and teaches him or her ways to help with the newborn. Siblings must be at least 4 years old to attend and must be accompanied by an adult.