Understanding Birth
This is a four-class series for first-time parents. Class includes instruction on understanding the process of labor and delivery, the stages of labor, options for pain relief, indications for cesarean birth, post-partum care, newborn characteristics, newborn care and safety, feeding options, and a tour of the birth suites. Register during your 5th month to begin classes during your seventh month. Weeknight classes meet one night a week for 4 weeks. Weekend classes met all day Saturday. Class is available at St. Vincent's Birmingham and St. Vincent's One Nineteen.
Prepared Childbirth Class
This Saturday course offered every other month is for the first-time mother and one support person, as well as those who feel they would benefit from a refresher course. Class topics include: signs of labor, labor and delivery, coping techniques for labor (including practice), post-partum care (in hospital and at home), and care of the newborn (in hospital and at home). Bring two pillows and a blanket. A tour of the LDRP Suites is included. This class is available at St. Vincent’s East.
Multiples: More to Love
Come learn about your amazing twins! This is the “twins” version of our Understanding Birth Newborn class. This class will help you prepare for your newborns in the hospital and at home. Class is available at St. Vincent's Birmingham.
Tour of Birth Suites
This free tour is for expectant parents who are delivering at St. Vincent's Birmingham but are not attending the Understanding Birth series. Registration is required. Tour is available at St. Vincent's Birmingham.
Coping Skills for Labor and Delivery
This is a supplemental class to the Understanding Birth class. This two hour class is designed for the expectant mother and a support person to review and practice relaxation, breathing, and comfort measures that have been discussed in the Understanding Birth classes. These skills will assist the mother to cope with the discomforts of labor at home and after her hospital arrival. Bring two pillows and a blanket. Also bring your Understanding Birth notebook. If you are attending the Understanding Birth class series, please do not register for the Coping Skills class until AFTER coping skills have been presented in Understanding Birth. Classes are available on weeknights or Saturdays at St. Vincent’s Birmingham and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.
Breastfeeding: Skills for Success
This is a two hour class for the expectant mother and a support person to gain knowledge of the skills needed for a successful breastfeeding experience. Common challenges and solutions will be identified and discussed. The book, Breastfeeding: A Parent's Guide, will be available for purchase during class. Classes are available at St. Vincent’s Birmingham and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.
Breastfeeding
This weeknight course offered every other month is for the first-time mother and one support person, and supplements the Prepared Childbirth Class. Participants will gain knowledge of the skills needed for breastfeeding in the hospital and at home, nutrition, breast pumps, breastfeeding concerns, and returning to work. This class is available at St. Vincent’s East.
Daddy 101: Just for Dad!
Learn the ropes with other fathers-to-be about baby care, infant behavior, signs of illness, health and safety, fears about labor and delivery, dad's role in breastfeeding, childproofing techniques and so much more! Class is available at St. Vincent’s Birmingham.
Being Big to Sibling
This Saturday class is for children ages 3 to 8, accompanied by at least one parent (no more than two support persons per family unit). Class topics include discussion and demonstration of how to be a helper in caring for the new baby; what babies can do; creating a safe environment and acting safely around the baby. A tour of the Birth Suites and family waiting rooms will be included in the class. Class is available at St. Vincent’s Birmingham.
Grandparents Class
This two hour course is for expectant grandparents, as well as aunts, uncles and other adult support persons. Class topics include new trends in childbirth; differences between "then" and "now"; newborn care; soothing a fussy baby; infant and grandparent safety; the new parents; supportive communication; and what makes Grandparenting GRAND! A tour of the Birth Suites and family waiting areas will be included in the class. Classes are available at St. Vincent’s Birmingham and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. (Tour is not included at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Family and Friends
This course is a classroom-based, practice-while-you-watch video and instructor facilitated program that contains information on how to perform the basic skills of CPR in adults, children and infants, and how to help an adult, child or infant who is choking. The class is offered to anyone aged 12 and older, who wants to learn CPR but does not require certification. Classes are available on a weeknight or Saturday at St. Vincent’s Birmingham or St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.
Healthy Weight for Everybody
Meet one-on-one with a registered dietitian and behaviorist to receive personalized weight management counseling and support. These 8 one-hour sessions are offered face to face, or through phone consultations. Sessions focus on ways to rearrange and manage your lifestyle in order to monitor emotional eating and choose and prepare lower fat foods. Appointments are available during day and evening hours. Cost for this program is $550. Individual one hour sessions are also available at $75 per hour. To get started, call (205) 408-6551.
Mommy & Me: Healthy Eating
Eating healthy is essential for moms and babies! Come learn about ways to prepare healthy and easy meals for toddlers and moms. This class is available at St. Vincent's Birmingham.
Safety Starts at Home
The essential childproofing guide for every new parent and caregiver. The class will cover topics such as, choking, fire safety, drowning, burns, suffocation, fall prevention, the safe baby and much more. This class is available at St. Vincent's Birmingham.
SuperSitters
For boys and girls ages 11 and older. Class covers basic babysitting information including bathing, feeding, changing diapers, appropriate games and activities for certain age levels, and safety.
Safe at Home
A class designed for children ages 11 and older who might be home alone or caring for a brother or sister while parents are away. Topics include basic first aid and practicing safe behavior in the home.
Girl Power
A class designed to help girls 9-12 understand and accept the natural changes that occur with early adolescence. The program addresses developing a positive self image while accepting the physical changes that accompany puberty. For girls and a female adult relative or friend.
For more information or to register for any of these classes, contact Dial-A-Nurse at (205) 939-7878, toll free at (800) 331-6777.
