 The excitement of becoming a mother, whether for the first time or after several children, can be overwhelming at many levels. Being aware of what to expect helps reduce anxiety and allows one to truly enjoy the joys
that lie ahead.
Childbirth education classes offer expectant mothers the opportunity to learn with others who are facing the same experiences. These classes are offered across Northeastern Pennsylvania by health groups and hospitals. They are geared toward both the mother-to-be and her partner, or support person, who are taught helpful techniques that may be used during labor, such as proper breathing and natural pain relief methods as well as props used for comfort. Childbirth courses also educate on what to expect after delivery and during the postpartum period and how to care for your newborn.
Another benefit to participating in a childbirthing class is learning about breast-feeding and its many benefits.
Benefits of Breast-feeding
The World Health Organization (WHO), healthcare associations, and government health agencies confirm the scientific evidence of the benefits of human milk versus the questionability of artificial milk products. The WHO and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that mothers exclusively breast-feed their infants for the first six months and continue for at least a year thereafter, as mother and baby wish.
Human milk provides optimal benefits for infants, especially premature and sick newborns. Human milk is unique, and its superior nutrients and beneficial substances cannot be duplicated. Breast-feeding provides optimal health and nutritional, immunologic, and developmental benefits to newborns as well as protection from postpartum complications and future disease for mothers. (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, Revised, Pediatrics 115 (2005): 496-506)
“The differences between breast milk and formula go without saying. Breast milk is made for our babies,” said Wyoming Valley Health Care Lactation Specialist Maria Mazzarella, RN, IBCLC. “Not only does the baby get the benefit of the breast milk, but there’s the bonding experience between mother and child.”
Bonding is essential for a baby. When a mother breast-feeds, an immediate bond develops.
“Breast-feeding also decreases breast cancer risk,” Mazzarella added.
Wyoming Valley Health Care System
The Wyoming Valley Health Care System (WVHC) has experience helping expectant mothers navigate through what to expect during their pregnancy months, during childbirth stages, and during the postpartum period. WVHC has a Childbirth Educational Series that is designed specifically for mothers-to-be and support persons and is conducted over a five-week period.
“It’s important to know that childbirth education is for couples or single moms,” said WVHC Child Birth Education Facilitator Shirley Williams, RN.
A support person can be your spouse, partner, best friend, mom, or sister.
“These classes are the beginning of the birthing story,” Williams said.
Topics discussed during this time include labor and birth, pain relief methods, Cesarean information, and postpartum care.
“From my experience, for expectant mothers who participate in a childbirth program, it helps to take away the fear of the unknown,” Williams added.
An optional breast-feeding class is offered, provided by an international board-certified lactation consultant and certified breast-feeding counselors who review the basics of breast-feeding and answer questions. Nurses and staff are available to answer questions throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period. Should a mother-to-be decide to breast-feed, nurses are available to help both during the hospital stay and following discharge.
“We have seen an increase in the number of moms opting to breast-feed,” Mazzarella explained.
The support one receives from the qualified staff goes above and beyond expectation and enhances the childbirthing experience, both during and after pregnancy.
The WVHC system provides refresher courses that offer updates and changes in care to returning mothers-to-be, along with an overview of labor and delivery and breathing techniques.
“This course is for people who already have children and is a condensed, one-evening class,” Williams noted.
It provides updated information to women (and their support persons) who have previous birth experience and/or who have attended childbirth education classes. WVHC’s experienced professionals provide a continuum of care to expectant mothers, beginning with what to expect during pregnancy and all the components in-between, including good nutrition, exercise, comfort advice, and postpartum care. This all-inclusive system provides qualified staff members who are kind, courteous, and available throughout the childbirthing experience.
“Our goal is to have a happy, healthy mom and baby,” Williams concluded.
For more information on childbirth classes at WVHC, visit www.wvhcs.org/Community Relations and click on “Childbirth Education.”
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