Posted October 4, 2011 - 3:08pm by Jenise Celestin
Ooh that new baby smell...
On Friday night/Saturday morning I layed in bed, wide-eyed, awaiting the good news. Finally, it came through: "Caleb Joseph Formoso was born at 4:04. Mom and baby are doing great!" I was ecstatic to hear about my new nephew's arrival - you can see how breathless I was a few hours later upon meeting him:
It's really exciting to have a new baby in the family - I remember it well, even though my Molly is already 2 1/2. What I also remember is the nervous energy and occasional worries that come with that excitement. Luckily, many parents have a support system build around them - family, friends, neighbors, colleagues - to help transition through the new stage in life. Many first-time parents also enroll in childbirth classes sponsored by their local hospital or community center. At Swedish Covenant Hospital, we just revamped these childbirth classes, and so it seems like good timing to introduce these programs, as well as the new instructor who is leading the charge.
Kim Wilschek, RN is leading the way on a lineup of programs and even more integration between hospital programs and fitness-related programs (through Galter LifeCenter). Wilschek is a certified childbirth educator and registered nurse, and she comes to Swedish Covenant Hospital after 20 years of experience at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She led the women's outreach and education programs and played an integral role in the redevelopment of Prentice Women's Hospital. We are excited to have her on board - if you're looking for childbirth education classes, look no further. She's offering very well-rounded Prepared Childbirth and Baby Care classes on a regular basis. Plus the Baby Care class includes instruction on CPR - this is a huge benefit for new parents. To see the range of prenatal/postnatal class offerings (including our very popular Breastfeeding Class), click here. You can learn about Galter LifeCenter's fitness offerings here. Listed below are the new descriptions for Prepared Childbirth and Baby Care. You can always email me if you have specific questions about these or other programs provided by Swedish Covenant Hospital.
Stay tuned for even more prenatal community partnerships with businesses like Belly Bum Boutique, kickSprout and Bloom Yoga.
The prepared childbirth class is offered in two different formats: a one day marathon class on a weekend, from 9 AM – 4:30 PM and a 3-part series on a weekday evening; 3 classes 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Topics include what to expect during labor and delivery, birthing options, admission to the hospital, epidurals and pain management, vaginal and C-Section births, common interventions and scenarios, and much more. A tour of the maternity unit is also provided as part of this class. Not sure which format is right for you? The 3-part series is a slower pace, provides more discussion and networking amongst participants, and offers more time to practice comfort measures during the class, with instructor coaching. Those who take the one-day class will also learn comfort techniques but will have less practice time during class. Please note that newborn care and breastfeeding are not included in this class. Participants are highly encouraged to sign up for our Breastfeeding and Babycare class.
This two-part class is ideal for expectant, new, or adoptive parents. Learn about baby care basics including cord care, circumcision care, jaundice, diapering and bathing. We also go beyond the basics and include essential information on cloth diapering, ‘green baby’ tips, using your car seat correctly, and techniques to calm a fussy baby, limit crying, and promote good sleep patterns. You will also learn infant CPR/choking during this class. Participants receive a newborn care DVD, a take-home infant CPR manikin and instructional DVD, and more.
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