Educational Information
Special Delivery Classes
Breastfeeding
Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnancy Complications
Labor and Delivery Pain Medication
Choosing a Pediatrician or Family Doctor
Postpartum
Special Delivery Classes
LMC offers a variety of classes designed to prepare parents for all the challenges of labor, delivery, baby care, breastfeeding and helping siblings adjust to a new member in the family and more. We encourage all first-time, as well as experienced parents, to attend our classes and learn to truly enjoy the wonderful miracle of birth.
We believe that being prepared is so important that all our classes are offered
free of charge to all expectant parents.
The preparation for childbirth classes, for example, are offered as a series of four Tuesdays or condensed into a one-day workshop class on several Saturdays throughout the year. Classes are taught by experienced registered nurses who also work on LMC's birthing unit so you may see them again during your hospital stay.
- Birthing Basics Class
- Birthing Basics Workshop
- Breastfeeding Basics
- Sibling Class
Birthing Basics Class
This three-session class is
offered Wednesdays from 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m. at Towne Centre, across from Marketplace.
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Jan. 6, 13 & 20
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Feb. 3, 10 & 17
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March 3, 10, 17
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April 7, 14 & 21
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May 5, 12 & 19
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June 2, 9 & 16
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July 7, 14 & 21
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Aug. 4, 11 & 18
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Sept. 1, 8 & 15
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Oct. 6, 13 & 20
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Nov. 3, 10 & 17
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Dec. 1, 8 & 15
In this series, expectant parents will learn about:
• Stages of labor
• Comfort measures
• Labor and childbirth procedures
• Reasons for cesarean sections
• and much more
Couples will learn what they need to know to start them on their journey to parenthood including the process of birthing, how to work with labor effectively, and how to make informed decisions when interventions are needed. Two bed pillows, a pen
or pencil, and comfortable clothes are recommended for class.
Birthing
Basics Workshop
Offered
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Towne Centre, across
from Marketplace.
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Jan. 16
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Feb. 13
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March 20
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April 17
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May 22
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June 12
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July 24
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Aug. 14
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Sept. 25
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Oct. 16
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Nov. 6
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Dec. 4
If you don't have time for three Wednesday night classes or your work schedule doesn't allow you to go, this one-day class is for you. We condensed the information from the series into one session. It is the first step to becoming the best parent you can be.
Breastfeeding
Basics
Offered Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. in the Towne Centre, across from Marketplace.
- Jan. 27
- Feb. 24
- March 24
- April 28
- May 26
- June 23
- July 28
- Aug. 25
- Sept. 22
- Oct. 27
- No November class
- Dec. 22
Did you know that only you can feed
your baby with the perfect food?Whether you've made the decision to breastfeed or not, this class will give you
all the information and support you need to feel you've made the right choice.
Sibling Class
Offered 2nd Tuesday, every-other month,
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the LMC Conference Room.
- Jan. 12
- March 9
- May 11
- July 13
- Sept. 14
- Nov. 9
Parents and siblings attend this class to help the whole family prepare for the many changes that occur when a new baby arrives. Kids will learn:
- How babies grow in mommies
- What it's like to be a big brother or sister
- How to diaper, swaddle, and hold their baby
- Where mom will be when she's in the hospital
- What a real baby in the nursery looks like
- and much more!
Every child should bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal to class.
Mother/Baby Support
Group
Offered 2nd Thursdays,
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Call for
location.
- Jan. 14
- Feb. 11
- March 11
- April 8
- May 13
- June 10
- July 8
- Aug. 12
- Sept. 9
- Oct. 14
- Nov. 11
- Dec. 9
Cesarean/Labor Refresher
Classes
Scheduled upon patient request. Call 236-6168 to set
up a meeting with a nurse.
Breastfeeding
At Lakeview Medical Center more than 70 percent of new moms choose to breastfeed. Experts agree that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. Breast milk contains important antibodies and nutrition your baby needs. Breastfeeding protects your baby from illness and even some allergies and many breastfed babies have fewer stomach upsets. Mom benefits too. Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract and return to normal size, helps with losing the weight gained during pregnancy and may even lower your chance of getting breast cancer. Our staff at the Maternity Center will help you get started breastfeeding. You can also work with our
Certified Lactation Consultant in the hospital once you return home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be taking a prenatal vitamin?
Many key vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy can be obtained from dietary sources, but it is important to discuss whether you will need a prenatal vitamin with your doctor. It is important to note that some vitamins, like Vitamin A can be harmful to the baby if high doses are taken. Make sure you inform your doctor of all supplements you are taking.
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
Weight gain during pregnancy varies from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy. For a healthy woman that is not over or under weight, she can expect to gain 25 to 35 pounds. Underweight women are encouraged to gain a little more weight and overweight women are encouraged to gain slightly less weight. It is not recommended for a woman to diet or try to lose weight during pregnancy.
Why is it so important to avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs?
Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or taking drugs can harm a baby during pregnancy. A baby exposed to these substances can develop complications such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, have low birth weight, be born prematurely and have learning disabilities or developmental problems.
What medicines are safe to take during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking and remember to include both prescribed and over the counter medications. Your doctor will determine if you should continue taking a certain medication, if there is another similar product that is safer or if you need to discontinue use altogether.
What are the advantages to breastfeeding?
Breast milk provides the perfect food for your infant. Breast milk contains all the nutrients your growing baby needs and because it is easier to digest than cow's milk, breastfeed babies are almost never constipated and rarely have diarrhea.
Babies that are breastfed are less likely to be overweight as infants or have obesity problems later in life.
Breastfed babies tend to have less illness in their first year due to the abundance of immune factors in breast milk.
Breastfeeding is convenient and economical.
For mothers, breastfeeding helps to speed the shrinking of the uterus back to its prepregnant size and helps her burn off the weight gained during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Complications
Some women may face complications during pregnancy that range from a slight risk to serious situations. It is important to know the danger signs during pregnancy and to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Danger signs are a warning that something is wrong. Some of these danger signs include contractions of the uterus more than five times in a hour, bleeding from your vagina, severe headaches or dizziness, sight problems, leaking or gushing of fluid from your vagina, fever over 100 F, severe pain or cramps in your back or abdomen, movement of baby slows down dramatically or stops, or pain or burning when urinating. If you experience any of these symptoms or other symptoms that concern you, contact your doctor immediately.
Labor and Delivery Pain Medication
Labor and delivery involves three main stages and the journey through these stages is different for every woman. Understanding what is happening during labor will help ease your fears. Lakeview Medical Center's Prepared Childbirth Class covers the basics of labor and the options for pain medication. Should your doctor determine a cesarean section is necessary, you will want to understand what a c-section is and how pain medication is used.
Lakeview Medical Center offers patients several pain management options. Please discuss these options with your doctor prior to delivery. Because every woman's labor and delivery experience is unique, it is difficult to tell you exactly what your experience will be like. That is why it is wise to know what your options are so when you are in labor you can make an educated decision about your pain management care.
Lakeview Medical Center offers the following options:
Unassisted Pain Management
Some women prefer to labor without pain medication. Our staff is trained to offer support and encouragement to mothers who decline pain medication. Techniques to try during labor to relieve pain include the use of relaxation and breathing techniques, changing positions often from sitting to walking to standing, massage, the use of a birthing ball, listening to music or focusing on an object.
Use of intravenous medication
This option involves the use of narcotic pain medication introduced intravenously to the mother during labor. This type of pain management is described as "taking the edge off” of contractions.
Epidural anesthesia
The use of epidurals for pain control during labor is a common practice in the U.S. An epidural involves the placement of a fine tube that has been inserted through a needle in the lower back. Medication is then given through the tube to "numb” the lower half of the body. Epidurals are used during vaginal births and c-section births.
Choosing a Pediatrician or Family Practice Doctor
Once you've had your baby you will need to choose a family doctor or pediatrician for your baby.
Click here for help in choosing a doctor for your baby.
Postpartum
Congratulations on your new baby! It is best to take it easy and keep things simple the first few weeks you are home with your new baby. You may be feeling excitement, joy, anxiety and exhaustion all at once. Things can seem overwhelming, so it is important to keep communication open. Adjusting to parenthood can take some time. Try to limit your visitors during the first weeks at home to give yourself time to recover and to adjust to your new baby.
It is important to be honest with your
feelings. If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, angry
or sad and don't know what to do about it, please contact
your obstetrician, pediatrician, or family doctor.
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