Introduction
You can count on a new baby to bring changes to your life. We are here to help you prepare and adjust. Feel more confident and relaxed about your pregnancy knowing what to expect about your upcoming parenthood.
Fairview Red Wing Health Services offers a program of classes for expectant parents to help prepare for the delivery, birth and care of your baby. The classes are divided into seven sections. Each section is designed to meet your needs during of each stage of pregnancy or parenthood:

Childbirth Education Classes

Pregnancy (third or fourth month)

• Conception and pregnancy—facts and myths
• The importance of good prenatal care and its influences on both mother and child
• Physical and emotional changes experienced by expectant parents
• Physical activity during pregnancy—exercise, relaxation, work, proper body mechanics
• Changes in lifestyle—nutrition, smoking, alcohol
• Fetal development (baby's development)
• Discomforts of pregnancy: causes and possible remedies
• Warning signs: how to recognize them and what to do
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Baby Care & Nutrition (sixth or seventh month)

• Normal characteristics of the newborn
• Care of your baby includes baby bath demonstration
• Helpful hints about clothing and equipment
• Family adjustments to the new baby
• Brain development in the first three years
• Physical development
• Couplet care
• Infant nutrition—the first year of life
• How feeding decisions impact your baby's development and health
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Labor & Delivery (seventh of eight month)
• How labor begins and progresses
• Breathing and relaxation techniques for use during labor and delivery
• Birth films—normal vaginal delivery
• Practice sessions for breathing and relaxation
• Tour of OB department
• Options for pain relief
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Cesarean Birth
• Cesarean birth film
• Discussion, question and answer period
• Tour of operating room where C-sections are done
• Anesthesiologist present to answer questions

 Labor & Delivery Review
• Review of signs and symptoms of labor
• When to come to the hospital
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Review of pain management options
• New options available (no need to bring a blanket or pillow)
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Siblings
• For children preparing for the new baby's arrival
• Tour the hospital maternity area and hospital rooms
• See a newborn baby
• Watch a slide presentation on "Big Kids & Baby"
• Draw pictures for new baby's hospital crib
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Postnatal Classes
• Baby's weight gain, activity level, sleep time and fussy time discussion
• Feeding your baby—helpful hints for breast and formula feeding. Introduction to solid foods
• Babysitting and daycare
• Lactation consulting
• Effects of baby on marriage and family roles
• Dealing with other people's opinions on baby care
• Question and answer period
• Sharing of information between moms
• Speakers on various pertinent topics

Contact information

Ann Warrington, RN, IBCLC: Childbirth Education Coordinator 651-267-5375
Jana Brand, Physicians’ Assistant: Outpatient OB Department 651-267-5546
Brenda Robinson, LPN: Outpatient OB Department   651-267-5538 

Childbirth Education
Fairview Red Wing Medical Center
701 Fairview Blvd.
PO Box 95
Red Wing, MN 55066
651-267-5650