Childbirth, other classes planned for WIC, Highland center

A variety of childbirth related classes will be offered by the Women and Infants Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese during the next several weeks.

Sessions will be held at the Breese hospital and at the HSHS Health & Wellness Center, 1328 Mercantile Drive in Highland. This facility is in Woodcrest Plaza along US Route 40, south of Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell.

Leading off the month are several childbirth classes.

A three-week Prepared Childbirth course is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 2, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16 at the HSHS Health & Wellness Center in Highland and again at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, March 9, March 16 and March 23 at the Breese Women and Infants Center.

In addition, a Prepared Childbirth Refresher will be offered at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, and a one-day Prepared Childbirth class is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 6, both at St. Joseph- Breese.

Sessions provide information to decrease anxiety and fears. Topics include relaxation, comfort measures, variations of normal labor and delivery, Caesarean births, risks and benefits of medication.

Three breastfeeding sessions are on the calendar: a Breastfeeding Support Group at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, in the Women and Infants Center; and Breastfeeding Classes at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Breese, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Highland.

The group is for pregnant women, newly delivered and experienced mothers who want more information and/or are interested in talking to others who are nursing; the class is for parents who are considering or have decided to breastfeed. A lactation consultant will lead the sessions.

With funding from the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Community Link’s First Step Family in Breese will offer a “Happiest Baby” session from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, and a two-part infant massage class at 6 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 22 and March 1, both at the Highland facility.

The infant massage class is for babies from birth to about six months old and offers a great opportunity for two hours of bonding between parent and child. The instructor is trained by the Loving Touch Foundation.

Certified “Happiest Baby” instructors focus on understanding newborn behavior and strategies to soothe fussy babies. Sessions are appropriate for new or expectant parents, caregivers and daycare providers.

Additionally, the next Baby Care and Safety class is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, and the next Sibling Class is planned from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, both at St. Joseph’s in Breese.

The sibling class is for children three to 10 years old who are having a new brother or sister within the next two months. Baby Care and Safety classes are for moms- and dads-to-be and focus on knowing your newborn.

For details, a schedule or to register (requested), contact 526-5423 or e-mail Helen Essenpreis.