Franciscan Health SystemA d vA n c e d m e d i c i n e , T r u S T e d c A r e

Childbirth and Parenting Classesfor the Best Beginnings

F A m i L Y e d u c A T i O n

Dear Parents-to-be:

Thank you for choosing Franciscan for this

momentous life event. We’re honored to share in

the preparation and birth of your child. There is

much to learn, and we’re here to help however we

can, when and how you need us.

There is no right or

wrong order in which

to take classes. Based

on our experience, it

makes sense to take

most classes during

the second trimester,

when you generally

have the most time

and energy. it is

also helpful to take

childbirth Preparation early in the third trimester

so you complete the series before your due date,

with the information still fresh in your mind when

the time comes to deliver.

We know the many choices involved in bringing

your baby into the world can be daunting. relax

and enjoy the journey. You and your baby will do

just fine together!

Best wishes to you and your growing family,

Your Friends at Franciscan Family Birth Centers

Suggested class Order

Second trimester Breastfeeding Preparation maternity reception and Tour newborn Preparation Protecting Your Pelvic Floor

Third trimester childbirth Preparation conscious Fathering

Postpartum cPr/infant Safety infant massage

Class OfferingsRegister online at

www.FHShealth.org/childbirthclasses

or call 1-888-825-3227, 24 hours a day,

seven days a week (se habla español).

Have questions? call our dedicated

education specialist at 253-426-6253 or email

Familyeducation@FHShealth.org.

Family Birth center maternity reception and Tour

Franciscan Family Birth centers offer free tours for

women and their families to learn about Franciscan

Health System and our holistic approach to

childbirth. meet some of our staff, ask questions

and tour our birth center. The tours are educational

and highlight birth center amenities, provide

specific information for your delivery including

when to come to the hospital, where to park,

where to enter, and more details about your

anticipated stay. The tours are guided by family

birth center staff or educators and take between

30-90 minutes depending on the facility. FREE

All of our classes are

taught by specialists,

certified educators

or nurses.

visita guiada y recepción del centro de maternidad Franciscan Family Birth center at St. Joseph

Franciscan Family Birth center at St. Joseph ofrece

visitas guiadas gratuitas para que las mujeres

y sus familiares aprendan sobre el Sistema de

Salud Franciscano y nuestro enfoque holístico del

parto. conozca parte de nuestro personal, haga

preguntas y recorra nuestro centro de maternidad.

Las visitas guiadas son educativas y destacan los

servicios del centro de maternidad, proporcionan

información específica para el parto, como cuándo

venir al hospital, dónde estacionar, por dónde

entrar y muchos detalles sobre su esperada

hospitalización. el personal o los educadores del

centro de maternidad dirigen las visitas guiadas, las

que toman entre 60 y 75 minutos. Gratuito

childbirth Preparation

This class is devoted to increasing your

understanding of labor and birth. each of

our childbirth class series provides you and a

companion with information on labor and delivery,

breath awareness, positions for labor, comfort

measures, the use of medications, cesarean and

vaginal birth after cesarean (vBAc), and newborns.

Offered in four-week, two-day and one-day

formats. classes that meet for less time offer

similar material in a condensed manner. Whether

you anticipate use of medications or not, you will

appreciate the variety of information offered in

these educational and creative classes. Our staff

consists of qualified and experienced professionals

who are each intimately familiar with each of our

birth centers. All series include a guided tour of our

birth center. FREE with Provider One card.

discover how

your Franciscan

Family Birth

center can help

ensure the best

beginning for

your baby.

Preparación para el parto (en Español)

esta clase está dedicada a aumentar su

comprensión del trabajo de parto y el parto. La

clase le proporciona a usted y a un acompañante

información sobre el trabajo de parto y el parto,

conciencia de la respiración, posiciones para el

trabajo de parto, medidas de comodidad, el uso de

medicamentos, parto por cesárea y vaginal después

de una cesárea (Pvdc) y recién nacidos. Formato

de un día solamente, solo en St. Joseph medical

center. Gratuito con una tarjeta del proveedor.

Teen childbirth Preparation

This four-week class series is specifically designed

to meet the unique needs of expectant teens.

Topics covered include healthy prenatal practices,

labor and delivery, labor coping techniques, the

use of medications, cesarean birth, vaginal birth

after cesarean (vBAc) and newborns. This class

series also covers material related to developing

healthy self-esteem, diet and exercise, and

parenting skills. FREE with Provider One card.

especially Yours

We offer a three-hour, private childbirth

preparation class for the expectant mother and

her companion. registered students personally

select class content and arrange the date, time

and location which best suits their schedule.

One-on-one instruction includes use of audiovisual

aids commonly found in a typical childbirth

class setting.

Online childbirth Preparation

ideal for the busy 21st century parent, this option

is well suited for families with limited flexibility to

attend classes in person. Quality, evidence-based

material within a simple and easy-to-use online

interface. content includes instructive videos,

interactive activities, and access to handouts. class

duration is typically four to six hours.

Protecting Your Pelvic Floor

Protect your pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy

and beyond. Franciscan physical therapists,

specialists in pelvic floor muscle training, offer

empowering techniques to strengthen and protect

your pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy and

the process of birth. explore strategies such

as birthing positions, exercises, aromatherapy,

breathing methods, scar massage and maternity

belt supports. due to the personal nature of

the curriculum, expectant mother and female

companion only please.

Breastfeeding Preparation

Although breastfeeding is considered nature’s

way, many mothers find taking a class related to

covering the basics of breastfeeding very beneficial.

class topics include initiation of breastfeeding,

how to get breastfeeding off to the very best start,

positioning options, how to know your baby is

feeding well, preventing common problems, and

how to access breastfeeding help after you leave

the hospital.

newborn Preparation

Preparation for care of your newborn baby can help

alleviate concerns, and instill a greater sense of

confidence in your intuition and parenting ability.

This one-time class includes topics such as care of

mom and baby, car seats, immunizations, diapering

and bathing, helpful hints for adjusting to new roles,

and health and safety issues.

Preparation is the

key to confident

parenting.

conscious Fathering

So you are going to be a dad! excited and

terrified often describes the beginning stages of

fatherhood. Studies reinforce what we all know,

that babies need fathers as much as they need

mothers, and that a father’s active involvement

in his child’s life is a critical component of

healthy development. This three-hour class

provides a supportive environment with other

dads, or dads-to-be, to learn and explore your

individual definition of fatherhood and the role

you will choose to play in your child’s life. You

will discuss life adjustments, fears of fathering,

defining priorities, methods of problem solving,

the importance of partnership, basic infant care

techniques, self-care and creating plans for dealing

with stressful situations.

infant massage

in a fun and relaxed atmosphere you will learn

how to massage your baby. Hands-on practice will

help you create a lasting bond with your baby—

and can also help relieve common symptoms that

occur with infants. massage can help stimulate the

immune system, increase circulation, and decrease

gas and colic. Babies up to eight months of age

are welcome.

cPr and infant Safety

This cPr course teaches life-saving skills for infants

and children, relief of choking, and strategies to

childproof your home. This class is intended for

people who want to learn cPr but do not need a

completion or certification card.

Love and Logic

This course is a practical guide to teaching children

responsibility through love and logic. it provides

sound strategies for dealing with almost any

problem adults face when communicating with

children. Participants will learn specific “how-to’s,”

not theoretical concepts. For more details on

course content go to www.LoveandLogic.com.

can be taught at your site.

infant massage

can help parents

create a lasting

bond with

their baby.

Safe Sitter

Better sitters today…better parents tomorrow.

Safe Sitter is an innovative, medically accurate

babysitter training program designed to

prepare adolescents to handle minor and major

emergencies. child safety and child care skills are

the focus of this one-day class. Students must pass

a test in order to fulfill the course requirements.

This class is designed for 11-13 year olds. can be

taught at your site. For more details on course

content, go online to www.SafeSitter.org.

Free! car Seat inspection at St. Francis Hospital

estimates claim 9 out of 10 car seats are improperly

installed. used correctly, a car seat greatly reduces

the chance of injury or fatality in the event of an

accident. certified car seat technicians will work

with your family to ensure that:

• Yourchildisintheappropriateseat

• Theseathasnotbeenrecalled

• Theseatisproperlyinstalled

St. Francis Medical Office Building–Front Entrance

34509 9th Ave. S.

Federal Way, WA 98003

Once a month, 5:30 –7 p.m.

For dates, times and registration, visit

www.FHShealth.org/carseat.

Discount Package

register for the discount package by calling our

registration call center at your convenience, 24

hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-825-3227.

One-Stop Saturday Package

designed for those who care to spend a weekend

day preparing for their baby’s homecoming, this

one-day offering is specially priced and includes

Breastfeeding Preparation, newborn Preparation

and cPr/infant Safety. All three classes must be

taken on the same day.

Scholarship resources may be available. Contact

our dedicated education specialist for criteria to

qualify: 253-426-6253.

Support ResourcesFranciscan Lactation (breastfeeding) Services ............. 253-426-6756Board-certified lactation consultants provide

breastfeeding instruction and assistance in hospital

or in outpatient clinic visits, and breast pump rental

or purchase.

Franciscan Wic (Women, infants & children)

Franciscan WIC Clinic–Lakewood ..... 253-588-9597

11216 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood

Franciscan WIC Clinic–Parkland ........ 253-531-2460

121 132nd St. S., Tacoma

Breastfeeding information and support, community

resources and referrals, food vouchers, nutrition

and health education for moms and their families.

must meet eligibility criteria to participate. clinics

are located along Pierce Transit routes.

maternity Support Services (mSS) ..........................1-888-996-0903Offered in collaboration with Step by Step, a

community agency, which provides resources

and referrals, education, financial assistance,

housing, family planning, counseling and nutrition

education. Services are provided at Franciscan Wic

offices. visit www.stepbystepnews.org.

Franciscan children’s immunization Program .............253-426-6938Free immunizations for children two months old

through their 19th birthday at community-based

clinics. visit www.tpchd.org.

Helpful ContactsFinancial counseling .............................1-866-779-4347

Family Birth center at St. Joseph medical center .......................253-426-6856

Family Birth center at St. Francis Hospital.....................................253-944-7977

Family Birth center at St. elizabeth Hospital ................................360-802-8530

Physician or midwife referrals ............1-888-825-3227

Have questions about our Family education classes?

call our dedicated education specialist

weekdays at 253-426-6253 or email

Familyeducation@FHShealth.org.

register online at

www.FHShealth.org/childbirthclasses

or call 1-888-825-3227

24 hours a day, seven days a week

(se habla español).

Serving … •ST.JoSephMedicalcenTer,TacoMa •ST.FranciShoSpiTal,FederalWaY •ST.clarehoSpiTal,lakeWood •ST.elizabeThhoSpiTal,enuMclaW •ST.anThonYhoSpiTal,GiGharbor and surrounding communities.

Family Birth centers

32-1009,10/12,10k