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Parent-ChildEducation Classes

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Prepared ChildbirthApproach labor and delivery with confidence by learning what to expect during childbirth in this one-day class Mount Auburn Hospital. You’ll get the information you and your partner need to make the choices that are right for your family.

Learn about:

• Physicalchangesduringpregnancy• Signsandstagesoflabor• Availableinterventions,suchaslaborinduction• Painreliefoptions• Breathingtechniques• Effectivelaborpositioningandpushing• Theroleofthesupportperson• Cesareanbirth• Postpartumchangesandemotions

ThisclassincludesatouroftheBainBirthingCenter.ThisclassmeetsonaSaturdayorSundayfrom9a.m.to5p.m.

Cost: $180 per couple

How to Register for a Class:

• Gotoourwebsitewww.mountauburnhospital.org.

• Onthecrimsonbaracrossthetopofthepage, clickonClassesandEvents.

• Onthenextpage,scrolldowntoclickonPregnancyand Childbirth.Fromthereyouwillbetakentoalistofclasses.

• Clickonthenameoftheclassforwhichyouwishtoregister andfollowtheinstructions.Thereisalsoacalendaronthat page.Ifyouhoveroveraparticulardate,youwillseewhich class or classes are scheduled for that date.

• Pleasenoteyouwillneedacreditcardtoregister.

• MeettheMidwivesandMeettheDoctorsarefreeofcharge anddonotrequireregistration.BainBirthingCenterToursand tours associated with Meet the Midwives are also free of charge butdorequireregistrationsinceweareabletoaccommodatea limited number of people on each tour.

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Natural ChildbirthThisone-daycourseisdesignedforexpectantparentswhowanttolearn coping skills for labor that will help them avoid or minimize the useofmedication.You’lldiscoverwaystobreaktheFear-Tension-Paincycle in order to allow the body to work as nature intended.

Inthisinteractiveclass,you’lllearnaboutandpractice:

•Positioningandmovementthatincreasecomfortformother and encourage baby to pass more easily through her pelvis•Theuseoflabormassageandpressuretechniques•Breathingtechniquesdrawnfromyogic,Bradley®, andLamaze®practice•Copingmechanismssuchasvisualization,aromatherapy,and hydrotherapy to reduce stress and help the uterus work more efficiently

You’lllearnaboutthestagesoflabor,postpartumchanges,and what to expect from your newborn in the first hours and days of life.Yourinstructorwillalsoreviewinterventionsavailabletoyou,shouldtheybecomemedicallynecessary,suchascesareanbirth,inductionoflabor,andmedicationoptions.

ThisclassincludesatouroftheBainBirthingCenter.ThisclassmeetsonaSaturdayorSundayfrom9a.m.to5p.m.

Cost: $180 per couple

Having Your Baby Your Way SeriesThisthree-weekcoursewillgiveyoutheknowledgeyouwantto approach labor with confidence. It will give you the information you needtopartnerwithyourphysicianormidwifesothat,together,you can make the choices that are right for you and your baby.

Topicsincludeanoverviewofnormallaborandbirth,whathappensiflabordoesn’tgoquiteasplanned,availableinterventions,medications,anesthesia,cesareanbirth,andtheimmediatenewbornandearly postpartumperiod.You’llbeintroducedtorelaxation,breathing,positioning,andpushingtechniques,andyou’llhavetimetogetyourquestionsanswered.

ThisclassincludesatouroftheBainBirthingCenter.Thiscourse is offered on Wednesday evenings; each class lasts three hours.

Cost: $180 per couple

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HypnoBirthing®—The Mongan MethodLearnmind-bodyrelaxationtechniquestohelpyouachieveacalm,safe and gentle birth free of unnecessary interventions.

You’ll learn:

•Howyourbodyisbuiltforbirth

•Self-hypnosis

•Relaxationandvisualization

•Breathingtechniques

•Lighttouchlabormassage

•Howyourpartnercanoffersupportduringlabor

•Positionsforlaborandbirth

•Earlyfamilybondingpractices

ThisclassincludesatouroftheBainBirthingCenter.Thisseries meets weekly for five weeks; each class lasts two-and-a-half hours.

Cost:$235percouple

Sibling Class

Thearrivalofanewbrotherorsistercanbebothexcitingand confusingforlittlechildren.Helpyourchild(2years&9monthsorolder) prepare for his or her new role as a big brother or sister. In this parent-child class you will learn ways to help your child adjust to the newarrival,andyourchildwillhavetheopportunitytopractice baby care. A guided tour of our maternity unit is included.

Cost:$35fortwochildrenaccompaniedbyuptotwoadults

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Mindfulness-Based Childbirth & Parenting

Having a baby is one of the most transformative experiences in a person’slife.Learningmindfulnessduringyourpregnancy-thatis,the awareness that comes from purposefully and non judgmentally paying attention in the present moment - can help you immensely during the birth process. Whatever your intention around theuseornon-useofpainmedicationduringchildbirth, Mindfulness-BasedChildbirth&Parenting(MBCP)provides skills for the mind and body to support you and your partner asyouruniquebirthunfolds,momentbymoment.

Bylearningandpracticingmindfulnessduringyourpregnancy, you will learn how to engage your mind to work with pain and fearandhowtostrengthenskillsformanagingstressinpregnancy,parenting,anddailylife.Bytheendofthiscourse,youwill understand the mind/body connection of birth and how to optimize it by influencing your internal and external environment when possible and letting go when necessary.

Duringthisnine-weekcourse,youwilllearnto:

• Accessyourcapacityfordeepphysicalandmentalrelaxation

• Engageyourmindtoworkwiththesensationsoflabor

• Increaseconfidenceandcouragefortheexperienceof labor and birth

• Practiceprenatalyogaforstrengthandflexibility

• Developskillsformanagingstressinpregnancy,parenting, and daily life

• Enhancepartnercommunicationskills

• Becomemoreawareofyourownapproachtoparenting

Cost: $450percouple,includesNancyBardacke’shighly acclaimedbook,Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond,andaCDtohelpyouinyourmindfulness practice

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Tools for Natural Childbirth: a hands-on workshopIfyou’relookingforwardtoanaturalchildbirth,you’llwanta“laborkit”fulloftoolsandtechniquesthatcanhelpyouachievethat goal. You’ll also want guidance in how to use those techniquesinvarioussituationsthatmightariseinlabor. Andyou’llwanttopracticetheminanunhurriedsetting.Thisthree-hour workshop is taught by experienced educators who have coached countless women through successful labors and births without the use of medication.

Thisworkshopiscomplementaryto,butdoesnotreplace,a full-length childbirth class. We recommend that first-time parents takePreparedChildbirth,NaturalChildbirth,orHavingYourBabyYourWaybeforetakingToolsforaNaturalChildbirthsincethis hands-on mini-course will not cover the same material. Thisclassis,however,appropriateforexperiencedparents whowouldlikearefresherinnaturalchildbirthtechniques.

Workshop content includes:

•Encouragingoptimalfetalpositioningforlaborandbirth

•Useofpropssuchasthebirthingballandthepeanut

•UseoftheRebozo-alargetraditionalscarf-inlabor

•Breathworkandmindfulnesspractices

•Nourishmentduringlabor

•Vocalization

•Counter-pressureandacupressure

•Supporttechniquesforthelaborpartner

•Essentialoilsandhomeopathicremedies

ThisclasstypicallymeetsonaSaturdayorSundayatthe CenterforWomenonthefirstfloorofthehospital.

Cost:$90percouple

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Infant CPR for Family and FriendsThistwo-hourclasswillprovideparentsandcaregiversof infantswiththetoolstobepreparedforemergencysituations,includingthosethatmayrequiretheuseofCPR(cardiopulmonary resuscitation).TheclassistaughtbyacertifiedCPRinstructor in accordance with American Heart Association guidelines. Topicscoveredinclude:

•TechniquesforadministeringinfantCPR

•Clearinganobstructedairway

•Generalinfantsafety

Cost:$50.00percouple(includestheAmericanHeart AssociationpublicationFamily&Friends™ CPR-CardiopulmonaryResuscitation)

Happiest Baby & Infant Care EssentialsAfterthisthree-hourclass,you’llbereadytotakeyournewbornhome with increased confidence in your parenting skills. In the HappiestBabyportionofthisclass,discoverproventechniques to soothe your baby and improve his or her sleep. You’ll:•Understandthe“fourthtrimester”• Learnhowtorecognizeandrespondtoyourbaby’smoods• Practice“ThefiveS’s”–simple,step-by-stepsoothing techniquesdevelopedbyHarveyKarp,MD,anationally renowned pediatrician and child development specialist• LearnhowtohelpyourbabysleepbetterDuringtheInfantCareEssentialspartofclass,you’llreview common newborn characteristics and behaviors and learn about:• Bathingandhygiene,includingumbilicalcordcare•Diapering•Howtorecognizesignsofillnessandproperlytakeyour baby’s temperature• Infantmilestones• SleepsafetyCost:$70percouple,includesa“HappiestBabyontheBlock”DVDvaluedat$25.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the difference between Natural Childbirth, Prepared Childbirth, and Having Your Baby Your Way?

NaturalChildbirthisaone-dayclassintendedforparentswhoare primarily interested in laboring and giving birth without the use of narcotics or epidural anesthesia. Interventions and theuseofmedicationarebrieflycovered.PreparedChildbirthis a one-day class designed to meet the needs of those who are likely to want to use medication or epidural anesthesia in labor and want more detailed information about other common interventions.HavingYourBabyYourWaymeetsoverthreeWednesday evenings and works well for those who prefer havingtimebetweensessionstopracticetechniquesand processinformationpresentedduringclass.Thecontentis amixtureofboththeNaturalandPreparedChildbirth curricula.Becausesessionsspreadout,groupinputaboutwhat material is emphasized can be more readily incorporated intotheclasses.NaturalChildbirth,PreparedChildbirth,andHavingYourBabyYourWayallincludeanoverviewoflabor,whatyoucanexpectduringeachstageaslaborprogresses,theimmediatenewbornandpostpartumperiods,practicesspecifictoMountAuburnHospital,andatour.

AnyoftheseclassescanbesupplementedbyToolsfora NaturalChildbirth:ahands-onworkshop,athree-hourclassthatfocusesonanarrayofspecifictechniquesthatenablewomen and their partners to expand their capacity to labor andgivebirthwithlittleornomedication.Thisclassdoesnotcovergeneralinformationaboutlabor,theimmediatenewbornandpostpartumperiods,orinterventions.Itcanserve as a refresher class for experienced parents but is not designed as a stand-alone class for first-time parents.

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2. Do my partner and I need to register separately for classes? How about for tours?

A woman and her labor partner are considered one registration for both classes and tours. It works best if registration is in the name of the mother-to-be and includes all the information requestedforbothherandherpartner.

3. The class I want is full. When do you post new classes? Classesarepostedatleastthreemonthsaheadonarolling schedule.Ifwanttoregisterforaspecificclassthatisfull, please look for another date on which that class is offered. Sometimestherearecancellations.Ifyourcircumstances are such that you cannot find a suitable class and must attend classbeforethenextmonth’sclassesareposted,pleaseemail us at childbirthed@mah.harvard.edu and we will do our best to help you find a class.

4. Can I bring my newborn to the Infant CPR class? Can I bring a grandparent or caregiver?

Non-mobileinfantsarewelcomeatourInfantCPRclass. Unfortunately,wearenotabletoaccommodateolderbabies. Eachregistrationincludestwoadults.Additionaladultsneed to register separately.

5. Can I bring my older child on the Bain Birthing Center Tour?

BainBirthingCenterToursaredesignedforadults.They are about one hour long and space is limited. If you need to bringanolderchildonatour,pleasecontactusat childbirthed@mah.harvard.edu.

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6. The tour I want to take is full. Can I be added or just show up that day?

Registrationisrequired.Toursareusuallypostedona monthly basis. Additional tours may be added at any time withinagivenmonth,socheckbackperiodicallyifthetouryouwantisclosedtoregistration.Toursareusually completely booked and unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walk-ins.

7. When is the best time to take a Childbirth Education class?

It’sbesttohaveyourChildbirthEducationclasscompleted between34-36weeks.Takingclassestoprepareforlaborandbirthbefore28-30weeksisgenerallynotadvisablesince,inmostcases,toomuchtimewillhaveelapsedbeforeyourlearning willbeputtouse.HypnoBirthingandMindfulness-BasedChildbirthandParentingclassesaretheexceptions. HypnoBirthingrunsforfiveweeksandrequiresongoing practice after you’ve completed it in order to get the greatest benefitfromthecourse.Evenso,startingHypnoBirthingataround28weekswillleaveyoulotsoftimetopractice.SinceMindfulness-BasedChildbirthandParentingisanine-weekcourse,itcanbestartedasearlyas24weeks.

8. Is it appropriate for me to bring my partner to the Breastfeeding Class?

WewelcomepartnersatBreastfeedingClass.

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9. What should I bring to class? Will food be provided? What should I wear?

You will get a detailed email the week before your class or classesarescheduledtostart.Ingeneral,plantobringtwopillows to class. Most instructors will want you to have them.

Light snacks and bottled water are provided. Lunch is available for purchase in the cafeteria on the second floor. You are also welcome to bring your own food. Lunch break isusually30-45minuteslong.

Women(andtheirpartners)shouldwearloose,comfortableclothing that will allow them to move around and get down on floor mats.

10. How can I get reimbursed by my insurance company for a Childbirth Ed class?

SomeinsurersreimburseforalloraportionofChildbirth Educationclasses;othersdonot.Pleasecheckwithyourinsurer to find out if reimbursement is available. If your insurer does not offer reimbursement and you have a MedicalFlexibleSpendingAccount,youshouldbeable to use those funds for childbirth preparation classes.

You will receive an email receipt from us for your payment. AsignedCertificateofAttendancewillbegiventoyouat theendofyourclass.Thesetwodocumentsareyourproofthat you have paid for and attended class. Your insurer or MedicalFlexibleSpendingAccountadministratorwillneedthemtoprocessreimbursement.Neitheraprocedurenordiagnosiscodeisrequired.

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A Teaching Hospital of Harvard Medical School

330 Mount Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Printed by Mount Auburn HospitalBrochure 82, Rev. 5/8/2017

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellationsareaccepteduptoonedaypriortothefirst classforarefund,minusa$35processingcharge.Thereis no charge for changing the date of your class with one week’s notice.

Contact:

CalltheChildbirthEducationDepartmentat617-499-5121 or email us at childbirthed@mah.harvard.edu