BRMH | OB - Family Beginnings

Services > Inpatient > OB—Family Beginnings

At BRMH we have many opportunities for parents-to-be to learn about prenatal care, childbirth, and transitioning home with their newborn. We offer Childbirth Education Classes, Breastfeeding Classes, and Sibling Preparation Classes throughout the year in a relaxed atmosphere.

Family Beginnings (PDF, 1MB)

Childbirth Education Classes
We offer parents-to-be the option of a four-week Tuesday evening series or a single, all-day Saturday class to help prepare the mother and father for the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. These classes will give you an opportunity to better understand your body, the changes that occur during pregnancy, and the birthing process.

Research shows that childbirth preparation creates more positive effects and attitudes about the labor experience.

The classes will cover:

Physical and emotional changes
Vaginal and Cesarean births
Birthing techniques and positioning
Relaxation and breathing
Pain relief options
Role of the coach
Birth plans and medical options
Unexpected outcomes
Transitioning home with baby
A tour of the hospital’s Family Beginnings Department
Other topics you would like to discuss

Class Schedule, Location, and Registration
The Tuesday Evening Class is held on four consecutive Tuesdays and begins the first Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Saturday All-Day Class is held the second Saturday of February, April, June, August, October, and December from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All classes are held in the first-floor conference room at the hospital.

The cost of the Tuesday evening classes and the Saturday class is $40.

Advance registration is requested. Contact the OB Department at 715-284-1329.

Our class sizes are small, offering the opportunity to connect with others in a relaxed setting as you learn the secrets of nurturing a healthy family.

Just need a refresher?
Parents who have already been through one or more pregnancies or births, but who are interested in a refresher class, can register to attend all or parts of these classes. Individual arrangements can also be made.

Breastfeeding Classes
Breastfeeding is not instinctive; both the mother and infant must learn to work together to have successful feedings. This class is designed for anyone who would like to breastfeed or think they may like to breastfeed, but aren’t sure they will know how.

During our single-session Saturday class, you will learn the many benefits of breastfeeding for mom, baby, and the family.

Breastfeeding has a cost savings of over $1,000 a year when compared to formula.
Breast milk provides infants with protection against illnesses, allergies, and hospitalizations.
Breast milk contains natural nutrients that assist in brain development and are more easily digested by babies.
Breastfeeding can reduce your risk of cancer and can assist you in getting back into shape faster.
Breastfeeding is simply more convenient for mothers.

Topics include: advance planning to make breastfeeding easier for you and your baby; how milk is produced; helpful positioning techniques; partner’s involvement; managing your schedule around baby’s needs; and information about choosing a breast pump.

Class Schedule, Location, and Registration
Classes are held on the second Saturday of January, March, May, July, September, and November from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the first floor conference room at the hospital. The class fee is $15. There is no charge if you are already enrolled in the current Childbirth Education Class. Advance registration is requested. Contact the OB Department at 715-284-1329.

Lactation Counseling
We have a board-certified lactation consultant on staff who is available to assist you with any breastfeeding problems or concerns at any point during or after your hospital stay.

Sibling Preparation Class
This class is designed to help you and your child prepare for the new baby by practicing sibling-related activities. The goal of the class is to help children learn to be caring, accepting, and helpful big brothers and sisters.

Children will have the chance to ask questions and share their feelings about having a new baby join their family.

The class includes a tour of the labor, delivery, and nursery area of the hospital; a video; coloring activities; and how to diaper and hold a baby doll.

Classes are held the first Tuesday in February, April, June, August, October, and December from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room at the hospital.

The class fee is $10 for one child, $15 if two children from the same family attend. Pre-registration is required.

If you would like more information, or are unable to attend the class, you may purchase a Sibling Preparation Kit in the Hospital Gift Shop for a cost of $10.

Birth Plan By Design
Having a baby is one of life’s most personal experiences and we want to make it right for you. We believe you should have options in how to deliver and care for your baby. That’s why we schedule an individual birth planning session prior to the birth of your baby.

This one-on-one time for the parents with an experienced OB nurse is an opportunity for you to discuss your special needs and requests; and for our staff to work with you in accommodating these requests.

Your birth plan requests may include a referral and additional decisions with:

an anesthetist for a one-on-one consultation of your pain management plan
a physical therapist for low-back pain issues
a respiratory therapist for tobacco cessation or sleep apnea consultation
a financial counselor for billing questions
a counselor for mood disorder/depression issues
a social worker for advance directives counseling

We will also talk with you about your expectations for delivery and prepare you for any unexpected changes such as Cesarean birth. We understand from experience that events during birthing can change unexpectedly and we want to personally prepare you for any life-changing outcome.

Pain Management
Giving birth can be a challenging and yet very fulfilling experience. Still many women fear childbirth because of the anticipation of pain. There is no denying that there is pain with childbirth. Each woman in labor senses different levels and patterns of pain.

Having a labor-support person with you will bring you great comfort. In addition to your support person, we will provide you with a Registered Nurse who will be with you one-on-one during your labor. Studies have shown that having a continuous labor support person can:

Shorten your duration of labor
Increase your chances for a vaginal birth
Decrease the amount of Pitocin needed
Decrease the use of epidural and narcotic analgesia

There are several tools and techniques that you may find helpful while you are in labor. We will work with you to find the right relaxation technique to meet your needs. These include:

Music
Imagery/Focusing
Massage
Hot/Cold compress
Breathing techniques
Rhythmic motions
Rocking chairs
Birthing stool
Labor ball
Shower
Jacuzzi
Aromatherapy/Herbals

Still there may be times when you desire or need pain medication. This medication is often a narcotic administered intravenously (IV). These narcotics do not completely relieve the pain, but ease it enough so that you can relax and feel like you can handle the contractions once again. Pain medications should be used together with other comfort measures for maximum effect.

If pain becomes so severe that these measures aren’t enough, then intrathecal narcotics or an epidural catheter may be used to provide pain relief. These methods of pain relief involve an injection of pain medication near the spinal column where the transmission of pain signals to the brain are blocked. The decision to use an intrathecal narcotic or epidural will be made by you, your nurse, nurse anesthetist, and physician.

The pain management philosophy shared by our staff is to provide you with the comfort you need during childbirth. In doing this, we consider all options available to you for your particular situation, and we work together to choose the option with the least risk for both you and your baby.

Non-Stress Test
During your pregnancy your healthcare provider may recommend that you have your baby’s heart rate and/or your contractions monitored. This is called a non-stress test. This test can help your provider determine if you need further testing, special care or whether you will need to have your baby born sooner than planned.

Ultrasound Exam
During your pregnancy, your health-care provider may recommend that you have an advanced ultrasound. A technologist will examine your baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, body movements, the amount of amniotic fluid, and breathing movements. This testing can help your provider determine if you need further testing, special care, or whether you will need to have your baby born sooner than planned.

Amniocentesis
On occasion, your health-care provider may need to perform an amniocentesis. This involves taking small amounts of fluid from your abdomen for testing. This procedure is done in the hospital on an outpatient basis and under ultrasound guidance.

External Fetal Version
(turning of a baby in breech position by a physician)
During your pregnancy, your baby may be positioned in a way that would make it difficult for you to deliver vaginally. If your baby is in the breech position during the latter part of pregnancy, your physician may ask you to consider this procedure. The procedure is done by two physicians under ultrasound guidance with fetal monitoring. The physicians safely turn your baby around while it is still inside you. If it is successful, your baby will be positioned correctly head down and you can move forward with a vaginal birth. Otherwise, a Cesarean birth is the safest choice for delivery.

Parenting Resources
Whether this is your first or last pregnancy, parenting is a difficult job that can be very rewarding, yet very challenging at times. We have access to many videos and teaching materials on parenting from which you can learn. There are several classes offered in our area by the University of Wisconsin Extension office and area school districts. Please ask us for assistance in finding the best resources for you. For more information, contact the OB Department at 715-284-1329.

New Mother’s Helper Support Service
If you are a resident of Jackson County, you have access to the New Mother’s Helper Support Service. This service offers trained volunteers to help with errands, meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, babysitting for short time periods, and transportation to appointments. For more information, contact Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers at 715-284-7058 and ask about the New Mother’s Helper Support Service.

Adoption Counseling
If you are unsure if you wish to parent your baby, we have counselors who can meet with you confidentially one-on-one, to help you work through this difficult process. Our counselors have been trained to help you work through the tough questions you need to ask yourself when making the decision to parent or not.

We have resources, educational materials and can connect you with other people who have experienced both being adopted and have chosen to place their child up for adoption. For more information, contact the OB Department at 715-284-1329.

Infant CPR Review
We are available to review the fundamentals of infant CPR and choking issues with you. We have a DVD that runs you through infant and child CPR with practicing using a teddy bear doll.

If you wish to receive a certification in CPR, the hospital regularly offers the American Heart Association Heart-Saver CPR Classes for adult, child, and infant CPR and choking issues. For more information on class schedule and costs, please contact the hospital’s Education Coordinator at 715-284-1312.

Car Seat Inspections
Did you know that nearly 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly? There are many car seats available to purchase and many different vehicles to place them in. We have a certified car seat technician available to answer any questions you may have about purchasing a car seat and is available to inspect and help you install your car seat according to Department of Transportation standards. We also have a wide variety of educational materials available to you for general questions on traveling with children.

Babysitting Clinic
Your child can learn leadership and babysitting skills at this summertime workshop offered by the hospital and Partners of Black River Memorial Hospital. These popular classes are for boys and girls who have completed the sixth grade. The class is intended to help prepare the children for the world of babysitting. For more information on class schedule, contact Public Relations at 715-284-1337.

Resources
www.maternitywise.org
www.lamazevideo.com
www.breastfeeding.com
www.lalecheleague.org
www.medela.com
www.babycenter.com
www.parentsplace.com
www.aap.org
www.webmd.org
www.parentsguidecordblood.com
www.dna-paternity-testing-info.com
www.nhtsa.gov
www.safekids.org
www.sharewi.org
www.greatrivers211.org