Ascension Wisconsin strives to reach and support all mothers of all backgrounds through perinatal education. The Perinatal Education Department provides several classes centered around pregnancy including, labor and delivery, newborn care and development, breastfeeding and infant CPR.
“As part of our mission statement, we want to provide compassionate healthcare for all, and that includes educating our expectant mothers,” said Jennifer Warrender, an instructor in the Perinatal Education Department for Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospitals. “Our department is there to support mothers and their families throughout the time before birth to give information, education, moral support, to help them have the most informed birth experience they can have.”
The curriculum for perinatal education is integrated and available at most Ascension Wisconsin Hospital sites with the goal of reaching as many pregnant women as possible in different areas that are closer to where they live. Virtual class options are also available, which allows mothers on bedrest to participate as well.
Here is what each course offers:
- Childbirth Education:
- Attendees and their support person learn about the mother’s health, how to take care of the expecting mother, the stages of labor and comfort measures, as well as procedures of delivery and some newborn care.
- Breastfeeding:
- Expecting mothers and their partner can learn helpful breastfeeding techniques and positions, how to know the baby is getting enough to eat, as well as how to choose a breast pump, store milk and introduce bottles.
- Infant CPR:
- Anyone attending this course is not for certification, but education. Knowing when CPR is needed, and how to perform it on an infant, can make a difference in an emergency situation.
- Newborn care and Infant Development:
- This course teaches swaddling as well as what to expect within the first six months of a child’s life to help ease parents’ minds.
- This course has also been developed for adoptive parents.
“I am a first time parent and a resident physician,” Rebecca Cathey, Childbirth Education class attendee said. “I am so busy and spend so much time taking care of others, it’s nice to have someone trustworthy to educate me and help guide me through my pregnancy.”
Every course is offered at a low fee, with scholarship options in place if payment is challenging for the participants.
