Women Infant Care Links
Prenatal Classes
Preparation for the birth of your baby should begin by taking part in the many educational classes offered for prospective parents at Women’s & Children’s Hospital, a campus of The Regional Medical Center of Acadiana. We strongly encourage parents to attend as many prenatal classes as possible. Our instructors can educate you about the birthing process and eliminate fears whether you are choosing natural childbirth or an anesthetic such as an epidural. Please call the Women’s & Children’s Resource Line at 1-877-30-CARE-1 for more information. All of our classes are free for those pre-registered to deliver at our hospital.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Registration for the expectant mother includes one guest.
Preparing for Childbirth
The focus of this class is on the first-time Mom. Topics include labor, delivery, comfort measures, partner's role and a tour of the labor and delivery suite. This class is taught in a two-hour session and is offered twice a month on Tuesday evenings. Classes fill quickly, so enroll early and ask to take a class during your seventh month of pregnancy.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Childbirth Refresher Class
This class is for expectant mothers who have previously had a baby. The class reviews labor and delivery with a brief review of comfort tools and techniques for labor. Information also will be provided on how to prepare siblings for the arrival of a new baby. A tour of the labor and delivery unit will be included in the class. Classes are offered every other month on Tuesday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Breastfeeding Class
This class gives expectant parents an overview of breastfeeding. The class covers many topics such as nursing the baby for the first time, latch-on techniques, anatomy/physiology and prevention of breastfeeding problems.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Baby Basics Class
This class prepares parents for baby's arrival. The class focus on nursery admission procedures, baby's physical needs, bathing, diapering, dressing, feeding and preparing the home for baby. The class is taught in a two-hour session and is offered twice a month on Monday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Infant Stimulation & Development
This class is for parents and other infant caregivers. This class teaches how to stimulate the infant's five senses through play activities/appropriate toys and highlights growth and development during the first year. Parents learn how to understand infant crying behavior and how to adapt to the infant's needs. The goal is to educate participants about creating a positive environment that produces a happy baby. The class is taught in a two-hour session and is offered every other month on Tuesday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Siblings Class
Children experience many feelings and concerns about a new member joining the family. This class helps the new big brother or sister prepare for the arrival of the new baby. Children will learn how to safely interact with the baby. This class is for children ages 3 to 9 anticipating a new brother or sister. The class is offered once a month on Tuesday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Family & Friends First Aid for Children
This course is open to people who want to learn first aid basics. The program teaches how to manage illness and injuries in a child for the first few minutes until professional help arrives. Child safety and injury prevention are also covered. A fun, dynamic way for families to learn first aid. The class is offered every other month on Wednesday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Family & Friends CPR
This class is open to people who want to learn CPR but do not need a course completion card for their job. The course teaches life saving skills for adult Hands-Only CPR, child CPR with breaths, adult and child AED use, infant CPR and relief of choking in an adult, child or infant. Skills are taught using the American Heart Association's practice-while-watching technique, with hands-on CPR practice time. Ideal for schools and students, new parents, grandparents, babysitters and others. The class is offered every other month on Wednesday evenings.
Register by calling 1-877-30-CARE-1 (1-877-302-2731) or online.
Lamaze or Bradley Classes
Learn the Lamaze or Bradley technique for childbirth from trained professionals. Expectant mothers can receive the names and phone numbers of these instructors by clicking on the link above. Parents are encouraged to call the instructors early since these popular classes fill up quickly. Fees are paid to the instructors as these classes are taught independently from all hospital classes.
Resources