Birthing Center Classes

If this is your first baby or even if not, you probably have lots of questions and that is normal. We are here to help you. Thompson Health offers a wide variety of online classes to prepare and educate expectant mothers, first-time mothers and family members. We hope that our classes will help you during this exciting time in your family’s life.

You do not need to deliver your baby at F.F. Thompson Hospital in order to participate in these classes.

For more information, pricing, or to sign up for the classes below, please call 585-396-6497.

 

Understanding Birth

Take a class at your own time and pace! This interactive online course covers essential information on labor and more and highlights ways partners can help. You’ll also get a sense of what labor is really like as you watch several birth stories. You’ll even have an opportunity to create your own birth plan!  Allow 6-8 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Pregnancy
  • Labor
  • Birth Stories
  • Comfort Techniques
  • Medical Procedures
  • Cesarean Birth
  • Newborns
  • Postpartum

Includes access in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German,  Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese.

 

Understanding Cesarean Birth

This interactive online course covers essential information about preparing for, having, and recovering from cesarean surgery, and it highlights ways partners can help throughout the process. You’ll also learn what steps you can take to make your planned cesarean birth a family-centered experience, including an opportunity to create your own cesarean birth plan. Allow 2 to 3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Cesarean Overview
  • Signs of Labor
  • Preparing for Surgery
  • Anesthesia
  • Surgical Procedure
  • Recovery in the Hospital
  • Recovery at Home

 

Understanding Multiples

Expecting twins or more? Take an interactive online class made just for you! This class covers everything you need to know about your unique pregnancy, including what to expect from a vaginal or cesarean birth, breastfeeding more than one baby, and life at home with multiples. Woven throughout the eClass are fun activities to help you learn and engaging video clips that share the real stories of families with multiples. Allow 3 to 5 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Pregnancy
  • Labor & Delivery
  • Breastfeeding
  • Postpartum Recovery
  • First Weeks at Home

 

Understanding Pregnancy

This interactive online class covers essential information on your baby’s development, helpful tips for a healthy pregnancy, and includes partner tips throughout.  You’ll see how your baby develops with 3D animation and have access to helpful trackers and checklists that help you stay organized and healthy. Allow 2-3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Fetal Development
  • Medical Care
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Discomforts
  • Hazards
  • Emotions

 

Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques

Planning a birth with few to no medical interventions? Learn how at your own time and pace! This interactive online course builds on what you have already learned in a standard childbirth preparation class. You will learn more about natural childbirth, comfort techniques, and how to write a natural birth plan. By watching several birth stories, you will also get a sense of what natural birth is like. Allow 3-4 hours to complete.

 eClass chapters:

  • Introduction to Natural Childbirth Techniques
  • Pain in Childbirth
  • Planning for Your Birth
  • Relaxation
  • Mindfulness Practices
  • Coping Techniques
  • Personal Stories of Natural Childbirth

Includes access in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese with accessibility features.

 

 

 

Understanding Your Newborn

This interactive online course covers essential information for the first six weeks and beyond, including clear video examples of bathing, feeding and diapering, and lets you know when to call the doctor.  You will also stay organized with a variety of helpful checklists and trackers!  Allow 2-3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Newborn Traits
  • Newborn Behaviors
  • Crying and Comforting
  • Feeding
  • Diapering
  • Bathing, Nail Care & Dressing
  • Newborn Health
  • Newborn Safety

 

Understanding Breastfeeding

This interactive online course covers the essentials of breastfeeding, including clear animation and plenty of video examples. It lets you know when to call for help and includes partner tips throughout. You will also have the opportunity to track feedings with an easy-to-use tracker!  Allow 2-3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • How Breastfeeding Works
  • How to Breastfeed
  • When to Feed Your Baby
  • Getting Enough Milk
  • Breast Care
  • Breastfeeding Lifestyle

We also offer a Breastfeeding Zoom class with a certified lactation consultant the 1st Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m.

 

Understanding Postpartum Health and Baby Care

This interactive online course covers essential information for the first two weeks after birth, including taking care of yourself, caring for your newborn, and feeding your baby. It also highlights important warning signs so you know when to call for help. Allow about 2 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Postpartum Health
  • Baby Care
  • Breastfeeding

 

Understanding Infant and Child Safety

Statistics that show infants and children are most often injured in homes and cars. This can be scary for any new parent. Do you know all the ways you can reduce your child’s risk of being hurt from a preventable accident? Learn life-saving information by taking this online safety class!

eClass chapters:

  • Car Safety
  • Safe Baby Care
  • Safety Products
  • Home Safety
  • Poisons

 

Understanding Fatherhood

With a positive focus on the importance of expectant dads being involved right from the start, you will learn how to support your partner through pregnancy and birth, as well as survival tips for those first few sleep-deprived months with a newborn. Integrated throughout the class are fun activities and video clips that share the relatable stories of real dads and advice from a fatherhood expert. Allow about 3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • The Importance of Fathers
  • The Pregnant Dad: Involved From the Start
  • Labor and Delivery: A Dad is Born
  • Baby Care: Dad in Action
  • The Postpartum Dad: Emotions & Your Relationship
  • Parenting: A Dad's Life

 

Understanding Sibling Preparation

Growing your family? Help your child become a super sibling! This online sibling preparation class teaches you how to support your child (or children) as they grow into their roles of big brother or sister. You will learn how to answer tough questions, ways to help your child feel involved, how to reduce jealousy, and more. Plus, to encourage your sibling-to-be, there are fun lessons to do together, complete with kid-friendly video clips, coloring pages, and activities (recommended for ages 3-7). The class takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • We are Having a Baby! (Introduction)

  • Where do Babies Come From? (How to Answer Tough Questions)

  • What do Babies Eat? (Talking to Your Child About Breastfeeding)

  • Meeting the Baby (How to Introduce Your Older Child to the Newborn)

  • Bringing Baby Home (Handling Challenging Emotions)

  • Being a Super Sibling (How to Involve Your Child)

  • Super Sibling Fun! (Activities to do With Your Child)

 

Understanding Grandparenting

Expecting a grandchild? This class is for you! While birth and babies haven’t changed, what we know about them has. Now you can prepare yourself for your new role from the comfort of home. This interactive online class covers evidence-based changes in birth, breastfeeding, baby care, and infant safety, and it provides ways for new grandparents to offer support and assistance to the new family. Get ready to put the GRAND in grandparenting! The class takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

eClass chapters:

  • Birth & New Parent Care
  • What's New in Baby Care
  • Health & Safety
  • Breastfeeding
  • Play & Milestones
  • Your Support Role

 

 

 

Providers Who Care For...

Physicians, midwives who deliver babies and physicians who care for newborns at FF Thompson Hospital.
Click to view and print:

"Providers Who Care For" brochure