ECHN Offers an Array of Classes for Expecting and New Moms (and Dads)

In 2010, there were more than 4.2 million births in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times for women and their partners, but at the same time it can also be quite nerve wracking for some of them.

Throughout late summer and into the fall, the Eastern Connecticut Health Network wants to make sure that future parents are ready for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, and that those processes go as smoothly as possible.

As part of the ECHN’s mission, the Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital are now offering several childbirth education programs. These classes include exercise programs for before and after pregnancy, labor and delivery classes, breastfeeding education, baby care classes, yoga programs, maternity tours of the hospital, and many others.

Betsy Crayton, who is the perinatal education coordinator at ECHN, said there are many benefits by attending these classes, which starts with alleviating the fears and tension that come with pregnancy.

“There is a lot of anxiety for new parents, and the fears lessen with more education,” Crayton said. “Future parents can become more comfortable as they get more information about labor and birth and the days after birth, by meeting some staff members, and also by getting familiar with where they’ll be delivering.”

The coordinator of these programs also said that an underlying advantage of these classes is being around other parents in the same situation.

“It is very rewarding and helpful for them to make new friends and acquaintances,” Crayton said. “They can move on in this journey together. It’s a very comforting and social thing.”

Annie LaPoint-Mills, who has been involved with Manchester Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years and is currently teaching childbirth classes there, also emphasized the importance of developing relationships with other parents.

“After the baby is delivered, parents need to have more support around them,” LaPoint-Mills said. “This is one of the most joyful experiences in someone’s life and it has stresses like any journey, but those relationships can really help out.”

LaPoint-Mills, who is a former registered nurse at Manchester Memorial Hospital, said that she has found that instructing the parents can be quite rewarding for her as well.

“I see the couples who are extremely nervous in the first week, but then I see them leave the program with confidence and the knowledge that they can do this,” LaPoint-Mills said. “We give them the skills to handle anything that comes their way, teaching them important life skills.”

As for the specifics of some of the programs, Crayton said that the “Fit for Delivery” exercise class includes low-impact aerobics, strength exercises, stretching and relaxation techniques. These exercises can help improve posture, increase energy levels, lessen pregnancy back pain, relieve common pregnancy discomforts and enhance self-esteem.

The “Fit after Delivery” exercise class is a postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include a light cardio warm-up, in addition to strengthening and toning segments. Babies from four weeks to six months are appropriate.

Then there is the labor and birth education series, which involves the stages of labor, relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures, positioning for labor, the partner’s role to help the mom throughout the whole process, cesarean birth, postpartum adjustment, breastfeeding and newborn care. ECHN recommends those classes be completed approximately two to six weeks before the due date.

In addition, Crayton said that the new “Baby Itsy Bitsy Yoga” class is a mom and baby exercise class, which is quite fun and great for bonding.

“It is a very relaxing experience for both the mother and baby,” Crayton said. “They can be as young as three weeks old until they’re crawling. Parents learn breathing techniques, and the class helps the baby stay calm. It’s a very nurturing program.”

These pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum classes at ECHN require a fee, which varies from class to class.

Crayton said that some of the classes fill up quickly, so it is important to sign up as soon as possible at http://echn.org/Calendar.aspx, or at http://echn.org/Calendar.aspx?c=1&l=ALL. Interested participants can also call Perinatal Education at 860-647-4790.

For more information about the upcoming programs, log on to ECHN's Web site.