Childbirth Education Classes
Northfield Hospital & Clinics offers a variety of parenting classes.
To sign up for classes: Please fill out the form below for the classes you are interested in attending. Email your completed registration form to babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org for class availability and payment information. Your spot in the class(es) is not guaranteed until payment is received and you have been sent a confirmation and receipt for payment. Registration is per “couple” and is good for two people. Class sizes are kept small to ensure a quality experience for expectant mothers, their birth partners, and other class participants.
Registration Form - Expected Mother Registration Form - Caregiver
Prepared Childbirth is a labor and delivery class for expectant mothers and their birth partner. It is offered as a 4-week, 2.5-hour evening series or as a single 6-hour Saturday session. The class covers:
- Pregnancy and pre-birth
- Due dates and what they mean
- Labor and birth including: signs of labor, preterm labor, induction, stages of labor, positioning
- Hands-on positioning practice
- Relaxation/breathing exercises
- Pain medication options
- Monitoring and other interventions – why and what to expect
- Cesarean section
- Postpartum stay & tour of Birth Center
- Community resources for new parents
| January 2-23 | July 10-31 |
| March 6-27 - FULL | September 4-25 |
| May 1-22 | November 6-27 ( first class will be on Wednesday, 11/7, due to Elections) |
| February 10 - FULL | August 18 - FULL |
| April 21 - FULL | October 13 - FULL |
| June 16 | December 15 |
Baby Basics is a 2.5-hour class for expectant parents and caregivers which covers:
- Golden Hour – Baby’s first hour outside the womb
- Fresh newborn baby characteristics
- Newborn care including: diapering, bathing, burping, tummy time, cord care, typical day, when to contact the doctor, circumcision
- Safety: home safety, SIDS prevention, Shaken Baby Syndrome, car seat safety
- CPR
- Parent resources
| February 13 | August 14 |
| April 10 | October 9 |
| June 12 | December 11 |
| January 20 | July 21 |
| March 17 | September 15 |
| May 19 | November 17 |
- Benefits of breastfeeding
- Anatomy and physiology
- Milk composition
- How to get off to a good start including: feeding cues, positioning, and latch
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Nutrition
- Breast pumping
- Support networks for breastfeeding
| January 4 | July 12 |
| February 1 | August 9 |
| March 1 | September 6 |
| April 5 | October 4 |
| May 3 | November 1 - FULL |
| June 14 | December 6 |
For more information or to register for Prepared Childbirth, Baby Basics or Breastfeeding Basics, e-mail babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org or call 507-646-1534.
Birth Planning Session
The Birth Center information and a Birth Plan form can be found HERE or obtained from your OB provider. You are encouraged to bring this form to a scheduled tour with the Birth Center staff during the last month of your pregnancy. OB Staff will answer your questions, review your Birth Plan form and identify your labor/parenting education needs. Call 507-646-1205 to schedule.
Baby Talk
Baby Talk is a free class for parents with newborns from birth to 12 weeks that provides support, information and resources related to the exciting job of parenting. Parents can have their questions answered, their babies weighed, learn about feeding, sleeping, attachment and when to call a medical provider. This program is co-sponsored by the Northfield Hospital + Clinics, Northfield Public Schools Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Rice County Public Health Nursing Service.
Baby Talk meets Mondays from 10:30 am to noon at Northfield Community Resource Center at 1651 Jefferson Parkway. Sessions are held every Monday except on public holidays and when school is closed during the regular school year. During the summer classes will continue, except for public holidays. Sibling care is available. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 507-664-3750 .
Clase Prenatal para Latinos
Educacion en espanol para el parto y lactancia materna. Llama a Rachel o Shariesse (interpretes del hospital) al 507-646-1069.