Oh, Baby! Prenatal and Infant Care Classes

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Oh, Baby! offers a variety of comprehensive prenatal and infant care educational classes to help expectant and new parents and their babies get off to a great start. Support and expertise do not end at the last class session. The staff in the Sarah Bush Lincoln Women and Children's Center are happy to answer your questions. To assist you after your baby arrives, our lactation consultant is on staff to help you make a smooth transition to breastfeeding. For more information contact Allison Masse, RN, IBCLC, ICCE, at [email protected] or call 217-258-2229.

Oh, Baby! EXPRESS and the Two-Week Comprehensive Oh, Baby! Class Session include:

Tour of the Women and Children's Center
Signs and stages of labor
Pain relief options for labor and beyond
Obstetrics procedures
Active birthing techniques and positions to help progress labor
Postpartum: So You've Had the Baby! What are You Going to do Now?

...and so much more!

Why should I take Oh, Baby! classes?

Lots of reasons!

Oh, Baby! Is especially designed for our expectant mothers and their birth partners. It includes a lot more than simple breathing and relaxation techniques. You'll learn about birthing choices that are offered at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Women and Children's Center and you'll learn about issues you haven't even thought of that will be very important to you during labor and delivery. And your birth partner will learn how to help you throughout your birth experience.

It is the expectation of Sarah Bush's Women and Children's Center's physicians and nursing staff that all first-time mothers attend Oh, Baby! classes with their birth partners. It makes your job so much easier! We also strongly encourage those who have delivered before to attend the classes as a review. The Women and Children's Center really cares about you, your baby and your birth experience. We deliver families daily, and each one is so very special. And that's why we've designed this very unique program.

Here are a few of the benefits you will receive when you attend Oh, Baby!

learn how to make your pregnancy more comfortable
get answers and information about common questions and concerns
learn about preterm labor and how to prevent a premature birth
learn about the importance of checking in with your unborn baby every day
receive information about your childbirth choices, including medications for labor pain
learn what you can expect during labor and delivery
learn how to tell if you are in labor
be informed about danger signs during pregnancy
learn how to keep yourself and your unborn baby safe
learn how your new baby will effect your life
receive information about procedures performed in the Women and Children's Center to keep your baby healthy
receive information about infant feeding options - breastfeeding and bottle feeding (You'll also learn why breast milk is the best nutrition on the planet for your baby and how to make it work for you if you choose.)
learn how to protect and care for your baby

Which Oh, Baby! classes should I take?

Two-Week Comprehensive Prepared Childbirth Sessions

Topics Include:

Pregnancy Discomforts and Danger Signs
How to Know When You’re REALLY In Labor
Stages of Labor
Pain Management During Labor
Maximizing Your Labor Progress
Common Medical Procedures in Labor and Delivery
Induced and Augmented Labors
Cesarean Delivery
Guided Tour of the Women and Children’s Center (with one of our very own Labor Nurses!)
Numerous Birth Videos

PLUS focused teaching on the following topics:

Breathing and Relaxation During Labor
Birth Partner’s Role in Labor
Understanding Postpartum
A First Look at Breastfeeding

This course is ideal for those interested in “Natural Childbirth” and “Active Labor” methods. *bring a pillow and blanket to Week Two

Cost: $30 per couple
If you qualify for WIC or the Illinois Medical Card: $15 • SBL Employees: $15

2024 - 6 to 9 pm
August 14 & 21
October 17 & 23
December 11 & 18

Oh, Baby! EXPRESS

Topics Include:

Pregnancy Discomforts and Danger Signs
How to Know When You’re REALLY In Labor
Stages of Labor
Pain Management During Labor
Maximizing Your Labor Progress
Common Medical Procedures in Labor and Delivery
Induced and Augmented Labors
Cesarean Delivery
Guided Tour of the Women and Children’s Center (with one of our very own Labor Nurses!)
Numerous Birth Videos

Express includes all the topics above in a fast paced Saturday morning session. This course is great for those whose schedules can’t accommodate the Two Week Comprehensive, but still want to learn the essentials for delivery at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Oh Baby! Express also makes a great refresher if this isn’t your first baby!

Cost: $30 per couple
If you qualify for WIC or the Illinois Medical Card: $15 • SBL Employees: $15

2024 - 9 am to 1 pm
March 16
April 13
May 11
June 1
July 20
August 10
September 7
October 12

Bootie Kamp Infant Care Seminar

Great for all new parents and grandparents!
Class content includes:

How to Care for Your Newborn
Newborn Bath
Circumcision and Cord Stump Care
SIDS Prevention
Common Newborn Appearances (molding, milia, rash, etc)
Tips for Calming a Fussy Baby
What You Really Need vs. Products You Can Live Without

Safe and Snug Car Seat Class - Now included in Bootie Kamp seminar!

We’re thrilled to bring you this service from the Mattoon Police Department. Car seat safety information will be provided by Mattoon police officers who are also certified car seat technicians. A discussion and question and answer period will be included. Bring your car seat installed in your vehicle (if possible) and the car seat techs will assess it, insuring that it is properly installed, and that it is the right seat for your baby. In the State of Illinois, children must be properly restrained in an appropriate car seat upon leaving the hospital and at any other time thereafter. Anyone who will be transporting your child is encouraged to attend. More than one car seat can be checked per family. The best time to attend is prior to 36 weeks of pregnancy, but all parents are also welcome.

Cost: Free of charge

2024 - 6 to 8:30 pm
August 1
October 3
December 12

Feed Me, I'm Yours Breastfeeding Seminar

A must if you plan to breastfeed! Whether this is your first baby or you just didn’t have a great breastfeeding experience before, this class will help you be prepared for a successful breastfeeding journey!
Class content includes:

Breastfeeding Basics – How To Know You’re Doing It Right!
Avoiding Common Breastfeeding Pitfalls
How To Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Pumping – Which Pumps Are Best, Going Back to Work, Storing Milk
What You Really Need vs. Products You Can Live Without
The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Cost: Free of charge

2024 - 6 to 8:30 pm
April 2
May 14
June 4
July 9
August 6
September 3
October 1
December 17

Infant Child CPR

This course teaches the standards in infant child CPR from the American Heart Association and is taught by a certified CPR instructor. This course will teach parents or caregivers skills that can help save their infant or child’s life. Participants will not be certified in this course.

Cost: $5 per person

2024 - 6 to 7:30 pm
September 5
November 25

What if I cannot afford the fee?

We will not turn away expectant parents who plan to deliver their baby at Sarah Bush Lincoln due to an inability to pay the class fee. For more information, or to discuss payment arrangements, please contact the Office of Perinatal Education at the phone number above.