Prenatal Classes and Childbirth Education
Preparing you for the most important moment of your life
At Ochsner LSU Health a variety of prenatal classes are available. These classes cover topics such as:
- the labor and delivery experience
- vaginal delivery versus Cesarean Section delivery
- epidurals
- postpartum care
- newborn care
- car seat safety
- breastfeeding
- infant and child CPR
Classes are taught by our maternity nurses and our breastfeeding class is led by certified lactation consultants.
Class Schedule
We offer six courses to help you prepare to care for your new baby. There is no cost associated with the classes, though registration is required. Please email us to register for a course or to contact us for more information.
*Please note that the class schedule for Monroe patients may vary. See details below in the location section.
Prepared Childbirth (Part I & II) - 1st and 2nd Monday of the month
In these classes, you will learn about general prenatal health, aches and ailments of pregnancy, when to go to the hospital, warning signs, what to expect during the labor process, what to bring to the hospital, choices of pain relief methods in labor, delivery options and interventions, skin-to-skin contact and postdelivery care for mother and baby, including rooming-in. At the end of each class, we offer a tour of the Labor Unit and Nursery. One support person is welcome to attend.
Birth Boot Camp: Preparing Your Body for Baby - 2nd Thursday of the month
The joy and excitement of a new baby also brings many months of constant body changes for mom. How do you maintain a busy life and adjust to all these changes? This class will look at mom's body changes before and after delivery and provide solutions for the challenges that come with each phase. Topics discussed will include:
- Safe exercise before and after delivery
- Modifications for activities of daily living and sleep
- Preparing your pelvic floor muscles for before and after delivery
- When to seek further help
Baby Safety - 2nd Tuesday of the month
This class will cover car seat safety including:
- understanding car seat options
- belt placement
- LATCH system vs. seat belt: pros and cons
- What is a tether?
- car seat add-ons: what's safe and not safe to use
Also included are safe sleep and tummy to play practices for babies as well as other general safety practices.
Feeding Your Baby - 1st Thursday of the month
This class will cover the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, how to position and attach your baby for comfortable breastfeeding, how to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat, when to call the doctor or lactation consultant, using a breast pump, and returning ot work or school. One support person is encouraged to attend.
Infant/ Child CPR - 3rd Thursday of the month
This 2 hour course on CPR is provided through the American Heart Association. The class teaches the basics for child and infant CPR, what to do for child and infant choking and how to call for help.
Interested in a class?
To sign up for one of our prenatal and childbirth education classes, send us an email to register.
- Prenatal Classes
- EmPOWERing Growing Girls
Online Resources
Let Ochsner LSU Health provide you with the information and care you need as you prepare for the joy of bringing a new life into the world. Learn the A’s to Z’s of your pregnancy. Click here to download the A to Z Guide to Pregnancy.
Locations Where Childbirth Classes are Offered
All classes in Shreveport will take place Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center. Classes are held in the Community Center, which is located just off the right of the main entrance to the Women's and Children's center. Parking is available in the lot on the corner of St. Mary Place and Warrington Drive.
Classes for Monroe Medical Center patients will be held virtually, and in accordance with the Ochsner Baptist schedule. Schedule and registration information can be found here.
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