Birthing Classes and Tours

Classes to Help You Prepare

Whether you're a first timer or an experienced parent, Saint Mary's offers a variety of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting classes to prepare you for the arrival of your new baby.

Classes offered include:

Birthing Center Tour

Comprehensive Childbirth Education

Online Childbirth Education

Sibling Preparation

Basic Breastfeeding

Infant and Child CPR

Breastfeeding Support Services Outpatient Lactation Clinic

There's no better time than now to prepare for your new arrival.
If you're interested in signing up for a class, call the Centralized Scheduling office at 616-685-4000 between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday or between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday. If you have questions, please call Becky in the Family Education Office at 616-685-6661 or email nautab@trinity-health.org.

Most classes are held at Saint Mary's Health Care in the Wege Building at 300 Lafayette. Convenient, free, covered and lighted parking is located in the Wege Center parking lot. Classes are located on the first floor (take the north, right side elevator down to floor one). For the Tuesday evening 6 p.m. tours, please meet on the 9th floor of the main hospital, in The Birthing Center. Other classes as noted below are held at Saint Mary's Southwest, 2373 64th Street SW, Byron Center.

CLICK HERE to view the entire 2013 schedule as a printable document.

Birthing Center Tour
We welcome you to take a tour of our Birthing Center. Come meet our staff, learn about our programs and services, visit the nursery, tour a private birthing room, and learn about our neonatal unit.
When: Tours are offered every Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Where: Please meet on the 9th floor of the main hospital  Map
Cost: No Cost
Please Note: Comprehensive Childbirth and Sibling Classes include a tour during scheduled class times.

Comprehensive Childbirth Education
Comprehensive Childbirth Education is offered in a four week series or a full one day class on Saturday. This class will incorporate information on the last trimester, signs of labor and when to call your physician or midwife, labor and delivery, comfort measures and positions, breathing and relaxation techniques, and new parent information. This class includes a tour of our Birthing Center.
Cost: $80.00*

Saturday Comprehensive Childbirth Education Classes, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saint Mary's Health Care Downtown  Map
Location: Wege Building, Room 1-2-3

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Four Week Monday Night Comprehensive Childbirth Education Classes, 7–9 p.m.
Saint Mary's Health Care Downtown  Map
Location: Wege Building, Rooms 1-2-3 or 7 & 9 

Four Week Tuesday Night Comprehensive Childbirth Education Classes, 7–9 p.m.
Southwest Campus, 2373 64th Street SW, Byron Center  Map
Location: Grand Conference Room

2013 Schedule:

• March 5, 12, 19, 26
• May 7, 14, 21, 28
• July 9, 16, 23, 30
• September 3, 10, 17, 24
• November 5, 12, 19, 26

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Online Childbirth Education
Saint Mary's Health Care is pleased to offer an Online Childbirth Education class. The program is an alternative for those parents who cannot attend conventional childbirth classes due to bed rest, scheduling conflicts or time constraints. The online class is an interactive, web-based program that includes animated illustrations and videos. It can be viewed on a PC or a Mac. (High speed internet is advised, dial-up will work; however, it will take longer to download). Once you have registered for the class, you will be contacted within the next two business days to complete the registration and obtain the access code needed for the online class. The access code provided will be good for six weeks starting from the time you first log on.

Cost: $80.00

Please click on the Register link below to sign up for the class.

If you have questions, please call Becky in the Family Education Office at 616-685-6661 or email nautab@trinity-health.org.

Learn more with an online demo

Log-in

Register

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Sibling Preparation
This class introduces the three to nine year-old to the changes that will occur with the addition of a new baby to the family. A parent is also required to attend. Please have each child bring a doll or stuffed animal to practice diapering and holding baby.
A tour of the birthing center is included in the class.
Cost: $15.00

Sibling Preparation on Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Saint Mary's Health Care Downtown  Map
Location: Wege Building, Rooms 1-2-3 or 7 & 9

2013 Schedule:

• December 11, 2012 (Wege 1-2-3)
• February 5, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)
• April 9, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)
• June 11, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)
• August 6, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)
• October 8, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)
• December 10, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)

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Basic Breastfeeding**
Instructor will guide parents-to-be on why to breastfeed, advantages of breastfeeding, positioning of mom and baby, and how to tell your baby is getting enough to eat. Please bring a doll to practice correct positioning of baby. Class offers suggestions on the pumping and storage of breast milk, choosing equipment and practical advice on retuning to the workplace.
Cost: $15.00 per person

Basic Breastfeeding on Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m.
Saint Mary's Health Care Downtown  Map
Location: Wege Building, Rooms 1-2-3 or 7 & 9

2013 Schedule:

• January 15, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)
• March 5, 2013 (Wege 7 & 9)
• May 14, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)
• July 16, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)
• September 17, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)
• November 12, 2013 (Wege 1-2-3)

Basic Breastfeeding on Thursdays, 7–9 p.m.
Southwest Campus, 2373 64th Street SW, Byron Center  Map
Location: Red-Seater Room, unless otherwise noted

2013 Schedule:

• December 13, 2012 (Grand Conference Room)
• February 21, 2013
• April 11, 2013
• June 13, 2013
• August 15, 2013
• October 17, 2013
• December 12, 2013

** Breastfeeding Support Group available.
Mondays, 12:30–2 p.m. (Wege Building, Room 11) 
Fridays, 3–4:30 p.m. (Wege Building, Room 11 or 14 – sign will direct to room)

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Infant & Child CPR
This course is for parents and grandparents. Course includes discussion and demonstration of infant and child CPR, management of the choking infant & child, rescue breathing, and hands-on practice. We follow the American Heart "pediatric chain of survival," including injury prevention tips. This is not a certification class.
Cost: $15.00 per person

Infant & Child CPR Class
Saint Mary's Health Care Downtown  Map
Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m.
Location: Wege Building, Room 7 & 9

2013 Schedule:

• February 19, 2013
• April 16, 2013
• May 14, 2013
• August 6, 2013
• October 15, 2013
• November 5, 2013

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Breastfeeding Support Services Outpatient Lactation Clinic
Women who require follow-up breastfeeding interventions may schedule an outpatient visit with the lactation consultant. These appointments may be made based on a physician or self-referral. To register for an appointment, please call 616-685-4000.

* Medicaid approved classes.

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