Classes and Events
Prenatal and Perinatal Classes
Congratulations on welcoming a new life into the world! This is a special time for you and your family.
UPMC Mercy celebrates this occasion with you, and invites you and your family to enroll in one or more of our educational programs. We’ve designed these classes to help you prepare for your new arrival.
Childbirth Class Descriptions
Growing Together (Mid-Pregnancy) Class
Growing Together is a three-hour class designed for women in the second trimester — in their fourth, fifth, or sixth month of pregnancy. Topics covered in this course include physical and emotional changes, fetal growth and development in the second trimester, prenatal testing, and preparing for your baby’s arrival. Exercises that may reduce some of the discomforts of pregnancy also are introduced during class.
Lamaze® Prepared Childbirth Class
Information covered in the Lamaze® Prepared Childbirth Class includes the signs of labor and a detailed description of the labor and birthing process. Other topics include:
- relaxation techniques
- comfort measures
- Lamaze® breathing
- the risks and benefits of medications and anesthesia
- the role of the labor coach and support person
A tour of the UPMC Mercy Family Maternity Center (including labor and delivery suites) will be provided. This class is one evening a week for four weeks, or a one-weekend program. It is recommended that participants complete this course at least four weeks before their due date.
Lamaze® Refresher Class
The Lamaze® Refresher Class is a three-hour program designed for parents who have attended a prepared childbirth series with a previous pregnancy. Participants review:
- the labor and birth process
- relaxation and breathing techniques
- comfort measures
- the differences between first and subsequent birth experiences
- updates in childbirth practices
Newborn Preparation Class Descriptions
Sibling Class
The Sibling Class is a 90-minute program for children ages 3 to 10 years. This interactive class is designed to ease the transition of becoming a big brother or sister. Each child will have the opportunity to diaper a doll and visit the newborn nursery. Parents will receive tips to assist their child during this adjustment period. Each child registered for this class should bring a doll or stuffed animal large enough to diaper.
Transition to Parenthood Class
The Transition to Parenthood Class is a three-hour course. Participants will learn about:
- physical and emotional adjustments of the postpartum period
- changing roles
- realistic expectations
- parenting skills
- infant care, feeding, and safety
- when to call the doctor
- preparing for the newborn
- physical and developmental milestones
Breastfeeding Class
The Breastfeeding Class is a 2 1/2 –hour course designed to provide expectant families a thorough understanding of breastfeeding. All of our breastfeeding instructors are board-certified lactation consultants. Participants will learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and practical information about the various techniques. The emphasis of this class is on making breastfeeding a satisfying and rewarding experience for mother and baby.
Infant/Child CPR Class
Based on the American Heart Association guidelines, the Infant/Child CPR Class is a three-hour class designed to teach the process and procedures of CPR for infants and children, as well as what to do if an infant or child is choking. This is not a certification course. All participants receive cards to indicate successful completion of the course.
CM-BBT Natural Family Planning Class
CM-BBT, or the Cervical Mucus-Basal Body Temperature Method, is a scientifically based, medical model for natural family planning. During this three-hour session, participants learn how to observe, chart, and interpret the changes that occur in cervical mucus and the body’s resting temperature. These changes allow a couple to determine the fertile and non-fertile time of the woman’s menstrual cycle, enabling the couple to make informed decisions about intercourse as the cycle progresses. The CM-BBT Method is 97 percent effective when used consistently and according to the given guidelines.
All of our classes tend to fill quickly. We recommend that you schedule your classes as soon as your pregnancy has been confirmed by your physician, or as soon as your adoption date has been finalized.
To register for classes or obtain additional information, please call UPMC Physician Referral at 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). If we are unavailable to take your call, please leave your name, phone number, and a time when you can be reached. We will call you back as soon as possible.
Some insurance providers may reimburse you for the cost of certain classes. Please check with your insurance provider to see which courses may be eligible for reimbursement. Please bring any insurance reimbursement forms with you to class.
We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel classes due to inclement weather or if the minimum enrollment is not met. You may reschedule classes up to one month in advance at no additional charge, subject to availability. If you need to cancel or to reschedule class within one month of the start date, a new class fee will be charged. There are no refunds.
Partners are welcome and are encouraged to attend all classes. Children are not permitted unless otherwise noted. Permission slips must be completed and signed by your physician or midwife to take childbirth classes.
For additional information, please call UPMC Physician Referral at 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Lamaze® is a registered trademark of Lamaze International, Inc.