Obstetrics and Gynecology: Expectant Parent Resources

Expectant Parent Resources

Mercy offers expectant parents tours of the Labor and Delivery and Mother-Baby Units as well as a variety of childbirth and infant care classes.

Please call 410-332-9604 to register for a class or tour, or for more information.

Classes have a minimum and maximum attendance requirement. If the minimum attendance is not reached, the class will not take place. Payment is due prior to the start of class and is payable by credit card or check. Once payment is received, registrants will receive confirmation by mail.

Tours

It is recommended that you schedule a tour of the Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby Units to get to know us a little better. Group tours and information-sharing sessions are available on selected days of the week. We ask that you not bring children on these group tours.

Cost: No cost for tours.
Length of Tour: Approximately 45 minutes. Given every Wednesday at 6:00 pm and once a month on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Early Pregnancy

Early pregnancy class ideally suited for pregnant moms between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Focusing on nutrition, comfort measures and exercise in pregnancy, pregnancy and birth choices, and cesarean prevention.

Cost: $25.00
Length of Class: 3 hours

Childbirth Education

Provides preparation for informed childbirth with a focus on techniques for relaxation, visualization and comfort/coping measures. These series of classes cover:

Cultural influences on birth
Communication and decision making skills
Nutrition and exercise
Prenatal care
Physiology of birth
Hospital procedures and birth choices
Medication and pain relief options
Breathing and coping techniques
Complications and unexpected outcomes
Postpartum and basic newborn care

Also includes an opportunity for a tour of the Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby facilities at Mercy Medical Center and a basic breastfeeding course.

Cost: $115.00
Length of Class: 4-week class, once a week, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm OR condensed weekend class, Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Adolescent-focused Childbirth Education

Provides a peer group of young, expecting parents with childbirth education as well as a focus on early parenting and the specific challenges faced by young parents.

Cost: $115.00
Length of Class: 3-hour sessions for 4 weeks

Infant Care

Focuses on the "fourth trimester," the first three months of a baby's life. The course will focus on newborn care, including newborn procedures, feeding, sleeping, infant communication, diapering and dressing. It will include self-care techniques for parents to help with early parenting.

Cost: $25.00
Length of Class: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Breastfeeding

An in-depth course on breastfeeding, offered by one of our lactation consultants. This class will focus on the benefits of and barriers to successful breastfeeding. Information on pumping and other practical measures will be covered.

Cost: $25.00
Length of Class: Offered twice each month. Once on a Thursday from 7:00 - 9:30 pm or once on a Saturday from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm.