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Holy Spirit First Hospital in Area to Offer Online Childbirth Programs
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
CAMP HILL – Holy Spirit Hospital is the first hospital in the greater Harrisburg area to offer an online childbirth education course to expectant parents. They will begin the program in June.
“We are excited to be able to offer this unique e-learning course,” says Charlotte Wool, MSN, maternal/child education coordinator. “There is nothing that can take the place of a live classroom experience, because our live courses are all fun, upbeat, and offer a personal touch with the educator and other couples who are in similar situations. There is a great support network with the live experience. However, some expectant couples may find it hard to fit in a series of classes,” she says. “Online learning is convenient for those who may have scheduling conflicts or if the mom-to-be is on bed rest,” she continues.
Holy Spirit Hospital will offer the e-learning course to pregnant women regardless of where they are planning to give birth. “While we would love to have all of the moms have their babies at Holy Spirit Hospital, we realize that may not be an option for them.”
The e-learning course provides important information about preparing for labor and delivery, such asmedication options, coping strategies, basic infant safety and postpartum issues. It is a web-based course that will help prepare the expectant parents for delivery in the comfort of their home at any time of the day or night. The course includes videos, audios, valuable information and fun quizzes. Online learners qualify for a free class called Monday night “LIVE” where they can tour The Birthplace and talk face-to-face with a childbirth educator.
Susan Yohn and her husband, Justin, participated in a pilot e-learning childbirth class. “The online childbirth class was very convenient and easy to use. We were able to plan our learning sessions around our busy schedules instead of planning around a two-hour class,” says Yohn. “If there was a lesson that we already completed but couldn’t remember, we were able to go back and look at it again. I am a visual learner so having control over the program lessons instead of only listening was very helpful,” she continues.
It is recommended that childbirth preparation classes are taken in the last trimester of the woman’s pregnancy. The e-learning childbirth class is $70.
Holy Spirit Hospital also offers a live interactive childbirth preparation course which is an eight-hour series covering labor, delivery, medications, coping strategies and comfort measures, and postpartum topics. The Bear Essentials is a free class to help you complete mandatory paperwork before admission; Baby Boot Camp, a favorite with Dads, is an interactive two-evening class all about newborn care; Pregnancy 101, an early pregnancy class covering pregnancy wellness, fetal development, basic nutrition and expectations for the coming months; Breastfeeding Class provides information on breastfeeding basics, storage, going back to work, and more; Children’s Hour, for 3- to 10-year-olds expecting a sibling. Package pricing for multiple classes is available.
For more information or to register, download a registration form from www.hsh.org or call 717-763-2229 (BABY).
Contact: Lori Moran, Public Relations Specialist
(717) 763-2777 or (717) 443-8829 (cell)
LMoran@hsh.org