Childbirth Classes

About Our Childbirth Classes

Our childbirth classes can help you and your partner prepare for the birth, help prepare siblings for the new arrival, give you information about breastfeeding, teach family members how to care for the newborn, teach emergency care skills, or just refresh moms and partners who are already experienced.

Our classes are brought to you in partnership with Healthy Start Coalition of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

To participate in our childbirth classes, with no out-of-pocket cost to you, register early in your pregnancy to become a Healthy Start participant.

How to Register to become a Healthy Start Participant

Call the number below for the county in which you live.

• Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.
• 772.463.2888
• Healthy Start Coalition of St. Lucie County, Inc.
• 772.467.2016

How to Register for Childbirth Classes

At the beginning of your seventh month, call to speak with our Administrative Program Coordinator who will be happy to share our class offerings and schedule classes to meet your individual needs.

Call the number below for the county in which you live.

• For Martin County residents:
• 772-223-5945, ext.16453
• For St. Lucie County residents:
• 772-223-5945, ext.16687

Once you register for classes, you will receive an email to confirm your registration and give you the class date(s) and time(s).

If you must cancel your class registration, we ask that you give us at least 24 hours’ notice.

Preparation for Labor and Delivery (On-site and online e-Class options)

This class prepares you and your partner to be active participants in the birth of your baby. Start this class with your partner during your sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Bring an exercise mat or blanket, two pillows, and/or a birthing ball with you to class. You will learn about:

• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Methods of delivery
• Choices in analgesia and anesthesia
• Emotional aspects of parenthood
• Admission and hospital policies
• Cesarean childbirth
• Postpartum care
• Infant care

Breastfeeding Class (On-site and online e-Class options)

Our breastfeeding class is designed for women who have not made a choice on how to feed their infant or for those who plan to breastfeed their babies. The class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dads are encouraged to attend the class. Also, please bring a doll or stuffed animal.

Topics covered include:

• Benefits of breastfeeding
• Prenatal preparation for breastfeeding
• Nutrition
• Dad's role

Infant CPR

This class teaches parents how to take care of their baby in an emergency. This course is recommended for all prospective parents and anyone not experienced in CPR. American Heart Association (AHA) Family & Friends CPR is an orientation to CPR and is not a certifying or credentialing course.

Understanding Infant & Child Safety Class Online eClass

Our online class allows you to go at your own pace, in your own home. This class is designed and recommended for all infant and childcare providers. We are pleased expand offerings to families who are not able to attend on-site classes or who prefer an option for self-directed learning.

Content includes: Car Safety: Infant car seats, hot cars, carbon monoxide, backover & frontover safety Safe Baby Care: Safe sleep, abusive head trauma, food safety, outdoor safety, pets, siblings Safety Products: Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification, baby-gear safety, baby gates, avoiding tip-overs, toy safety, childproofing products Home Safety: Choking, suffocation, & strangulation hazards, falls, water safety, burn prevention Poisons: Common household poisons, poison safety & hotline, poison “look-alikes” Emergency Preparedness: Gun safety, fire safety, disaster preparedness, importance of learning CPR & first aid.