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Prenatal Patient Information

Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care, is a type of preventive healthcare. Its goal is to provide regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy and to promote healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child. Below are some helpful resources.

Three of our health centers provide comprehensive prenatal care:

Pregnant woman receiving a ultrasound scan on the stomach in hospital

Our Pregnancy Services team recommends the resources, click the titles below to expand for more information:

The postpartum period begins immediately after childbirth as the mother’s body, including hormone levels and uterus size, returns to a non-pregnant state. The terms puerperium, puerperal period, or immediate postpartum period are commonly used to refer to the first six weeks following childbirth.

“Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby” (Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity). Most mothers want to breastfeed but stop early due to a lack of ongoing support. Certain factors make the difference in whether and how long infants are breastfed.

Bottle feeding lets you see how much your baby is drinking. Depending on what kind of parent you are, this may make you feel better because you know what your baby is getting. Whenever you read guidelines for bottle-feeding, remember that each baby is different. Bigger babies need more food. Your baby may go through a growth spurt and seem hungry all the time, and then they may have a period when they eat less for a while. In general babies know how much food they need to grow. If you attend to your baby’s hunger cues, they’ll tell you how much food they want and when they are full.

Prenatal Classes

Childbirth Classes 2023

Our 6-week Childbirth Education classes emphasize the basic anatomy and physiology of birth. Topics discussed in this series includes birth preparation, relaxation simulations, breathing techniques, comfort measures, breastfeeding education, newborn care, and car seat safety.

Dress comfortably and set up a mat or blanket and pillow for your comfort.
Class outline is as follows:

Class Outline

  • Preparing for birth, Stages of labor
  • Comfort Measures/Relaxation
  • Stage 2 and 3 of childbirth, interventions in labor
  • C-Sections, Infants in the hospital
  • Car Seats/Infant Care
  • Breastfeeding/Postpartum Mother Care

Current classes are Saturdays from 10:30 – 12:30 on zoom

March – April: 03/04, 03/11, 03/18, 03/25, 04/01, 04/08

April – May: 04/22, 04/29, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27

June – July: 06/10, 06/17, 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

July – August: 07/29, 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26

September – October: 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21

November – December: 11/04, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, 12/09

To find out more or join a class with the access code, please call North Country Prenatal Services (707) 822-1385

Breastfeeding Support & Education

To make an appointment with our lactation specialist, Kit Meyer (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), for one-on-one prenatal or postpartum education, breastfeeding evaluations, infant weight gain assessments, or feeding concerns, please contact us at: (707) 822-1385.

Learn about other support and classes at the local WIC offices, St. Joseph’s and Mad River Hospitals, and Private lactation consultants. Learn more at Humboldt First Five.