Preparing for Childbirth and Parenting
The Department of Childbirth Education at Hackensack University Medical Center offers a variety of classes which provide knowledge and support to new and expectant families. Our classes provide information, teach skills, and inspire confidence in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
All classes are taught by registered nurses with extensive experience in mother-baby care and/or labor and delivery. Additionally, all those who teach our Prepared Childbirth courses are certified by an accredited childbirth education agency. All those who teach breastfeeding are Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants. CPR and first aid courses are taught by American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructors.
Our childbirth and parenting classes are offered on-site at Hackensack University Medical Center. For more information, please contact us by phone at 551-996-2189 or by email at ChildBirthEd@HackensackUMC.org.
Click here for the 2013 schedule of classes.
Click here for a registration form and/or credit card payment form.
Childbirth and Parenting Classes offered at HackensackUMC: 
Prepared Childbirth Classes
Our Prepared Childbirth class prepares the expectant mother and her support person for the birthing experience. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and bring one or two pillows in addition to a blanket or yoga mat. These items will be used during practice sessions of exercise and relaxation techniques. Our 12-hour classes include a Childbirth Pavilion Tour, as well as a Pediatrician session. This class should be taken four-to-six weeks prior to your estimated delivery date.
Fee: $175 per couple for weeknight classes or $200 per couple for weekend classes.
Topics include:
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The process of labor and birth
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Coaching skills
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Breathing and relaxation
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Anesthesia
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Vaginal and cesarean birth
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Marvelous Multiples®
Marvelous Multiples® is a prenatal education program for expectant parents of twins, triplets, or more. Multiple pregnancy, birth, and caring for two or more newborns is a unique experience. This course offers expectant parents information about many of the aspects of multiple pregnancy and birth that are not covered in standard prenatal or childbirth education classes. Expectant parents are encouraged to register and attend this course early in their pregnancy. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and bring one or two pillows with you to class.
Fee: $200 per couple
The Marvelous Multiples®course is designed to prepare expectant parents of multiples to:
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Learn about the physical and emotional challenges of multiple pregnancy and identify the accompanying signs and symptoms.
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Be prepared for the many variances in labor, delivery, and recovery through your knowledge and confidence in the multiple birth process.
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Gain practical skills and problem-solving information about life at home with newborn multiples.
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Participate in a supportive network with other expectant parents of multiples.
Topics include:
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Coping with discomforts of multiple pregnancy
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Warning signs of pregnancy complications and current methods of treatment
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Premature babies and the NICU
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Labor and birth of multiples
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Recovery and postpartum changes
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Bonding with multiple newborns
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Managing life at home with two, three, or more babies
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Breastfeeding multiple babies
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Essential equipment - strollers, beds, clothing, diapers, etc.
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Infant Care and Safety Class
Our Infant Care and Safety class is a three-hour program which prepares expectant parents for the appearance, care, safety, and growth and development of their new babies. These classes also include a Pediatrician session. It is recommended to take this class after the seventh month of pregnancy and before the birth of the baby.
Fee: $50 per couple
Topics include:
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What to expect during the hospital stay
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Preparing the home for a new baby
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Care of the newborn:
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Bathing
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Diapering, swaddling, holding
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Temperature taking
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Umbilical cord care
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Circumcision care
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Feeding, burping, bottle safety
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Infant crib, car-seat, and toy safety
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Growth and development
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When to call the pediatrician
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Immunizations
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Resources
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Breastfeeding Class
Our breastfeeding class is a two-hour program that introduces the basics of breastfeeding and prepares the expectant parents for a healthy and happy breastfeeding relationship with their baby. It is recommended to take this class during the eighth month of pregnancy. Fee: $50 per couple.
Topics include:
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Advantages and benefits of breastfeeding
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Getting started and building confidence
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Role of father and/or significant other
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Positioning, effective latch-on, hunger cues
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Common concerns, discomforts, and management
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Special considerations and lactation support resources
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
The Happiest Baby on the Block™
Learn the techniques of world-renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp through our certified parent educators. This two-hour class will teach expectant parents how to help their babies sleep longer and how to soothe even the fussiest infants. Class attendees will take home a Happiest Baby on the Block DVD and a Soothing Sounds CD.
Fee: $60 per couple
Topics include:
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The Missing Fourth Trimester
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The Calming Reflex
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“The Five S’s”
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The Cuddle Cure
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Sibling Preparation Class
Our one and half hour Sibling Preparation class focuses on the special role of a big brother/big sister. It is designed especially for young children, ages three to seven, to help prepare them for a new baby in the family and to help ease the anxiety of visiting Mommy in the hospital. The children will have an opportunity to explore their new role as a big brother or big sister as they interact with anatomically correct dolls, participate in fun activities, and visit the nursery window. Each child will receive a certificate of class completion. It is recommended that your child attend this class approximately four weeks prior to the mother’s estimated delivery date. An adult must accompany the child for the duration of the class.
Fee: $40 per child.
Topics include:
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What new babies look like
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Why babies cry
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What new babies can do
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The role of a big brother or big sister
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Childbirth Pavilion Tour
Our complimentary Childbirth Pavilion Tour is designed for expectant parents. It consists of a group tour which includes a visit to the Labor and Delivery unit, the Mother-Baby unit, and the nursery window. Due to limited space, enrollment is limited to either the expectant parents or the expectant mom and her one guest. Children are not permitted.
All Childbirth Pavilion Tours are held in the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital. Attendees may park in the Women’s and Children’s parking garage and report to the information desk in the Women’s Hospital lobby.
For additional information and registration, please contact the Department of Childbirth Education at 551-996-2189.
Family and Friends® CPR and Family and Friends® First Aid for Children
The Family and Friends® programs are intended for family members who want to learn rescue skills for loved ones. This course is perfect for new and expectant parents, grandparents, relatives, and seniors. These classes present information and teach the skills for adult, child, and/or infant CPR, first aid for choking, prevention strategies, and what to do for common first aid emergencies that occur with young children until professional help arrives. Participants can choose from three course options:
Option 1 is a one-night course that teaches infant CPR and first aid for Children.
Option 2 is a one-night course that teaches CPR for all ages, including adults, children and infants.
Option 3 is a two-night course that teaches CPR for all ages, including adults, children and infants and includes first aid for children.
These courses are intended for those participants who are interested in learning the skills of CPR and first aid but do not need a course completion card. Click here for schedule and registration form. Fees apply.
How To Contact Us
Hackensack University Medical Center
Department of Childbirth Education
30 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 551-996-2189
Fax: 551-996-2635
ChildBirthEd@HackensackUMC.org
