At Southwest General, we believe in providing care with a focus on family. The Family Life Programs offer a variety of classes that build confidence and inform you of your health care options. We invite you to explore your ever-changing world with us … before the birth of your child and beyond.
Please select on a program of interest from the list below:
Description: The challenges of being a new father, the changes experienced by new moms, the knowledge that there is no one right way to be a dad and that men bring their own unique strengths to parenting are a few of the issues discussed dad-to-dad, man-to-man in this unique program. Veteran dads teach soon-to-be rookie dads in this 2 1/2 hour workshop, designed to help them prepare for their new roles. Gift certificates available (makes a great shower gift for Dad-to-be).
Call 440-816-8036
Cost: One-class fee: $25
Description: Topics include breastfeeding benefits, common concerns, getting started, correct positioning, preventing problems, returning to work, breast pumps, milk collection, storage, and more. Dad or grandma is encouraged to attend to provide continued support for mom. Class is taught by a Southwest General lactation consultant.
Call 440-816-8036.
Cost: One-class fee: $35
Breastfeeding Support Group
Description: Breastfeeding mothers support group. This free support group will help you meet other breastfeeding mothers to ask questions and get their support. Discussions are led by mothers and facilitated by certified lactation consultants. No registration is required.
Call 440-816-8397
Meets the first Wednesday and third Monday of month 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Southwest General.
Happiest Baby on the Block
Description: This class helps babies adjust to their first 3 months after birth, or the “4th trimester”. One of the challenges new parents face is to effectively soothe their fussy, crying baby. Our Happiest Baby on the Block class teaches simple, effective, step-by-step techniques that help soothe a fussy baby. Nationally renowned pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, a leader in the field of parenting education, developed these techniques to strengthen the bond between parents and children and help parents create happier, healthier, more loving families. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Prevent Child Abuse America, this class is taught by certified instructors, and is open to expectant parents, new parents, adoptive parents, and grandparents. Fee includes a Parent Kit ($40 value: Happiest Baby DVD and a Soothing Sounds CD).
Call 440-816-8036
Cost: One-class fee: $45/couple (includes parent kit)
Description: Every baby is unique, but the basic need for tender loving care is the same. Learn the basics of baby care, including growth and development, feeding, changing, bathing, communication cues, illness, safety, and more. This class is helpful for expectant parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, or anyone caring for a baby. Class is taught by a certified childbirth instructor.
Call 440-816-8036
Cost: Fee: $40
Description: Take a tour of the Maternity Unit. Tours are limited to the expectant mother and father/support person. Registration required. Adults only, please. Tours begin promptly and typically last about one hour.
Tours are free but registration is required.
Description: This three-hour course is designed for anyone who wants to learn CPR and does not need a course completion card in CPR. The course teaches you how to give CPR to an adult, child, and infant. Learn what to do when a child is choking or stops breathing.
Call 440-816-8036 to register.
Cost: $35 single (20% discount for those living in our tax-supporting communities), $60 couple.
No charge for SWGHC Associates and Volunteers.
Prepared Childbirth (Lamaze)
Description: Learn about your options and choices for labor and birth. Learn how to time contractions, when to go to the hospital, how to recognize and prevent preterm labor, ways to reduce pain and enhance comfort in labor using massage, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods. Class includes discussion of medication/anesthesia options, how your support person can help during the birthing process and more. Taught by a certified childbirth instructor.
Private classes available at a higher cost.
Please plan to register during your fifth month of pregnancy
Call early for best choice of dates. Call 440-816-8036
Cost: $95 / couple , $80 / couple (taxing district)
Fee: $70 / couple when you register for 2 additional paid classes at the same time
Description: This class helps prepare a big brother or sister for the arrival of the new baby. Children aged 3-8 will have their questions answered and the opportunity to talk about when they were a baby, plans for when mommy is away, what it’s like to have a new baby in their home, safety and more. A tour of the maternity area is included with class. Please have your child(ren) bring a current photograph and a baby photograph of themselves to class.
Call 440-816-8036
Cost: $25/one child ; $5 each additional sibling
Description: A medically accurate program developed by a pediatrician that is designed to teach 11-13 year olds how to be safe and nurturing babysitters. Students learn injury prevention, how to recognize a medical emergency and take the appropriate action, safety and security precautions, basic child development and the business aspects of babysitting. Individual group arrangements can be discussed. Taught by certified Safe Sitter instructors. Manual included. Certificates provided upon completion of both sessions. This program is supported by Berea, Middleburg Heights, and Strongsville Kiwanis.
Bring a sack lunch, drink and pen or pencil.
Call 440-816-8036
Cost: $55 taxing district / $65 non-taxing district
*REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR ANY CLASSES
The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose.
Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association.
Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course material, do not represent income to the Association.