Prenatal classes and motherhood resources
Becoming a parent or caring for little ones comes with lots of questions—and
we’re here to help. Our
free and low-cost education classes are designed to prepare families for every stage, from pregnancy and childbirth
to newborn care, breastfeeding, and beyond. Led by experienced professionals,
these sessions offer practical skills, expert guidance, and supportive
community connections to help you feel confident and ready for the journey ahead.
Lakeside offers a free prenatal class series includes:
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Welcome to Motherhood
-
Birth and Beyond
-
Breastfeeding Basics
-
Infant Care Safety
Check the calendar link for the class schedule which is generally every
other month on
Thursday nights from 5:30 - 7pm on the 4th floor conference room of the Lakeside Hospital.
Space is limited therefore registration is required.
View our calendar and sign up
Click the
+ plus sign below to read more about the prenatal classes and resources for new parents.
Prenatal Classes
All Childbirth Education classes are free of charge and are offered every
other month.
Welcome and Introductions
Get answers from the experts to the many questions about in this welcome
and introductions to the newborn essentials. This class provides information
on the changes to expect throughout pregnancy, and emphasizes birth as
a normal, natural, and healthy process. Along with when to go to the hospital,
where to go, and what to expect. Including picking a pediatrician. Expecting
parents will take a tour of Women and Newborn services.
Prenatal - Birth and Beyond
The birthing and postpartum experience both in the hospital and beyond
can be overwhelming. With an emphasis on the mother and her new baby,
Signs and stages of labor are discussed, healthy relationships, postpartum
emotions, and feeding your baby. Interventions and medical options in
childbirth are discussed in this class. Comfort measures, including natural,
pharmacological, and epidural anesthesia are addressed. Both vaginal and
cesarean birth are discussed.
Prenatal - Infant Care and Safety
Basics of bathing, diapering, swaddling, umbilical cord, and circumcision
care are just some of the critical concepts that will be addressed in
this small, confidence-boosting class for expectant parents/ support persons.
*Clase Prenatal en Espanol - Spanish prental class
Por favor asiste esta clase para aprender como attender a su recién
nacido, la lactación, la seguridad infantile, y que se puede esperar
después de dar a luz. La clase es gratis. Todos están invitados.
*The Spanish class is not part of the prenatal series and there is no fee
for these classes.
Breastfeeding Classes
All Breastfeeding Education classes are free of charge and are offered
every other month.
Breastfeeding Basics
Dispelling myths and providing basics on preparing to breastfeed, along
with feeding your newborn and pump pointers are discussed in this small
informative class. The focus of this class is to help families achieve
a successful breastfeeding experience both in the hospital and at home.
Risks of formula feeding are discussed also with common challenges and
recommendations.
Additional Resources and Family Education Classes
The Newborn Channel
The Newborn Channel: a trusted resource since 1992, The Newborn Channel
provides engaging and relevant patient education from pregnancy through
post-discharge. Click the link to view
The Newborn Channel videos and enter the
Lakeside Hospital code: 03870.
Car Seat Safety Fitting
Child Safety Seat Fittings are available every Wednesday at Louisiana
State Police Troop B on the I-10 Service Rd. off of Williams Blvd. from
1-4pm. This program is designed to demonstrate proper installation of
your child safety seat and ensure that seat type and fit are accurate
for your vehicle. East Jefferson General Hospital EMS can also be contacted
at 504.503.7152 for questions.
Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
This class is offered at East Jefferson General Hospital campus. This non-certifying
program was created by the American Heart Association for anyone who wants
to learn how to give CPR to an infant. CPR basics will be presented by
a registered nurse through book and video instructions.
- Class is offered twice a month-$15.00
It’s Great to be a Girl
This class is offered at East Jefferson General Hospital campus. So much
happens to a young girl's body during puberty, both emotionally and physically.
Learning how their bodies grow, what changes to expect, and how to take
care of themselves are valuable lessons for preteens. For girls ages nine-12,
this seminar includes an informal, open discussion on self-esteem, self-care,
puberty, and communication. A brief and simple introduction to the opposite
sex is covered. A female parent or trusted female adult should accompany
each preteen.
- Class is offered about every three months
- Two hour class -$20.00
Safe Sitter
This class is offered at East Jefferson General Hospital campus. This is
a two-day Safe Sitter certified babysitting class offered during the summer
for teens 11-14 years old who are seriously interested in pursuing babysitting.
Rescue breathing and rescue choking techniques are covered.
