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Prenatal Classes

Prenatal Classes

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.

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The four free classes series includes: Welcome and Introductions, Birth and Beyond, Breastfeeding Basics, and Infant Care Safety are held in-person on Thursday nights from 5:30 - 7pm on the 4th floor conference room a 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

Newborn​​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

breastfeeding support​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

Car seat​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.

  • This class is free

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.

  • 2 full days- $120.00