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Serving the Communities of East Chicago, Gary, Hammond & Lake Station |
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Education and Classes
Breastfeeding: Discussion on benefits (physical, emotional and
financial) of breastfeeding. Addresses
different breastfeeding techniques and dispels breastfeeding myths. Budgeting: Long and short-term goals for financial planning are
discussed. Client learns how to prepare
a monthly budget. Client identifies own fixed and variable expenses and learns
different techniques to attain stated financial goals. Cesarean
Childbirth: Discussion
includes why a woman would have a cesarean childbirth, types of anesthesia used
and how this recovery is different from a vaginal birth recovery. VBAC is also explained. Childbirth
Education (Labor and Delivery):
Labor and delivery process
described. Identification of signs and
symptoms of labor, stages of labor and changes the woman experiences during
each stage. Also discussed are ways to
cope with labor and possible medical interventions, procedures and medications that
may be used. Contraception
(Family Planning): Different
types of birth control, along with cost, pros, cons and failure rates are
discussed. Common myths about fertility
and a woman’s ability to get pregnant are dispelled. Gestation
Education (Pregnancy Education):
Discussion of how a pregnancy progresses
and how a fetus grows. Includes
explanation of what may happen at prenatal visits as well as why certain
procedures or tests may be done.
Warning signs, kick counts, nutrition and signs and symptoms of preterm
labor are also covered. Growth and
Development (0-12 months, 13-24 months): Two separate
classes that give a month-to-month breakdown of what a baby should be doing at
that point it its life. Growth and
development are discussed in terms of (1) Body movements and eye-hand coordination,
and (2) Thinking and emotional skills. HIV / AIDS: Discussion of modes of
transmission and early identification of HIV, particularly in women. Also covered are prevention, treatment and
resources available in the community. Infant
Safety: Discussion
of common household items that are dangerous to a baby. Safety standards for, among other things,
cribs and car seats are emphasized.
Other ways of preventing injury around the home, such as using a
microwave to heat bottles, are also covered. Newborn Care: Instruction on a newborn’s behavior and appearance, as well as the physical, emotional and psychological needs of a newborn. Importance of immunizations, good hygiene and cord care also discussed. Nutrition
and Exercise: Discussion of the food pyramid and the relationship
between good nutrition and a healthy pregnancy. Other areas covered include definition of a serving, prenatal
vitamins and ways to combat nausea. The
need for safe forms of exercise is also presented. Parenting: A series of sessions based on the Early Childhood STEP
program. The goal of this class is to
train parents to be more effective and meet the challenges of raising
children. Specific topics discussed
include, but are not limited to, (1) The 4 Goals of Misbehavior, (2) Managing
Anger, and (3) Helping Young Children Learn to Cooperate. Perinatal
Depression: Discussion
of the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression. Also discussed is the effect depression has on a fetus. Treatment and resources available are also
covered. Postpartum
Care: Discussion
of what to expect physically and medically after delivery, including perineal
and breast care. Client is introduced
to concept of “Baby Blues” at this time.
Importance of postpartum check-up is also covered. Postpartum
Depression: Discussion
of types of postpartum anxiety with emphasis on signs and symptoms of
postpartum depression. Client
instructed regarding why postpartum depression happens and the different
treatment methods available. Self-Esteem: Instruction on how positive and negative self-image
can affect one’s life. Clients
encouraged to gain confidence via acknowledgment of own strengths. Sexually
Transmitted Infections: Discussion
of various sexually transmitted infections.
Symptoms, methods of transmission, methods of prevention and applicable
treatment identified for each. Class
also briefly covers HIV/AIDS. Shaken Infant Syndrome: Discussion of signs and symptoms that a child has been shaken. Also covered are caregiver selection, consequences (short- and long-term) of this type of abuse and prevention. Smoking
Cessation: Presented
in a non-accusatory manner, pregnant women are alerted to damage done to the
fetus due to cigarette smoking, as well as the harm caused by second-hand
smoke. Clients are also informed as to
what is in a cigarette, the financial cost of smoking and different ways to
quit smoking. Stress
Relief: Signs
and symptoms of stress, as well as how stress affects the body, are
discussed. Methods of stress reduction
are also identified. Subsequent
Pregnancy: Importance
of allowing sufficient time between pregnancies is discussed. Substance
Use: Discussion
of how drug and/or alcohol use during pregnancy affects the fetus. Client learns the damage that is done by
drugs such as marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy, cocaine, along with others. Resources for help are identified. Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS): Discussion
on risk factors for SIDS as well as ways to reduce the risks of SIDS. “Back to Sleep” campaign is also discussed. |
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