Image courtesy of phaendin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping the English-speaking community with First Aid training and health education, HealthFirst has set up a new series of Birth Preparation Courses for expectant parents.
The courses are led by highly experienced British-trained midwife, Polly Pupulin. Having worked as both a midwife and a nurse in communities throughout the world, Polly is delighted to share her skills and knowledge with the expectant parents of all nationalities in the Lake Geneva region. As a mother of four children herself, she understands the unique needs of international families and families-to-be.
With courses scheduled at different times of the day and week to suit the individual requirements of busy, working parents-to-be, the classes are held over 3 or 4 sessions on Saturday mornings, or on weekday evenings. The next course will start on 12th January 2016, and will run between 18h30 and 21h00 over 4 consecutive Tuesdays in Geneva.
Polly welcomes people to attend individually or together with their partner, friend or other birth companion. With a maximum of 12 participants per course, the classes are designed to be as friendly and relaxed as possible, giving participants plenty of opportunity to raise their own personal questions and anxieties. There will also be time for parents-to-be to get to know each other in the class, and create valuable friendships during what can be a potentially worrying time.
Topics covered in the course will include:
- Healthy living in pregnancy.
- The health system in Switzerland for pre-natal, intrapartum, and post-natal care.
- What to do in the late stage of pregnancy: when to finish work, preparing for a new baby etc.
- The birthing process:
- Going into labour, what to expect.
- What to pack in your hospital bag.
- The different stages of labour.
- Pain pathways and the relationship between fear, tension and pain.
- Natural forms of pain relief during labour, positions in labour, breathing and relaxation.
- Medical/chemical forms of pain relief.
- Tearing, stiches, perineal massage and pelvic floor exercises.
- Birth plans.
- How your midwife can help you during labour.
- The partner’s role during labour.
- Induction of labour.
- Care of the newborn during the first hours of life. - Breastfeeding:
- Understanding cues that baby needs feeding.
- How to breastfeed a baby, how long to feed for, positions etc.
- How to know if baby is getting enough breast milk.
- Expressing and storing breast milk.
- Breast accessories - pads, pumps, nipple shields, bras etc. - A day in your life with your new baby:
- Nappy changing.
- Washing baby.
- How to tell baby is thriving.
- New baby problems - colic, regurgitation, fever.
- When to get advice for your baby.
- Cot death prevention.
A 4-week Birth Preparation Course costs Fr. 195.- per person. An accompanying partner or friend needs to book a place too, so don’t forget to sign up for 2 people when registering.
HealthFirst Birth Preparation Course
Pope John XXIII Parish at St. Nicolas de Flue, 57 Rue de Montbrillant, Geneva
12th, 19th, 26th January & 2nd February 2016 (18h30 to 21h00 on each evening)
Fr. 195.- per person
Click here for more information and to register.
www.healthfirst.ch
Please note that health insurance companies may not be able to reimburse the Fr. 100.- contribution towards these course fees.
