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Free Childbirth Classes Helping Expectant Mothers Prepare for Birth

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HARLINGEN – Expectant parents are finding valuable information to help them prepare for the birth of their baby through free childbirth classes which are held at Harlingen Medical Center.

The classes are held on the last Saturday morning of every month, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, in the hospital’s Medical Office Building (MOB) Conference Room, located at 5505 S. Expressway 77 in Harlingen (on the first floor of the building closest to the Expressway, behind the elevators, in Suite 102).

Mothers and newborn babies at Harlingen Medical Center benefit from a family-centered approach, as well as free childbirth preparation classes.

Mothers and newborn babies at Harlingen Medical Center benefit from a family-centered approach, as well as free childbirth preparation classes.

It is recommended that new mothers attend the childbirth preparation class during the 7th, 8th or 9th month of pregnancy. The free class includes information on labor, pain relief / medications, cesarean births, and breastfeeding, and includes a tour of Harlingen Medical Center’s women’s services facilities, including:

  • “Homelike” labor and delivery suites
  • All-private post-partum suites
  • Dedicated OB/GYN operating suites
  • 21-bassinet newborn nursery

The childbirth classes are taught by Priscilla Claudio, RN, IBCLC, who is also one of two certified lactation consultants for breastfeeding at Harlingen Medical Center.

Studies have shown that breast milk helps protect newborn babies from many health conditions. As part of the effort to encourage breastfeeding, Harlingen Medical Center teaches mothers about “skin-to-skin breastfeeding” during the “golden hour,” the first hour after the baby is born. This also helps to make bonding closer between mom and baby.

For more information about women’s services at Harlingen Medical Center – or to register for the free childbirth classes — please call (956) 365-1139, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.harlingenmedicalcenter.com/Services/Womens-Center.aspx.

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