Topeka (WIBW) - Six-week old Tristan is Savanna Smith's first child. Before his arrival, she admits she didn't know much when it came to childbirth.
She says she wanted to attend a childbirth preparation class with Tristan's dad, but, since he works nights and weekends, they couldn't find anything to fit their schedules.
Savanna had resigned her self to attending the class alone and passing the information along to him when she discovered Stormont-Vail HealthCare offered an online childbirth preparation class.
Childbirth Educator Danielle Huckins says Stormont worked with a service that had already developed the curriculum to begin offering the online option a couple months ago responding to couples whose schedules prevented them from taking any formal class in-person.
Huckins says the classes are important because they educate moms-to-be and their partners on the entire childbirth experience, from the surroundings to terminology used during checkups to caring for a newborn.
Participants are given a code that allows them to sign on for six weeks. In addition to works, short videos and animations help illustrate topics.
Participants get a workbook to reinforce what they've seen online. Plus, they have local resource numbers to call and can take a tour of the Birthplace facility to get any follow up questions answered face to face.
Whether it's in person or online, Huckins says it's an important step for expectant parents so they can make informed decisions about their care. She says any information is better than no information.
It's information Savanna is glad both she and Tristan's dad could discover together. Six weeks after his arrival, their biggest challenge is getting enough sleep!
Stormont charges the same fee for its online and in-person classes. It's $60, $20 for WIC patients. Click the "Education Classes" link at www.stormontvail.org for more information.