Education and Support

Education and Support for Your Birth Journey

Preparing for labor, delivery and life with your newborn can feel overwhelming – but you don’t have to do it alone. The team offers education and resources designed to help you feel confident, informed and supported every step of the way.

Why does childbirth education matter?

Every birth experience is unique, and understanding your options can make a big difference. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your family, we provide classes and tools that cover everything from birth planning and pain management to newborn care and postpartum recovery.

What classes and resources are offered at Ottumwa Regional Health Center?

Through a partnership with Birthly, Ottumwa Regional Health Center now offers its patients free, virtual access to a variety of perinatal education classes.

How does Birthly work?

Patients can now access a variety of classes through an online platform. Patients can register for classes and connect with certified, experienced childbirth educators via a live video feed. The educator will provide live, interactive teaching, with dedicated time for the patient to ask questions. Patients now have more flexibility in choosing a time that fits their schedule and can connect from the comfort of their own home.

Classes Available Include:

• Early Pregnancy Preparations. Perfect for your first trimester, this 90-min class provides an overview of what to expect during pregnancy, including fetal development, how your body changes and ways to alleviate common discomforts.
• Prenatal Education Bootcamp. A deep dive into the stages of labor and delivery, this two-session class (5 hours total) covers everything from timing contractions to understanding common medical interventions, helping you make informed decisions. Classes are also available in Spanish.
• Coping and Comfort. Learn about non-pharmacological pain management techniques and coping strategies for labor. This 90-min class is designed to help you and your partner feel prepared for the challenges of childbirth.
• Breastfeeding 101. Get expert advice on how to get a great start to breastfeeding. This 2-hour class covers latch techniques, feeding positions, troubleshooting common issues and more. Classes are also available in Spanish.
• Newborn Care. Prepare for the "Fourth Trimester" with this 2-hour class. You'll learn about normalizing infant behavior, newborn basics like bathing and swaddling, and how to soothe your new baby. Classes are also available in Spanish.
• Infant Safety Basics. Feel confident in your ability to keep your newborn safe. This 90-min class covers critical topics such as car safety, safe sleep, choking prevention and an introduction to infant CPR.
• Perinatal Mental Health. Understand the potential mental health challenges during and after pregnancy. This 90-min class discusses risk factors, how to identify signs of depression and anxiety, and strategies for self-care.
• Pre/Postnatal Movement and Mindfulness. This 60-min perinatal yoga class is open to all levels and is a great way to stay active and centered during and beyond your pregnancy.

At Ottumwa Regional Health Center we are committed to providing you and your growing family with comprehensive and compassionate care. We are thrilled to offer all our expectant parents complimentary and unlimited access to Birthly's live, expert-led, virtual prenatal education classes.

This program allows us to extend our support for you beyond the hospital walls, providing you with the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate every stage of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. Birthly's classes are taught by certified childbirth educators, lactation consultants and other specialists who are passionate about supporting and empowering parents. You can learn from trusted experts from the comfort of your own home, with live, interactive virtual classes available daily.

We also offer monthly community events that you can access for free once you’ve signed up for a class. These events focus on various topics such as: Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy and Beyond, Infant Massage, Creating a Postpartum Plan and more. 

How to Sign Up

Getting started with your free classes is simple. Follow these three easy steps:

Bereavement Support

While we hope for joyful beginnings, we understand that some families face unimaginable loss. Your care team is here to provide compassionate care and emotional support during these difficult times.

We offer:

• Bereavement counseling and grief support resources
• Memory-making services for families who wish to honor their baby
• Referrals to local and national support groups

Our goal is to ensure no family faces this journey alone. Please speak with your nurse or care provider for confidential support.