Ottumwa Regional Health Center offering free online birthing classes to patients through Birthly program

OTTUMWA, Iowa - Both experienced and soon-to-be parents alike now have access to unlimited, free online birthing classes through Ottumwa Regional Health Center (ORHC).

ORHC launched its Birthly program in partnership with Lifepoint Health (formerly Lifepoint Hospitals) last week; it features live instructors and a variety of regularly scheduled classes. ORHC representatives say the new option should make these kinds of lessons more accessible to patients—especially for those who can’t make it to in-person classes, since patients can choose classes that work best for their schedule.

For a lot of people—when you're working Monday through Friday, 9 to 5—you don't want to go on your one day off and sit in a classroom. So, you can do these in the privacy of your home, be comfortable on your couch and attend the class,” said Casey Klodt, Director of Women and Family Services at ORHC.

They say it's not only about convenience; it can greatly affect the outcome of someone’s birth experience, too. 

“The earlier you access prenatal care, gather information and are followed by health care professionals—like the ones we have at Ottumwa Regional—the more successful your pregnancy journey and its outcome will be,” said Kara Urlis-Comer, Nurse Manager of the Women’s Clinic at ORHC.

There are lessons for before, during and after someone’s birth, as well as lessons in Spanish. Those classes are available to both moms and dads—any ORHC patient on a pregnancy journey. 

To register for Birthly through ORHC, you can ask your provider for more information or visit ORHC’s website.