Pregnancy and newborn care
Piedmont Athens maternity classes
Baby classes
Baby care basics
Baby Care Basics class covers what to expect with a newborn in the hospital and the early days at home. In class, parents learn about the admission process, newborn behaviors, newborn feeding patterns, and when to call the doctor. This is a hands-on class with demonstrations and time to practice, techniques in diapering, bathing, swaddling, and soothing.
Baby CPR and choking rescue - Athens
This class covers Baby CPR and conscious and unconscious choking for infants (up to age one).
Breastfeeding classes
Breastfeeding support group - Athens
Breastfeeding Support Group is led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Bring baby and get support with latch positioning, maintaining milk supply, troubleshooting, and pumping. In group, we discuss the challenges and successes of the breastfeeding journey. There is no charge for this group, but registration is needed to reserve a spot.
Breastfeeding basics - Athens
This is a prenatal breastfeeding class that is designed to help mothers get off to a good start. The instructor discusses ways to establish a good milk supply, prevention and early management of common feeding challenges, and how to tell if baby is getting enough to eat. Hands-on positioning techniques are reviewed and practiced.
Individual breastfeeding support appointment
Individual Breastfeeding Support Appointment is a 1 hour one-on-one appointment with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The goal is to assist individual with a breastfeeding session, work on latch technique, weigh baby before and after to determine a milk transfer total, troubleshoot concerns, and come up with a plan moving forward.
Childbirth classes
Childbirth 101
This class covers education on preparation for labor and birth. Topics include labor stages, when to go to the hospital, comfort measures, interventions, medications, epidurals, inductions, and cesarean section delivery. Participants will receive a class booklet that includes access to exclusive content and videos.
Childbirth: Comfort measures for labor add-On
This class covers comfort measures and movements to use in labor prior to getting an epidural or for an unmedicated birth. This class should be taken in addition to Childbirth 101 - Athens. Practices include progressive relaxation, breathing patterns, use of the birth ball, labor positions, and a labor rehearsal practice. This class is not intended to fully prepare you for unmedicated labor but to introduce techniques to help you create a personal labor plan.
Other offerings
NICU peer support
Piedmont Athens has partnered with Athens Parent Wellbeing, a local nonprofit for maternal mental health, to connect Piedmont NICU parents with mentor NICU parents for support. Please fill out the form on the attached link to get set up with a NICU TheraParent through Athens Parent Wellbeing.
Super Siblings
Super Sibling class is for children age 2-5 expecting a little sibling. The class uses a fun video program and interactive play to teach kids what to expect when a new baby comes home. Parent(s) attend class with child.