FCMIC

The Prenatal Education Program

Welcome and Congratulations New Parents,

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and its Branch Medical Clinics provide you with a comprehensive prenatal education program designed to meet your specific needs. It begins when you find out you are pregnant and continues until your new baby is 3 years of age. The education program consists of perinatal educational materials, support agency resources available to you that are inside and outside our military community, prenatal classes and a parenting e-mail newsletter called the Parent Review.

A prenatal resource booklet called “Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Goal Oriented Guide to Prenatal Care”, also called the “Purple Book”, is available at your OB Clinic or via, this web site.   You may download it. This booklet will guide you each step of the way through your pregnancy

We can also put you in contact with support agencies such as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, Navy New Parent Support Program, Fleet and Family Services and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.   These supporting agencies can provide you with addition resources that will assist you on your journey.

The following prenatal classes are available and strongly encouraged so you will be prepared and confident of your knowledge and skills as you experience this new adventure.

1st Trimester

·        New Parent Resource Awareness (Active Duty Only)

·        Single Parenting in the Military

·        Tobacco Cessation (How To Stop Smoking)

2^nd and 3rd Trimester

·        Budgeting for Baby

·        Infant CPR classes provided by the American Red Cross Chapters

·        Breastfeeding Basics and Breastfeeding & Working

·        Prepared Childbirth Class (Childbirth Education for 1st Time Parents)

·        Labor and Delivery Tour (Childbirth Refresher and Tour)

·        Baby Boot Camp/Parenting Preparation

·        Sibling Class

For Class Schedules click here.

Details about each Class

Parenting Prep aka Baby Boot Camp

·        Designed for All parents who want to know the latest evidence-based baby care. Both parents are encouraged to attend.

·        One all-day class offered at NMCP on selected Tuesday’s, Thursdays, and Saturdays in Building #3 by the Navy Federal Credit Union

·        Covers baby care basics, feeding methods, nurturing, S.I.D.’s prevention and baby safety, how to determine sick vs. well babies, when to go to the ER, infant abduction prevention, and baby calming techniques from the Happiest Baby on the Block i.e. the 5’s.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic.

·        Those who attend will receive a breastfeeding support bag.

Sibling Class

·        Specifically designed for children ages 3-7 years old.

·        One evening class from 5:00-6:00pm. Held at NMCP, OB Clinic

·        Prepares children for the arrival of a new baby by exploring children’s feelings about the new sibling and their role as a new big brother and/or big sister

·        Call OB/Gyn Clinic at 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic

Infant CPR

Southeastern Virginia Chapter
www.seva-redcross.org
Naval Station Norfolk Office, 440-1111
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Office, 953-5435

Hampton Roads Chapter (serves Hampton , Newport News , & Isle of Wight County )
www.hrredcross.org 858-7320

Suffolk Chapter
http://www.suffolkredcross.org 539-6645

Breastfeeding Support Group (New Offering for 2008)

·        Specifically designed for breastfeeding mothers to gather together, receive and give breastfeeding support to each other.

·        Offered at NMCP, starting in March of 2008, on the third Wednesday of the month, in the Mother-Baby Unit, Day Room, Bldg. 2.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic.

Breastfeeding Basics Class

·        Designed for parents considering breastfeeding their baby

·        Reviews techniques for breastfeeding, pumping, storage of breast milk and trouble shooting problems

·        Offered at NMCP, Wednesdays in Mother-Baby Unit Day Room. Both parents are encouraged to attend.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic

Breastfeeding and Working Mom’s

·        Explores different strategies to continue breastfeeding when you return to work. Encouraged to attend Breastfeeding Basics too.

·        Offered at NMCP on the first Saturday of each month in the Mother-Baby Unit Day Room, Bldg. 2.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic

Childbirth Prep

·        Specifically designed for first-time expectant parents

·        One all-day session, offered at NMCP on selected Saturday’s in Building 3, down the hall from the Navy Federal Credit Union.

·        Covers stages of labor, breathing/relaxation techniques, pain management options, tips for coaches, parental support and encouragement, resources available etc.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic.

Labor and Delivery Tour

·        Specifically designed for parents who have experienced childbirth

·        One evening session, 5:00-7:00 pm. Held at NMCP, OB Clinic.

·        Sign up by calling 953-4300 or at your OB Clinic

·        Includes a tour of L&D and Mother-Baby Unit (if available), pain management options, and provides time for questions regarding the services provided at NMCP

·        This class is not necessary if you are enrolled in the Prepared Childbirth Prep

Other Classes Available

Lamaze Method of Childbirth   Call 1-800-368-4404 for a list of Certified Childbirth Educators

Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth Call 1-800-4ABIRTH (1-800-422-4784)

Tobacco Cessation

Provided by the Health Promotion Department of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth . These classes help all personnel to stop smoking. Smoking during pregnancy greatly increases the risks of birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Budgeting for Baby

Provided by the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). This one session class assists families with developing a sound financial plan. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard beneficiaries will receive a free layette regardless of rank. Army and Air Force members may attend the class but will not receive a layette. Register by calling the closest Navy/Marine Corps Relief office:

Norfolk 322-1171

Portsmouth 953-5696

Little Creek 462-1596

Oceana 433-3383

Welcome to the Military

Also provided by the Fleet and Family Support Center . If you are newly married, new to the area, or new to the military, this one-session workshop is for you. You will receive helpful information regarding military life, how to survive deployments and frequent moves, expectations for military service, pay, housing, medical and dental care, TRICARE benefits, financial planning, and recreational activities.

New Parent Support Resource Awareness Workshop

Provided by the Fleet and Family Support Center . Expectant servicewomen face special challenges as they make the transition into parenthood. This four-hour workshop was created to provide information to ease the way. Topics discussed include the Navy's policy on pregnant servicewomen, Navy Family Care Plans, housing information, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and information about their Budgeting for Baby program, child care resources, FFSC programs and services, the WIC program, and information on career planning. Registration is open to first time expectant servicewomen. Their partners are strongly encouraged to attend with them

Single Parenting in the Military

Provided by the Fleet and Family Support Center . This single-session workshop explores ways for active duty single parents to balance their military and parental responsibilities and looks at the opportunities and challenges of parenting alone in the military. Discussion topics include dealing with changes, co-parenting, dating, and resources for single military parents.