Childbirth Classes and Events

Childbirth education classes in the Omaha area include:

• Prepared Childbirth Series
• Prepared Childbirth Saturday
• Prepared Childbirth Express
• Advanced Relaxation Techniques
• New Parents Class
• Breastfeeding

Register for these courses on our events site.

Childbirth education classes in the Lincoln area. Register for these courses on our events site.

Maternity Center Tour for Expectant Parents

A free tour designed for expectant parents to become familiar with our award-winning care and what to expect upon arrival at our hospital. See a labor & delivery room with spa-style suites with whirlpools behind French doors, postpartum rooms with queen size beds and level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Cost: FREE

Childbirth Series

This series meets once a week for four consecutive weeks or once a week for two consecutive weeks. Class covers pregnancy, stages of labor, relaxation and breathing, medications, epidurals, & c-sections. You will also receive the Your Guide to Labor and Birth, including a digital companion app for helpful videos. Cost $55 per couple.

Breastfeeding Express

Designed to help expectant mothers have a successful start, this course covers breastfeeding advantages, skin-to-skin contact, first feedings, overcoming short-term challenges and more. You will also receive the Your Guide to Labor and Birth, including a digital companion app for helpful videos. Cost $30 per couple.

Infant Care

Designed to prepare you to care for your newborn. Topics include newborn appearance, car seat safety, safe sleep/SIDS, baby cues, newborn procedures, and home safety. Enjoy a short presentation and Q&A with a local pediatrician, hands-on infant CPR practice and a family birth center tour. You will also receive the Your Guide to Baby’s First Year book, including a digital companion app for helpful videos. Cost $30 per couple.

Infant Care Express

Short presentation and Q & A session with a local pediatrician, hands-on infant CPR practice and a family birth center tour, receive the Your Guide to Baby’s First Year book, including a digital companion app for helpful videos. Cost $15 per couple.

Online Birth & Beyond

Three online self-paced classes.

Labor & Birth helps you understand the labor and birth process and answers your questions.

Breastfeeding Basics teaches you how to successfully breastfeed your new baby.

Postpartum Care covers caring for your own physical and emotional health in the 12 weeks after giving birth. Register to receive your unique link and access code from our Childbirth Education Coordinator. Cost $50

Registration includes:

• All three classes
• Can be accessed for 365 days from the date you create your account
• Is taken at your own pace
• Gain access to an in-person event which includes a short presentation by a local pediatrician & with a Q&A session
• Hands-on infant CPR practice
• A family birth center tour

Online Baby Care & Safety

Two online self-paced classes.

Baby Care covers understanding and caring for your new baby at home.

Baby Safety teaches you how to keep your baby safe inside, outside and everywhere else. Register to receive your unique link and access code from our Childbirth Education Coordinator. Cost $35

Registration includes:

• Both classes
• Can be accessed for 365 days from the date you create your account
• Is taken at your own pace
• Gain access to an in-person event which includes a short presentation by a local pediatrician & with a Q&A session
• Hands-on infant CPR practice
• A family birth center tour

Online Birth & Baby Bundle

Five online self-paced classes.

Labor & Birth helps you understand the labor and birth process and answers your questions.

Breastfeeding Basics teaches you how to successfully breastfeed your new baby.

Postpartum Care covers caring for your own physical and emotional health in the 12 weeks after giving birth.

Baby Care covers understanding and caring for your new baby at home.

Baby Safety teaches you how to keep your baby safe inside, outside and everywhere else. Register to receive your unique link and access code from our Childbirth Education Coordinator. Cost $75

Registration includes

All five classes

• Can be accessed for 365 days from the date you create your account
• Is taken at your own pace
• Gain access to an in-person event which includes a short presentation by a local pediatrician & with a Q&A session
• Hands-on infant CPR practice
• A family birth center tour

CHI Health St. Francis and the Grand Island community offer a variety of educational classes to enhance your pregnancy, create a positive birth experience, and help you learn to care for your newborn as he or she grows. For your convenience, we have listed classes in a timeline.

By Your Sixth Month (18 to 24 weeks)

Hospital Registration

Please call in your 6^th month and we will start gathering information to start your account. Then we will mail a questionnaire for you to complete and return to us. This paperwork will include a birth plan so you can let us know what we can do to assist you with the birth of your baby. Please call (308) 398-5888 to register.

Prepared Childbirth Four-Week Class Series

For expectant parents, 7:00 p.m. Thursdays. Four-week session. For dates and fees call Sylvia at (308) 850-7005.

In Your Sixth, Seventh, or Eighth Month (24 to 32 weeks)

Maternity Center Tours

To schedule your private tour, please call (308) 398-5888.

Preparing for Breastfeeding Class

This class is for any woman considering breastfeeding her baby. Discussions cover why you should consider breastfeeding; physical and emotional preparation; needs of the newborn, mother and family; working while breastfeeding; support and resources; pacifiers; and breast pumps. Fathers or other support people are welcome to attend. One-night class for expectant parents, third Wednesday of even months (February, April, June, August, October and December) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at CHI Health St. Francis. For fees, dates and to register, call (308) 398-6595.

BabyCare Basics Class

Learn about the basics about caring for a newborn. This class is for first-time parents or for anyone who wants to update their newborn care skills. Discussions cover what happens in the hospital, what does a newborn look like, bathing, diapering, umbilical cord care and circumcision care, safety, SIDS, abusive head trauma/shaken baby and how to calm a newborn. Basic CPR techniques are also reviewed.

This class is offered the 3^rd Wednesday of odd months (January, March, May, July, Sept., Nov.) from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at CHI Health St. Francis

For more information or to register, please call (308) 398-5888. Fee $15 (waived if delivering at CHI Health St. Francis).

Car Seat Check-Up Appointments with Child Safety

It’s very important to learn to install your car seat properly before your baby is born. Please call (308) 398-6584 in your sixth month of pregnancy to set up an appointment to get your car seat checked. You will be expected to know how to use and install your own car seat properly once your baby is born.

After Your Baby Arrives

Lactation Consultant

To support breastfeeding mothers, St. Francis provides a registered nurse who is a certified lactation consultant. This person can help mothers start breastfeeding during their hospital stay and can offer support after mom and baby go home. She is available for consultations by calling (308) 398-6595. 

“Eat at Mom’s” Weekly Breastfeeding Support Group

Having problems with breastfeeding or just want to get out of the house and meet other new mothers? This support group for breastfeeding mothers and babies, facilitated by breastfeeding counselors meets every Tuesday between 10 a.m. - Noon at Hy-Vee Club Room, 115 Wilmar Ave. No registration or fees. For more information, call (308) 398-6595.

Other Resources

Pregnancy Counseling

If you feel you would like help with difficult decisions associated with an unintended pregnancy, there are caseworkers and counselors available to help you sort through your options and make a choice that is best for your baby and you. Call Nebraska Children’s Home at (308) 381-0568.

WIC Services through the Central Nebraska Health District

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a supplement food and nutrition education program for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or up to six-month post-partum as well as infants and children up to age of five. It is a short-term intervention program designed to encourage positive nutrition and health behaviors in a targeted, high-risk population. WIC services include peer counselors as well as breastfeeding support. Call (308) 385-5188 for more information.

Stork Smarts: Birth Preparation

At the Maternity Center at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, NE we feel the better prepared or “stork smart” you are for your upcoming birth experience, the less anxious you’ll be during this special time. Our classes and pre-admission clinic will give you the confidence that comes from knowing what to expect the moment you walk in our doors until after you take your new baby home. We are here to make your birth experience special.

Maternity Center Pre-admission Clinic

Streamline your baby’s birth with a visit to our Maternity Center’s pre-admission Clinic. At your scheduled appointment, you will get acquainted with the Maternity Center Staff and review your personal preferences for the birth process. This will take place in a relaxed setting that will save time and relieve stress on your big day. Appointments can be scheduled 6-weeks prior to your due date. Call (308) 865-7137 to schedule.

CHI Health Good Samaritan Pre-registration

To make the admitting process easier, we encourage you to pre-register at CHI Health Good Samaritan. Please stop by Admissions before you come to the Maternity Center for your pre-admission appointment or call 1 (800) 459-5401 or (308) 865-7529. Have your insurance information ready.

Sneak & Peek: Sibling Preparation Class

A new baby is exciting but for big brother or sister this addition may cause some fearful moments. Our FREE class prepares your older children for the upcoming for baby’s arrival. This is an avenue to make you children feel included and special. For more information, or to register, please call (308) 865-7133.

Infant Safety Seats

CHI Health Good Samaritan also offers assistance properly installing infant safety seats. For more information, please call Safe Kids at (308) 865-2011.

Virtual Childbirth Education Opportunity

We offer a virtual recorded class option for those interested. To register for these classes, see our events site. 

Breastfeeding Support