Convenient Access to Virtual Education Now Available For Expecting Parents
HILLSDALE, Mich.—Hillsdale Hospital is offering free online classes to prepare expecting mothers and fathers for their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. The new classes are designed to be taken at the parents’ own pace from the comfort of their home.
Hillsdale Hospital’s Hidden Meadows OB/GYN outpatient practice and Bediako Birthing Center strive to care for women, infants and families through every step of the birthing journey. As part of that effort, Hillsdale Hospital is offering these classes from healthcare education partner InJoy free of charge. This was made possible through grant funding provided by The Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s 2022 Maternal and Infant Health Initiative.
InJoy is a healthcare education company helping over 15,000 institutions support parents with quality, evidence-based resources. The birthing classes available through Hillsdale Hospital offer valuable information and answer common questions parents may have about birthing techniques, labor, medical procedures and taking care of newborns.
“In the hustle of today’s world, we know that everyone’s time is valuable and that it is difficult to get to in-person classes that take up hours of the day,” said Hillary Zimmerman, clinical nurse manager of obstetrics. “Our free, at-your-own-pace, online classes offer this important education to anyone interested. I believe that this education will make a wonderful impact on the outcome for our mothers and their newborns.”
The birthing classes are interactive, so the learning experience is filled with videos, animations, and activities, rather than traditional textbooks and lectures. With the class parent toolbox, mothers and fathers will be fully equipped with interactive tools, planning checklists and trackers to stay on top of every new step in the journey.
“We want our patients and their families to feel equipped during their entire journey, including the opportunity to develop a comprehensive birthing plan with our providers, from the big decisions like pain management options, down to even the smallest details like music or lighting in the room,” Chief Communications Officer Rachel Lott said. “Mothers and fathers who come into our birthing center are trusting us to take care of them and their newborn through one of the most important parts of their lives. We do not take that responsibility lightly.”
Beyond the new online birthing classes, the Bediako Birthing Center at Hillsdale Hospital features private rooms, whirlpool tubs and 24-hour anesthesia coverage. After a birth, the obstetrics team provides individualized postpartum care, including lactation support and physician examination prior to discharge. With these kinds of services, the hospital endeavors to provide parents with confidence and comfort as they approach their birthing experience.
“All patients deserve equitable healthcare,” said Zimmerman. “Proper education is not only the key to understanding pregnancy, birth, your baby, fatherhood and postpartum, but also the key to being able to properly and confidently make informed decisions about the care you and your baby receive.”
To access the online birthing classes, patients can visit hillsdalehospital.com/baby and submit their contact information to receive an access code, or call the Bediako Birthing Center at (517) 437-5280. Thanks to the grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, classes will remain free while available seats last.
