Birthing Services-FAQs

1. What kinds of childbirth classes are available?
   
2. How do I sign up for childbirth classes?
   
3. When is the best time to sign up for classes?
   
4. Are classes covered by my insurance?
   
5. Do you have scholarships available if I am having trouble affording classes?
   
6. What should I bring to class with me?
   
7. Who teaches the classes?
   
8. Is a tour included in classes?
   
9. What options are available during my labor and birth as well as my postpartum stay?
   
10. Is there an anesthesiologist on-call at the hospital at all times?
    
11. Will I be separated from my baby?
    
12. What services are available for breastfeeding support?
    
13. How can I request a copy of my or my child's birth certificate?

Answers

1. What kinds of childbirth classes are available?
   We have a number of class offerings available for first time parents as well as parents adding to their families. We offer classes for early pregnancy that discuss fetal growth and development, nutrition, and staying fit during pregnancy. Prepared Childbirth and Early Parenting provides information on labor, birth and the early weeks of postpartum and parenting. This is offered in a six week series as well as a condensed weekend class. We also offer breastfeeding classes on the basic “how-to’s” as well as preparing to return to work or school. Attending Infant Massage after your baby’s birth can be very rewarding. Many new parents find support in our New Parents Network as well as getting some exercise in the summer months with our “Walking Wednesdays” group.

2. How do I sign up for childbirth classes?
   You may register for class by logging on to our community calendar and class registration site or by calling (414) 963-WELL (9355) and registering over the phone. Payments may be made by phone.

3. When is the best time to sign up for classes?
   We encourage early registration. Classes have a tendency to fill quickly. Most women receive information about classes at their first or second visit. We highly encourage you to register early for a number of classes. Your baby’s birth will be here before you know it. We want you to have as much information as possible before the big day.

4. Are classes covered by my insurance?
   Your classes may be covered by your insurance carrier. When paying for classes, please request a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You may also be able to use monies from your health savings account to cover the cost of class. Please be sure to read your insurance information for coverage.

5. Do you have scholarships available if I am having trouble affording classes?
   If you are having difficulty affording classes, please contact the coordinator to discuss scholarship options. We want to make sure you receive your education without financial barriers.

6. What should I bring to class with me?
   The Childbirth and Early Parenting preparation classes incorporate many teaching strategies, including breathing and relaxation and floor exercise. Please bring at least one pillow and blanket to these classes. Also don’t forget to bring your education binder “A Guide to Caring for You and Your New Family” that you should have received from your health care provider at an early prenatal visit.

7. Who teaches the classes?
   We have many experienced educators on the Perinatal Education Staff. They have a wide variety of backgrounds from Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and Neonatal Intensive Care nursing, to Social Work, Lactation Consultation, as well as Certified Childbirth Educators. The Perinatal Education Staff prides itself on competent and compassionate educators dedicated to helping you make informed choices about your care through knowledge of many alternatives in health care today.

8. Is a tour included in classes?
   A tour of the Birthing Service area is included in the Prepared Childbirth and Early Parenting Series, The Weekender, and the Refresher Class. At the Milwaukee Hospital this includes touring the Perinatal Assessment Center, Labor and Delivery Unit, Antepartum Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the Mother Baby Unit. You may also schedule a tour by calling (414) 963-WELL (9355) for the Milwaukee Hospital.

9. What options are available during my labor and birth as well as my postpartum stay?
   We want to welcome you as you begin your journey through labor and birth while at Columbia St. Mary’s. Our Milwaukee campus offers comfortable birthing rooms. We offer wireless telemetry monitoring, birthing balls, as well as aromatherapy options for labor and birth. Our Mother Baby unit provides comfortable rooms where you may room-in with your baby while recovering. Your partner may request a cot if staying over night and will receive a complimentary guest meal during your stay. Our nurses are well trained in helping get breastfeeding off to a good beginning with the help of our Certified Lactation Consultants.

10. Is there an anesthesiologist on-call at the hospital at all times?
    Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital offers 24 hour access to anesthesiologists. The Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Milwaukee has an anesthesiologist in house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    
    
11. Will I be separated from my baby?
    Columbia St. Mary’s staff knows the importance of keeping babies close to their mothers after birth. We encourage parents to be involved with their babies’ as much as possible right after birth. Families stay together when transferred from our Labor and Delivery Unit to the Mother Baby Unit. Following Cesarean Births, we continue to keep babies with their mothers in the Recovery Room.

12. What services are available for breastfeeding support?
    The nursing staff at Columbia St. Mary's is very knowledgeable and skilled in helping mothers and babies initiate breastfeeding. In the event of breastfeeding problems or concerns, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are available at the hospital. Breast pumps and some breastfeeding supplies are available for sale at the hospital. If there are breastfeeding concerns after discharge, a telephone help-line as well as outpatient consultations (with a physician’s order) are available.

13. How can I request a copy of my or my child's birth certificate?
    Columbia St. Mary's cannot issue copies of birth certificates. Copies of birth certificates can be requested from the County Clerk in the county where you or your child was born or from the State of Wisconsin Vital Records, Department of Health & Family Services. Below is a link to the State of Wisconsin's Web page on birth certificates that includes instructions on obtaining an official copy. http://dhfs.wi.gov/VitalRecords/birth.htm