Family  Education

Science is organized knowledge; wisdom is organised life.

-Immanuel Kant

The exercise classes and lectures at our family education will help you adapt to pregnancy and prepare yourself for delivery and the post-delivery period. At the beginning of the pregnancy we advise you to join our classes on pregnancy and healthy nutrition. Starting from the 22nd-23rd week of pregnancy, we advise visiting the lectures covering the actual labour and the post-delivery period. You can attend the lectures alone or bring a support person (husband, parent, relative, friend).

Register for the lectures by calling 666 1900 or via our website at HERE.

If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation in a timely fashion because the number of seats is limited.

Introduction of the house

With a midwife, you can see all rooms and departments where you will be spending time during your childbirth. We gather at the ground floor next to the wardrobe and the first stop will be at the reception. We talk about the practical questions: when to arrive at the maternity hospital, which door to enter from, what to bring, how parking is organized during childbirth, etc. Then we move along to the 2nd floor and look at the furnishing of the delivery room and all the tools available to use during childbirth. We finish the tour in the post-delivery rooms, where we talk about the first days of the newborn and getting older.

View the maternity hospital virtual tour HERE

Information about breastfeeding can be viewed in the video

Pregnancy

This lecture covers the changes in the body during pregnancy, possible ailments and their alleviations. We talk about mood changes, the effects of the new situation and coping with family relations. We also provide nutritional advice.

Healthy nutrition

During pregnancy, the need for vitamins and minerals differs from the regular needs of an adult. Nutrition impacts the development of the foetus and its growth as well as the health of the mother. We talk about the increase in body weight during pregnancy, the necessary daily calorie intake, vitamins and minerals, food safety and alleviation of ailments in relation to food during pregnancy.

Exercise and discussion circle for preparing for a natural birth

The exercise and discussion group designed to prepare for childbirth gives you a good opportunity to learn about the processes taking place in your body and mind and to use your internal resources to cope with labour pains. We address topics related to pregnancy and delivery and also do bodily exercises (stretching and extension, exercises of the abdomen, back and pelvis and also breathing and relaxation exercises).

Yoga and discussion circle for pregnant women

This class teaches you to relax and prevents and alleviates ailments during pregnancy. The breathing and relaxations exercises learned during yoga are of great help during childbirth. The yoga discussion circle covers topics regarding pregnancy and childbirth and we also do yoga exercises. Yoga classes are suitable for the whole duration of pregnancy up until childbirth.

Childbirth

A midwife will give an overview of the natural course of childbirth. We introduce methods of self-help that will help you feel better during the actual delivery. We demonstrate various positions. We talk about the activities of the midwife during childbirth and the surveillance of the newborn during the first hours after birth.

Alleviating labour pains

A midwife will talk about the specifics of labour pains, the reasons behind them and the possibilities of alleviation. We practise breathing and demonstrate massage techniques. In addition, we will talk about the use of water during childbirth and the options of alleviating pain.

Water birth

Indications and contraindications. We talk about the advantages of performing a water birth to both the mother and the child. A film about water birth will be shown.

Active birth. Drafting a plan for childbirth

In the active birth lectures we encourage the future mother to go along with the processes taking place in her body and we emphasize the importance of proper breathing and physical activity. We also talk about the rhythm of childbirth and the pains associated. Why draft a plan for a childbirth and what to write down? An active birth is conducted much more swiftly with the participation of a midwife. It may become a cooperation which results in a mutual natural attitude towards childbirth.

Lecture cycle “Preparation for active birth”

Janet Balaskas, a British active birth activist has said, “Active birth is not a new invention. It is just a normal way of describing a normal delivery and birth and the ways a woman behaves when she’s following her instincts and the physiological logic of her body.” Active birth is a form of delivery where the woman follows her instincts and the physiology of her body and actively partakes in the process of childbirth. The prerequisite of an active birth is the will and skill of a woman to listen to her body. It is very important to achieve a spiritual and physical balance through feeling the body, easing the process of a normal birth. The aim of our lectures is to teach you more about active birth, its nature and your possibilities to prepare better for this wonderful event. The preparation consists of two discussion circles/lectures and one class based on exercises/yoga and breathing exercises. Through 3 meetings we will try to give you an idea of the physiological process of birth, the nature of labour pain and to teach you how to move during childbirth, the various positions and breathing methods. Wear comfortable clothes so as to be feel as good as possible during the exercises.

  1. The nature of active birth (discussion circle – the physiology of childbirth)
  2. Labour pain and coping with it (practical + discussion circle)
  3. Yoga exercises (positions to be assumed during childbirth, breathing)

For the support person

Topics: the periods of childbirth and assistance during those periods; the possibilities and needs of help for the support person during childbirth; massage techniques during the dilation period. We learn breathing during childbirth and give advice as to what to concentrate on at any given period of the delivery.

Breastfeeding

In this class we talk about the position and technique of breastfeeding, the necessity of breastfeeding for both the mother and the child. We cover the possible problems: the tenderness of breasts and nipples, fissures, mastitis a.k.a. breast infection. Nutritional recommendations for a breastfeeding mother.

Post-delivery period

In this class the midwife talks about the changes taking place in the body.

Topics: recovering from childbirth; taking care of oneself (hygiene); possible changes in mood; sex life after childbirth and contraceptive methods; the feeling after epidural anaesthesia (back injection) or a c-section; possible indications of problems.

Post-delivery discussion circle

The new post-childbirth lifestyle needs practice and getting used to. Most common problems and questions associated with the health of the child and the mother during the post-delivery period are addressed. At the class you can try various exercises for the pelvic floor muscles and for alleviating the child’s gas pains. The subjects depend on the topicality of the problems at hand. Mostly we focus on the three months following childbirth. All women with newborns are welcome. Bring a blanket or a sheet for the baby.

Care for the newborn

What to look out for during the first hours after birth: assessment of the child’s condition; the yellowness of the newborn; care (navel, nose, eyes) and hygiene; changing diapers; clothing (practice on dolls); the child’s safety; normal changes in body weight during the first weeks; test programs during the hospital period.

Vaccination

A paediatrician will introduce the national vaccination plan by different illnesses.

The goal is to increase the expectant mothers’ and fathers’ awareness on vaccination of toddlers but also themselves. Senior students of the medical faculty who have undergone special training on the topic will carry out the lecture and discussion circle. The lectures are based on scientifically proven data and will cover subjects such as the working mechanisms of vaccines, vaccination plans, illnesses that can be prevented through vaccination and vaccinations not part of the general plan. The more common myths and opinions are also discussed along with any questions that may have arisen.

Legislature and the woman’ s rights

A social worker explains all the legal possibilities and benefits during and after pregnancy.

Indications of the start of childbirth and a film about the maternity hospital

We focus in more depth on the signs indicating going into labour and on when to come to the maternity hospital. A film about the work at the maternity hospital.

First aid of infants

What kind of accidents can happen to infants and toddlers? How to avoid injuries – the biggest threats to a child. Where to get help, how to give first aid?

Gymnastics for babies

  • Aged 1-3 months.
  • Aged 4-5 months.
  • Aged 6-9 months.
  • Aged 9-12 months.

Exercising or gymnastics supports the mental and physical development of a child. In the group classes of baby gymnastics, we use age-appropriate exercises in order to help develop the baby’s normal activity patterns. We help the baby learn how to feel their body, develop coordination, balance, muscles and joints. All this in order to build a foundation for the development of a healthy and active child. Groups are formed for one month based on the child’s age and physical skills.

By partaking in baby gymnastics the parent will learn exercises which support the physical development of the child and how to apply them on a daily basis.

Please bring a blanket for the baby.

  • Classes taking place at the Järve unit (Energia 8) and the Magdaleena unit Good Health Centre (Pärnu mnt 104, D-corpus)

Water aerobics for pregnant women

Water aerobics is a great way to stay in shape during pregnancy. Water aerobics helps develop all the muscle groups, joints, improves heart activity and breathing. Water massages the whole body, improves metabolism, encourages blood circulation and normalizes the blood pressure. During pregnancy you will feel lighter in water and the minimal gravitational force impacting the body will make moving much easier. The foetus will also receive nutrients and oxygen better.

Individual swimming for infants

In the individual swimming class your baby will learn to stay afloat in water, move on the back and stomach, jump into water and practice the diving reflex. All kinds of fun and necessary tools such as balls, swimming rings and cuffs are at our disposal.

Bring your baby to a swimming class starting from the age of two months. The water environment will calm the baby and helps them relax. Swimming brings a lot of joy and happiness to the life of the child and the mother and helps raise a healthier and stronger child.

In general, we recommend attending 1-3 individual classes before joining a group. That way you will give your child time to get used to the water environment.

Massage for infants

Necessary for all babies starting from the age of two months. Massaging stimulates the blood circulation, heart activity, respiration, improves metabolism, helps the child extract gases, increases appetite and contributes to a good night’s sleep. The elasticity, mobility and coordination of the muscles will improve.

Water gymnastics for babies

We recommend you start swimming your baby during the age of two months. Muscle tension of stressed babies will be relieved the more they swim. The water environment will help the child become more relaxed. Swimming brings a lot of joy and happiness to the life of the child and the mother and helps raise a healthier and stronger child.

Knowledge gives a sense of security. Family school helps prevent questions turning into problems. We wish that with us your pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery periods would be as enjoyable as possible.

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