Classes and support

Edward-Elmhurst Health offers numerous resources and support for new moms and dads.

Tours of the Family Birthing Centers

The best way to get an idea of what is available at the hospital where you plan to give birth is to take a tour. We are currently offering in-person tours at both Edward Hospital (Naperville) and Elmhurst Hospital (Elmhurst), as well as a virtual option for each hospital. You should sign up for a tour for the hospital where you will be having your baby. On our in-person tours, your instructor will meet you near the front door of the hospital and take you to the Family Birth Center where you will be able to see the rooms and learn more about having a baby at our hospitals. On the virtual tours, your instructor will give you the same information in a PowerPoint format with photos/short video clips of the Family Birth Center.

Classes

We currently offer prenatal classes and support groups as either in-person or as a virtual option (with a live instructor).  We recommend that you sign up for your prenatal classes early in your 2nd trimester while there are still plenty of options available and plan to complete your classes by week 36 of your pregnancy.

Find a class

From breastfeeding basics to learning about childbirth, infant massage, infant CPR and more, Edward-Elmhurst classes keep you in the know. Please register early in your pregnancy because space is limited and classes fill up quickly.

Can't afford your prenatal classes?  You may qualify for assistance based on your income.
To talk to a Financial Counselor and find out if you qualify, please call 630-527-5307. If you already have Medicaid, call Class Registration at 630-527-6363 to register for free prenatal classes. 

Pregnancy classes

Steps to a Healthier Pregnancy - In this free, online class, you will learn about nutritional needs during pregnancy, exercises for pregnancy, common discomforts of pregnancy with tips to help, and potential hazards & warning signs to be aware of during pregnancy.

Register for this class

Childbirth classes

Preparing for Childbirth

Our childbirth classes help parents-to-be prepare for their baby’s birth by hearing about what to expect during labor and during their hospital stay.  Topics in all of our childbirth classes include pre-labor information, signs of labor, stages of labor, comfort techniques for use at home and in the hospital including breathing & relaxation, informed decision-making, what to expect on admission, pain relief including epidurals, vaginal birth and Cesarean Section delivery, recovery & postpartum issues. It is recommended that you also sign up for a virtual tour of the hospital where you will be giving birth—preferably prior to taking the childbirth class.

  • Childbirth Weeknight Series - This class meets on 2 consecutive weeks on the same weeknight (e.g. 2 Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.).  Please see class description when you register to determine the day of the week. Classes are available at Edward Hospital or at Elmhurst Hospital or virtually.
  • Childbirth Express – This is a one-day class on either Saturday or Sunday from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.  Classes are available at Edward Hospital or at Elmhurst Hospital or virtually.
  • Natural Childbirth - This program is designed to prepare families for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with an emphasis on natural pain relief techniques. The same topics are covered as in the other childbirth classes with additional information about exercise, anatomy, physiology, comfort measures and labor positions. Classes are taught on 2 consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. and are available at Elmhurst Hospital or virtually. (You do not have to deliver at Elmhurst Hospital in order to take this class.)

Childbirth Refresher - If you have previously taken a childbirth class or had a baby and would like a refresher on specific topics, please contact Susan.Bard@EEHealth.org for more information and to have your questions answered.

Cesarean Birth - This free e-learning class is for those who are anticipating having a scheduled Cesarean delivery. It includes a video and photos to familiarize you with what to expect before and after delivery. Recovery and postpartum issues are also covered. Register online for the class during the current month. You will receive an email with the link to the class which can be completed at your leisure (there is not a live instructor for this class). 

Multiples - Now a free e-learning class. Register online for the class during the current month. You will receive an email with the link to the class which can be completed at your leisure (there is not a live instructor for this class). This class covers information about having multiples at Edward Hospital and how  pregnancy and birth of multiples differs from that of a single baby.  We recommend that you also take a Prepared Childbirth class if this is your first pregnancy. If you have any questions about this class, please contact Susan.Bard@EEHealth.org.

 

Register for a childbirth class

Parenting and infant care classes

Babycare PLUS - Topics include basic baby care skills such as holding a newborn, swaddling, bathing & diapering a newborn, cord care, circumcision care, jaundice, and special techniques for comforting a fussy baby. Car seat safety for your newborn will be taught, and if you have already purchased a car seat, you are encouraged to bring the carrier portion to class for practice buckling in a baby correctly. Infant CPR will also be practiced (This is not a certification class). (Babycare class is also available as a virtual class. It does not include the Infant CPR portion of the class. You can register for a separate “CPR for Family & Friends” class below.)

Breastfeeding - This class is taught by an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) or a certified lactation counselor. Learn the basics of breastfeeding to help you and your baby get off to a good start! Topics include how breastfeeding works, correct latch-on and positioning, when to feed your baby, how to tell if baby is getting enough, breast care, common problems and tips, and pumping. Dads or partners are encouraged to attend! (also available as a virtual class)

Grandparenting - For new grandparents and grandparents-to-be to learn what's new and what's changed recently in baby care, while also learning new grandparenting skills. You will also learn the correct way to buckle up an infant in a car seat. (also available as a virtual class)

Infant and Child Safety - This is a free e-learning class which provides information on "baby-proofing" your home. Car seat safety for toddlers and older children is also covered. (CPR and First Aid are not covered in this class.)  This class consists of a PowerPoint file which you can access at any time.  It does not have a live instructor.

CPR for Family and Friends - This American Heart Association's Family & Friends CPR Course is a video-based classroom course which teaches adult Hands-Only™ CPR, Child CPR, Infant CPR and how to relieve choking in an adult, child or infant. Skills are taught using the AHA's research-proven Practice-While-Watching technique, which allows participants to practice skills while watching consistent, accurate modeling of skills performance on the DVD. Adult, child and infant skills are presented in three separate modules for added flexibility. (THIS IS NOT A CERTIFICATION COURSE) The Family & Friends CPR Course is for members of the general public who want to learn CPR and prefer to learn in an instructor-led or facilitated group environment. This course is for people who do NOT need a course completion card for a job or other requirements.

Register for a parenting or infant care class

Pre- and postnatal exercise classes 

If you have questions about our pre- or postnatal exercise classes at our fitness centers, please call 630-646-7913.

Support groups

The support groups at Edward-Elmhurst are a great way to get out of the house and meet other new parents, share questions and ideas, and get answers from professionals about the issues that concern you.

Cradle Talk (Naperville)

This informal support group is designed for parents and their newborns (0-6 months) to get together and share information, concerns and ideas (no siblings, please). Grandmas and relatives or friends are also welcome. A Mother/Baby nurse will lead the discussions and answer questions. We have a guest speaker most weeks on a topic of interest to parents. There will be breastfeeding support each session with either an IBCLC lactation consultant or a certified Lactation Counselor.

  • This group is free, and no registration is required. You do not have to deliver at our hospitals to attend our support groups.
  • Meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Click here to see the current schedule.
  • For more information, contact Susan.Bard@EEHealth.org

Mom and Baby Hour (Lombard)

Every new mom can use some support in the exciting but challenging adjustment to motherhood. Join us for Mom and Baby Hour where an experienced nurse and lactation consultant will guide conversations and answer questions and provide breastfeeding support.  Most weeks we will also have a guest speaker to present information on many different parenting topics. We welcome mothers and their infants (up to crawling), dad, grandmas, and others to join our group.

  • This group is free, and no registration is required. You do not have to deliver at our hospitals to attend our support groups.
  • Meets most Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Click here to see the current schedule.
  • For more information, contact Susan.Bard@EEHealth.org

Breastfeeding Support

We offer breastfeeding support as a part of our new mom support groups (Cradle Talk in Naperville and Mom & Baby Hour in Lombard). Join other breastfeeding moms for support and to have questions answered by an IBCLC lactation consultant from our Breastfeeding Center at Edward or our Breastfeeding Clinic at Elmhurst.

Learn more about our Breastfeeding Center (Edward) and our Breastfeeding Clinic (Elmhurst)

Nurturing Mom

A support group for new and expectant moms looking for support with the transition to parenthood as well as those experiencing symptoms of perinatal anxiety and/or depression.

  • Meets virtually twice per month.
  • Meets in-person in Naperville twice per month.
  • Meets in-person in Lombard once per month.
  • For more information or to attend, email Susan.Bard@EEHealth.org.

SHARE

This is a support group for parents who have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or early infant death.

  • Virtual Meetings: first, second, and fourth Tuesday of each month from 8 - 9:30 pm
  • For more information or to attend, email Susan.Villa@EEHealth.org 

Learn more about SHARE

Sharing HOPE (Having Optimistic Pregnancy Expectations)

A support group for couples who have experienced a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death, and are now pregnant or considering pregnancy.

  • Virtual Meetings: second and fourth Thursday of the month 8 - 9:30 pm
  • For more information or to attend, Susan.Villa@EEHealth.org

Learn more about Sharing HOPE

Pregnancy and baby locations