As part of a major renovation of its Birthing Center, Beaufort Memorial Hospital is enhancing its maternity services and offering new moms several free services.

Gift of Motherhood, a three-part series of classes that includes Prepared Childbirth, Newborn Infant Care and Breastfeeding, is now free to any mother-to-be. The classes are offered from 6 to 8 p.m. the first three Wednesdays of the month. The next series will begin Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Prepared Childbirth, the first in the series, covers natural childbirth methods, stages of labor and what to expect in the hospital labor room. Participants also will learn pain management techniques and how the birth partner can offer support during labor.

Up next is Newborn Infant Care. Designed to ease the transition from hospital to home, this two-hour class will provide new mothers with important information on how to care for their baby — and themselves — in the first few hours and weeks after birth. Dad’s role will be explored as well. Participants also will have the opportunity to talk with a local pediatrician about newborn care.

The final class on Breastfeeding will help you decide and plan how you want to nourish your baby from birth. Understanding how your body works with your growing baby will help reduce the anxiety of this important decision.

To register for the series of classes, call 843-522-5570.

Once they’re home from the hospital with their bundle of joy, new moms can get more information on nursing by calling Beaufort Memorial’s new Breastfeeding Hotline.  The number to call is 843-441-4586.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital offers the only maternity facility in the Beaufort County area with a Level II special care nursery. To learn more about the Birthing Center, visit www.bmhsc.org.
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