San Juan Regional Medical Center is offering free classes for expecting parents and teenagers.
“Being a new parent is a big life change and you are responsible for another human being, so it’s important to gain the skills that you need,” Kathy Coleman, childbirth patient educator at SJRMC told KOB.
Coleman helped revamp the classes so women in San Juan County could have better access to resources that involve childbirth.
“Relieving anxiety is a big part of the program,” Coleman said. “Because knowledge is power. If you understand something you’re less likely to be afraid of it and we want to help mothers.”
SJRMC is offering courses throughout the year that cover each trimester of pregnancy as well as childbirth, newborn care and teen pregnancy.
“Our providers felt like it’s a huge need in our community – teen pregnancies have been going down over the years, but it still happens,” Coleman said. “So, we want to make sure that we are giving that mom the best shot at having a good life, and also that her baby has a shot at a good life.”
“If we can offer them a resource that helps them get information and help them get better self-care, then that self-care leads to a better pregnancy and a healthier baby.”