Her Health Women’s Center in Siouxland is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for childbirth preparation classes, prompting the center to expand its offerings and update its facilities to accommodate more expectant mothers.
Nicole Hunt, the Parenting Program Coordinator, noted the increased interest, particularly for classes scheduled before September. “I don’t know if there’s a baby boom happening, but it feels like many people are eager to attend comfort classes before September,” Hunt said.
The center has long offered in-person classes to prepare mothers for childbirth, but the recent spike in demand has been remarkable. “Our first class had about 15 to 20 attendees, and we didn’t have enough space for everyone,” Hunt explained. To address this, the center remodeled its building to create more room for these popular sessions.
One of the most sought-after classes focuses on comforting techniques that involve the participation of a partner. Hunt emphasized the importance of hands-on experience in these sessions. “The reason this class is so popular is that it’s hard to find similar offerings locally. Expecting moms want their partners to learn alongside them,” she said.
These classes are offered free of charge to expecting mothers, thanks to community donations. The sessions cover a broad range of labor techniques, catering to various birth plans, whether it’s an epidural, natural birth, home birth, or hospital delivery.
In addition to in-person classes, online programs have also seen a rise in popularity, with over 130 women using them to prepare for childbirth. Christine Cappetta, Director of Programming Services, explained the value of these online resources: “The program guides them through pregnancy, what to expect during medical visits, and helps them prepare for both birth and parenting.”
As participants progress through the program, they earn points that can be redeemed in the center’s in-house boutique, which is stocked with essential baby items.
Her Health Women’s Center’s classes, open to the public, aim to ease the journey of bringing a child into the world. Reflecting on the long-term impact of these programs, Cappetta shared, “We have clients who return 10 to 12 years later, commenting on how impactful the program was.”
Given the rising demand, the center anticipates adding more classes this fall, offering sessions every three to four months to better serve the community.
