Women's Class Schedule

The birth of a baby is an exciting and life changing experience. The staff at Mercy Health Partners wants to help you during this time by providing quality maternity care.

Education is an integral part of our family-centered approach. We want you to know and understand as much as possible about the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Therefore, our educational program is designed to provide comprehensive and practical instruction for our maternity patients and their families.

All classes are designed to allow time for discussion and interaction. They are directed by registered nurses and may include guest speakers who are experts in their fields.

Click here for a list of commonly asked questions when signing up or choosing a childbirth class. If your question is not listed in the FAQ please call Janet Elrod, RN, BSN, the childbirth educator, at (865) 545-7975 for more information.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and for our OB Orientation Tours. Class space is limited. For more information or to register online, click here or call (865) 632-5200 (toll free 877-368-7362). In the event of inclement weather, you will be contacted as soon as possible. All class dates are subject to change.

Complimentary parking is available in the employee lot in front of the Women's Pavilion on Huron Street.

Weekday classes – First Floor, Classroom
Weekend classes - Joe & Judy Conference Center - Ground Floor, Women's Hospital Entrance
Complimentary parking is available.

All fees should be paid at the first class session. Payment is by cash or check only. If paying in cash, please bring exact change. Make checks payable to Mercy Health Partners.

Special Delivery: Childbirth at a Mercy hospital
These classes are held for three consecutive weeks. Topics include labor, delivery, anesthesia, cesarean sections, newborn appearance and care, postpartum care, and safety. This is not intended as a substitute for Lamaze. A tour of labor and delivery is included in this series. Breathing techniques will not be practiced in this class. Class fee: $65. TennCare fee available.

**IMPORTANT - Classes fill quickly. Please call 1-877-368-7362 or 865-632-5200 to verify there is still space available.**

Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's Women's Pavilion
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Mondays, September 13, 20, 27 Register

No series in October

Mercy Medical Center West
Three-class series, 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Register
No series in September

Mondays, October 4, 11, 18

Special Delivery Saturday Class
Saturday, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (with one-hour lunch break)
This class is a fast-paced, condensed version of the three-week Special Delivery series listed above. Topics include labor, delivery, anesthesia, coping techniques, cesarean sections, newborns, postpartum care, and safety. This class is not intended as a substitute for Lamaze. There will be a tour of the facility during this class. Class fee: $65. TennCare fee available.

September 11

October 2

Advanced Labor Support
one night class
This class is designed to teach couples non medicinal techniques to help them cope with labor. Not meant as a substitute for Lamaze, these techniques are helpful for those desiring natural childbirth as well as those desiring anesthesia. Topics include coping techniques, breathing and relaxation exercises, visualization, and comfortable positions for labor. Please wear comfortable clothes, bring two pillows and be prepared to move. Class fee: $30. TennCare fee available.

Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's Women's Pavilion
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

August 19 ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

August 23

October 21

Click here to register

Mercy Medical Center West

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Breastfeeding Class
6:00-9:00 p.m.
This one-day class will provide you with essential information on breastfeeding your baby. Topics include proper latch, building a milk supply, pumping, and how to tell if your baby is eating enough. Dads-to-be or another support person are encouraged to attend. Class fee: $30. TennCare fee is available.

September 7

October 5

Click here to register for one of these sessions.

September 14

Click here to register for one of these sessions.

Infant CPR
This class teaches the basic steps to be taken in a life-threatening emergency for babies up to twelve months old. Follow along with the video as you practice resuscitation and choking child rescue on a mannequin. A CPR instructor will observe your technique and offer help if needed. This course will not certify you in CPR. Due to the design of this course, participants must be on time. Class fee: $15 per person. TennCare fee available.

August 24 ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

September 16

October 7

7:00-8:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted

August 10 ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

September 9

October: TBA

Register

Sibling Classes (Ages 4 to 8 Years)
Designed to help brothers and sisters-to-be play safely with the new baby, this class includes an age appropriate tour of labor and delivery, story time, and play time with baby dolls. Topics include games to play with baby, baby safe toys, taking care of baby, and ways to help mom. We will make a special craft that your new baby will enjoy. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, cameras are welcome!

New for 2010 is the 2s and 3s little kids class, an abridged version of the big kids class. Class fee: $10 per family.

Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's Women's Pavilion
3:30-5:00 p.m.

Dates TBA

Mercy Medical Center West
2:00-3:30 p.m.

OB Orientation Tour
A tour of the Women’s Pavilion or Mercy Medical Center West is available at no cost to all expectant families planning their baby’s delivery at St. Mary’s or Baptist. The tour includes the Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) rooms.

Registration is required. If you will be attending the Special Delivery Series, Saturday Special Delivery Class, or the Sibling Class, you do not need to sign up for a separate tour. Please meet in the Women's Pavilion or Mercy Medical Center West, Women's Entrance Ground Floor Lobby to begin the tour.

September 9

October TBA

Click here to register for one of these sessions.

Mercy Medical Center West

Click here to register for one of these sessions.

Boot Camp for new Dads

Studies show children whose fathers help care for them develop higher IQ’s and adapt better socially. Dads treasure moments like these. New dads may need a little help learning about things such as crying babies and how to support mom with breastfeeding. This one-day training class is taught by real dads who bring their own babies for hands on practice. Spend 3-hour workshop with us and you will leave more prepared and confident in your ability to be a great dad. Class fee $30.

August 12 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

November 20 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Click here to register for one of these sessions.

The Happiest Baby on the Block - NEW
The Happiest Baby on the Block program features content and new instructional methods to teach the "cuddle cure" - the perfect mix of the 5 S's that can soothe even the most colicky infant. This program is dedicated to the generous hearts of all parents and to their sweet children who enter the world with such trust. Class participants receive a parent kit including a DVD and a soothing sounds CD to allow continued practice at home. Class fee $30. Class time is 6 - 8 p.m.

October 12

Click here to register.

Safe Sitter
Safe Sitter is a medically accurate child care curriculum written by a pediatrician. Designed for 11-to-13-year-olds, this popular course teaches safe and nurturing childcare techniques, behavior management skills, and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. Safe Sitter is a competency-based, highly structured interactive program. Cost is $20. Click here for more information on Safe Sitter.

Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's Women's Pavilion
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Dates TBA

Car Seat Checkpoints
Did you know that four out of five car seats are used incorrectly? Attend a car seat checkpoint. You might just save your child’s life. Checkpoints are held the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Knoxville Police Department at 917 E. Fifth Ave. Click here to download a flyer and directions. No registration is needed. Sponsored by Safe Kids and the Knoxville Police Department.

Pre- and Post-Natal Exercise at St. Mary’s Health & Fitness Center

Pre-natal and post-natal fitness are great ways to reduce the stress pregnancy places on the body. With a physician's exercise recommendation, we offer a discounted temporary three-month membership to Mercy Health & Fitness Center. Click here to print off a physician's recommendation form that can be taken to your physician to sign. Bring this form to Mercy Health & Fitness Center to discuss your membership options. All of Mercy Health & Fitness Center Instructors and Personal Trainers are equipped to work with pre-natal and post-natal clientele.

During pregnancy, we recommend getting involved in water fitness classes. The pool water takes the stress off your back and joints while you get a great cardio and strength workout. Personal training and fitness classes may be modified to accommodate pregnancy. Yoga and Pilates are other popular forms of exercise during pregnancy. Fitness through your pregnancy helps improve blood pressure, blood sugar, quality of sleep, posture, mood, energy, endurance, and even muscle tone. There is even evidence that it helps improve your labor and delivery.

Get back in shape after childbirth without having to find a babysitter using our nationally certified Personal Trainers and our Private Training Studio. We can pair you up with other moms taking part in post-natal training. In pairs or small groups, you can get a discount on your training package. Our trainers will motivate and guide you safely through weights and cardio at a comfortable pace, while burning calories and increasing your endurance and strength.