April 10, 2008

EARH plans free parenting courses

Community Health Education and Resources (CHER) will offer free parenting courses to several rural communities throughout eastern Washington, including Ritzville.

These courses will provide soon-to-be and new parents with information and skills needed to give families a strong beginning.

The Prepared Childbirth course is set for June 2, 9, 16 and 23 in the East Adams Rural Hospital conference room.

This class is designed for expectant parents and covers the management of labor, breathing techniques, role of the support person and care of the mother and baby after birth.

To register or for more information, contact Vicky Johnson at EARH at 659-5404.

Made possible through a grant from the March of Dimes, courses on prepared childbirth, breastfeeding, developmental milestones, pre-conception and childhood nutrition are available for parents to take at local community hospitals through the Northwest TeleHealth network.

The CHER parenting courses help parents prepare for childbirth and care for their baby. With a focus on self-confidence and applicable skills, courses are taught by caring instructors with an understanding of the joys and challenges of being a parent.

Participation in childbirth and parenting courses increase success and help new parents feel confident in their abilities. Many times, rural communities do not have access to these courses.

Through the Northwest TeleHealth network, a unique video conferencing network for health care purposes, rural parents will have the same opportunities to attend courses.

CHER is a service of Inland Northwest Health Services. INHS is a non-profit corporation sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane for providing collaboration in health care services.