Healthy Beginnings (Prenatal education)

Healthy Beginnings is a free prenatal education program designed to meet your personal needs during and after pregnancy. The program includes one-on-one visits with a nurse who will provide information about your baby’s development and help you meet the physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy. Healthy Beginnings is also a resource for breastfeeding support and infant care assistance after baby is born.

We encourage three Healthy Beginnings to provide you with education and support for a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and healthy baby. The visits are planned at the beginning of your pregnancy, at 24-28 weeks, and at 34-36 weeks. We can assist you in scheduling these, and additional visits as needed, along with your regular doctor's appointments.

Who Can Participate in Healthy Beginnings?
Visits with the nurses at Healthy Beginnings are free of charge and are available to patients of doctors affiliated with the Mid Dakota Clinic Center for Women or any Mid Dakota Clinic provider. During your first visit, you will receive a book with detailed prenatal information and an invitation to call us with your questions. Information about pregnancy and adoption resources will be provided in some instances to help the birth mother make an informed decision.

What Will You Learn at your Healthy Beginnings Visits?

First Visit
You will receive a book with detailed prenatal information. We’ll talk about routine tests and visits, nutrition, vitamins and medications, and when you will begin to feel movement. If you smoke, we offer smoking cessation information and resources to help you quit. You can also receive information about pregnancy and parenting resources that are available in our community. We’ll review warning signs, give tips on ways to relieve morning sickness and exercise safely, and even help you select a doctor if you don’t have one.

Second Visit
We’ll discuss second and third trimester fetal development, mid-pregnancy physical and emotional changes and complications, final preparations, and pre-registration for CHI St. Alexius Health hospital. We will also discuss registration for classes, such as childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, and sibling classes.

Third Visit
We’ll cover your hospital stay, your baby, and any other questions you may have. Taking the time to plan for birth helps you feel more prepared for your delivery.

Additional Education
Through Healthy Beginnings, you will learn about classes and additional education opportunities that are available to help you and your family prepare for birth and the exciting journey beyond.

Most education is free of charge, while some classes require a nominal fee.

Breasfeeding education during and after pregnacy
Free lactation consultations with a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Baby Basics (bathing, diapering, cord care, swaddling, holding, bottle-feeding)
DVDs available for checkout
Infant/Child Choking & CPR (certification not provided)
Sibling Class - What About Me? ($15 for first child, $5 each additional child)
Safe Sleep for Babies

Questions

Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Call your regular OB/GYN doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant first. If he or she is out of the office, call 701.712.4500 or 800.472.2113 and request to speak with the OB/GYN doctor on call.

After 5 pm, Weekends & Holidays
For urgent questions during these hours only, call CHI St. Alexius Health Labor & Delivery at 701.530.4250 or 800.247.1159.

Emergencies
Report to the nearest emergeny room.

For Non-Urgent Questions
You can send a message to your OB/GYN provider using the Mid Dakota Clinic Patient Portal at mymdcchart.com.

To Make an Appointment
Your doctor may refer you to Healthy Beginnings at the Center for Women or you may make an appointment yourself. For appointments, call 701.712.4501 or 855.530.6001.

Healthy Beginnings (Prenatal education)

Get answers securely and confidentially with My MDC Chart / Patient Portal

Get answers securely and confidentially with
My MDC Chart / Patient Portal