Educational Programs

The Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home requires that all mothers work on their GED or attend school. Unwed mothers that have obtained a high school diploma can attend the local college or find employment as long as they are able to attend the in-house education classes. Classes are scheduled four to five nights a week lasting from one to two hours each.

We offer in-house education in the following areas:

PRENATAL

Maternal and Fetal Development during the first, second and third trimester.
Stages of labor and delivery.
Over view of prenatal care and doctor appointments.
Common discomforts of pregnancy.
Warning signs of pre-term labor.
What to do when warning signs are experienced.

STD’S AND THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY

Discusses STD’s – What they are, incubation period, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications and prevention.
Discusses short-term, long-term effects of “street” prescription and over the counter drugs on mother and infant.
Discusses short-term, long-term effects of alcohol on mother and infant.
Discusses short-term, long-term effects of smoking on mother and infant.
Discusses short-term, long-term effects of caffeine on mother and infant.
Encouragement to seek help for any unhealthy behavior.

NUTRITION FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY

Discusses the importance of a proper and balanced diet to the development of a healthy baby and preservation of mother's health.
Discusses specific amounts and areas of weight gain during a healthy pregnancy
Explanation of food groups and the food pyramid.
Discussion of needed nutrition while breast feeding

PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION

Discusses concept of sexuality as part of whole person and respect for the gift of fertility.
Explain male fertility.
Explain female menstrual cycle and fertility.
Explain male reproductive anatomy and role in creating life.
Explain female reproductive anatomy and role in creating life.
Explain how and where and when conception occurs.
Explain how and where and when implantation occurs.
Review how fraternal and identical twins are conceived.
Discusses respect of the ability to create new life and the differences between committed love and infatuation.

LAMAZE — LABOR AND DELIVERY

Discusses false labor and Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Instruction for timing labor
Discussion of signs that true labor is beginning- including
- mucus plug and bloody show
- effacement and dilation
- membrane rupture
Early labor — what happens and what to do.
Active labor — what happens and what to do.
Transition stage — what happens and what to do.
Discussion of Cesarean birth- reasons and procedures.
Discussion of pushing, breathing, birth and expulsion of the placenta.
Explanation of various medications and procedures for pain relief during labor and delivery.
Explanation of medical equipment and procedures for labor and delivery.
Tour of the OB department at the hospital.

PARENTING

Discusses definitions of a family.
Discusses functions of a family — socialization, language , values, rules, race, religion and ethnicity.
Fun side of being a family.
Explain — impact families can have on resident's self-esteem.
Developing baby's personality — what sort of person will my baby become?
Child's spiritual training — teaching your child the qualities of living that reflect Christ — self control, patience, joy, obedience, meekness, gentleness, faith, kindness, goodness, peace, love. Also in discussion will be the appropriate and inappropriate types of love.
Loving correction — what to do instead of shaking, spanking or hitting along with teaching alternative forms of discipline.
Preventing child abuse
- definition of child abuse
- different forms of child abuse
- characteristic of child molesters
- precautions that parents should take in an effort to prevent child abuse
Discusses ways to avoid domestic violence and healing.

BASIC DECISION MAKING

Looking ahead — what do you see for yourself.
A resident's dreams — what do you want for yourself.
Life line — looking back.
Formula for making good decisions.
A value system.
Asks and explores the question "Is Parenting for me now?"
Alternatives — using the new skills that the resident has learned, she can start applying to her life and that of her child's.

NEWBORN CARE AND FEEDING YOUR BABY

Discuss and explain the basics of breast-feeding.
Discuss and explain the basics of bottle-feeding.
Discuss methods and timing of introduction to solid foods.
Discuss sleeping patterns of an infant.
Discuss and demonstrate bathing and hygiene for male and female infants.
Discuss skin care — diaper rash, mileu, and cradle cap.
Demonstrate proper diapering of an infant (disposable and cloth diaper).
Demonstrate and explain proper use of bulb syringe.
Discuss cleanliness, room temperature, clothing, visitors and safety for an infant.
Demonstrate and explain positioning of an infant.
Discuss calming methods for a fussy infant.

HOME MAINTENANCE

Discusses the importance of a clean environment for you and your infant.
Discuss and demonstrate proper cleaning methods.
Discuss the proper use and disposal of cleaning products

SELF-ESTEEM

Defines self-esteem. What is it?
Pinpoints good thing about yourself — becoming your own best friend.
Discusses ways to nurture good self-esteem.
Discusses ways to recognizing anger and ways to control anger.
Explores different personalities and how they interact with each other.
Discuss the importance of morals and a value system.
Discusses ways to find happiness within yourself.

LIFE SKILLS

Discusses how to look for a job.
Discusses how to write a resume.
Discusses how to dress for an interview — clothing, make up, decorum.
Discusses how to apply for a job.
Discusses how to apply to a college.
Discusses job training--on going education, job skills.
Discusses how to set up a budget.
Discusses how to set up a checking account and a saving account.
Discusses how to find an apartment. Lease signing and deposits to pay.
Discusses how to set up appointments — doctors.
Discusses the importance of keeping appointments and getting to work on time.

GROUP

This is a time where residents meet together once a week with a counselor. It is a time for themselves where they can discuss their dreams, goals, fears. Here the residents can express their anger and problems in a safe and confidential environment. The counselor helps to redirect negative attitudes and focus the residents on to more positive solutions.

CHASTITY

Definition of chastity.
Asks the question-why wait? Purpose of sex outside of marriage and married sex.
Purpose of sexual activity. Is it right or wrong.
Discusses negative consequences of sex outside of marriage. Regrets of having sex.
Definition of abstinence.
Discusses society's view of sex versus God's view of sex- establish a moral standard.
Will consider the physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of practicing chastity and having sex outside of marriage. The positive and negative consequences to each.
Discuss why chastity is the choice to controlling sexuality.
Discuss what love is and what it isn't.
Discuss qualities of love demonstrated in a married sexual relationship and the qualities of lust which are demonstrated in sex outside of marriage.
Discusses four ways to avoid lustful relationships.
Learn dating guidelines that will help residents to practice chastity--ten steps to a committed relationship.
Discusses ways of explaining a decision to practice chastity to resident's boyfriend.
Explain difference between physically expressing affection and arousing a person.
Find acceptable ways to physically express affection during various stages of a relationship.
Discuss impact of child's father and child will have on resident's dating relationships.

Depending on resident's time and interest there are alternative classes that can be programmed into a resident's schedule: crafts, sewing, quilting. All classes are taught by professionals in our community.

Hosted by Casey Designs