SWAN QUARTER — The Hyde County Health Department will host a prenatal class, giving soon-to-be parents valuable information about caring for their newborns before and after birth.

The class is set for Aug. 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hyde County Health Department and is free to participants. Mary Campbell, RN at Creative Choices Pregnancy Resource Center of Nags Head, will lead the class about carrying and birthing babies.

According to Jenna Brinn, pregnancy healthcare manager and nurse at the department, the class will cover a range of topics related to pregnancy, including things expectant mothers should be doing during pregnancy to ensure the health and safety of their unborn, as well as tests mothers can expect to undergo during the pregnancy like genetic testing, ultrasounds and other screenings. The class will guide expectant mothers on how to use non-pharmacological practices to ease discomfort associated with pregnancy like back pain, difficulty sleeping and nausea. It will also teach them what to expect at the hospital upon labor and delivery.

In addition, Campbell will speak to attendees about newborn care and breastfeeding and educate mothers on how to focus on breathing, relaxation techniques and the benefits of having a support person assist them throughout their pregnancy, she said.

“The purpose of prenatal classes are to prepare the mother for labor and delivery,” Campbell said. “For most women, this is their first time being checked into a hospital. Essentially, the more that we help the mom understand what to expect during her labor and delivery, the more we are able to assist in taking away the fear of the unknown.”

Campbell said mothers should become familiar with the importance of follow-up visits, immunization schedules and well-baby visits once they have delivered in order to ensure the health of the baby.

“During the prenatal classes, we make clients aware of danger signs of pregnancy and make sure they are knowledgeable of the importance in contacting their physician due to the potential effects these signs and symptoms may have on not only the mother, but her baby as well.

“When it comes to educating the parents on newborn care, the goal is to educate them in being able to identify what is normal versus abnormal behavior. It is extremely important for guardians to know the newborns’ behavior well, so that they can contact their pediatrician, family nurse practitioner or family doctor immediately.”

Brinn said the class had been held at the department once previously, but not regularly. However, with 30 expectant mothers in Hyde County, the health department hopes to continue its prenatal education every three to six months due to a lack of education in the county.

“Prenatal classes are pretty standard in other areas,” Brinn said. “We don’t offer any and no other places in the county offers maternity care.”

Hyde County Health Department is located at 1151 Main St., Swan Quarter. For more information, call 252-926-4200.