Central Coast hospitals provide virtual classes, birthing center tours and support groups for expectant mothers

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. - Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) and Marian Regional Medical
Center (MRMC) are helping keep expectant mothers connected through classes and support groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospitals are continuing to prioritize perinatal education so that women preparing to welcome a baby into their lives feel supported and informed about the delivery process and beyond.

“We want to continue providing the excellent prenatal education we always have, despite the pandemic,” says Marian Regional Medical Center Perinatal Education Coordinator, Jeannie Rife, RN. “Using an online platform is meeting a need within our community for expectant moms, and we are grateful to have the ability to keep them connected and comfortable about the birthing process.”

Dignity Health said the classes and support groups are hosted electronically through Zoom and Webex and are offer both comfort and education to expectant parents.

Tours of the birthing centers, childbirth preparation, infant care basics, and breastfeeding classes are all being offered online, making it convenient for parents who are staying home and helping to reduce the risk of exposure to parents and centers.

“These pregnant families are going through so much protecting themselves, they deserve extra kindness and compassion,” says French Hospital Medical Center Nurse and Childbirth Education Coordinator, Tamra Winfield-Pace, RN. “Virtual classes help the connection. These are special little babies being born and that is a gift of hope we all can use right now.”

For more information about these perinatal classes, you can visit Dignity Health's website here.