Information is empowering and that's what one labor and delivery nurse is doing for first time parents through her childbirth classes. As NY1's Thabie Sibanda reports, the nurse, with more than 30 years of experience, is helping parents to be prepared.
The Vasconis are expecting a baby girl early next year. But like many new parents, they're not sure what to expect
"I'm a first time mom so I really don't know anything," said Lauren Vasconi.
That's where Doreen Allen-Reyes comes in. For more than 30 years she's been preparing mothers for childbirth at Richmond University Medical Center through a non-traditional Lamaze class.
"A lot of people today think that we're breathing and rolling around on birthing balls which is not what's going on in there," said Allen-Reyes.
In the last two years, RUMC has expanded its capabilities as a mother-baby friendly hospital. This means there's no separate nursery and babies are immediately cared for in their mother's hospital room. Allen-Reyes says this education class empowers the parents with the knowledge they will need to take care of their bundle joy as soon as they enter the world.
"Knowledge is power. I think some people just think they're going to come in and get pain medication and have a baby," said Allen-Reyes.
"They gave you a lot of details that your friends don't tell you," said Vasconi.
Like information on cord-blood banking.
"That was something coming into this class I didn't really know what to think of that or how much of a benefit it is," said first-time parent Colleen Calimano.
"We try to make them excited and make them prepared and just let them come with knowledge and know a little bit of what to expect and so they feel confident with the choices that they make," said Calimano.
The $150 course is split into two sessions and is offered every month at the hospital. And it offers an in-depth tour of the labor & delivery suites too. If soon to be parents are interested in the class you must call the hospital ahead of time to reserve a spot at 718-818-4294.