Group Class for Expecting Mothers

Covenant Childbirth Education

As a parent, you may have a lot of questions – whether you’re having your first or third baby. At Covenant, we’re passionate about helping you find the answers so you can be prepared to welcome your newborn. That's why we offer a selection of comprehensive classes to help support you during your pregnancy and early parenthood. Get the extraordinary support you need with our childbirth education classes. Learn more about the classes offered below and check out our helpful resources to prepare for delivery and your newborn.


Tour the Birth Center

Schedule an in-person tour of the Covenant Birth Center. You'll have the opportunity to view the accommodations and ask questions.



Schedule a Visit


Childbirth Classes

Understanding Breastfeeding

One day, 2-hour course

This course covers all the basics of breastfeeding such as correct position, proper latching and how to know if baby is getting enough. The class is lead in person by one of certified lactation consultants. This in-person option provides the opportunity to practice skills and ask questions.

Course Topics Include:

  • How Breastfeeding Works
  • How to Breastfeed
  • When to Feed Your Baby
  • Getting Enough Milk
  • Breast Care
  • Breastfeeding Lifestyle

Upcoming Dates

Weekday Classes

4:00 – 6:00 pm 2/16/24, 3/4/24, 4/8/24, 5/7/24, 6/6/24, 7/8/24, 8/6/24, 9/5/24, 10/8/24, 11/7/24, 12/10/24

Weekend

Saturdays 12:45 – 2:45 pm 2/17/24, 3/30/24, 4/27/24, 5/18/24, 6/22/24, 7/20/24, 9/28/24, 10/26/24, 11/23/24, 12/21/24

Cost

$45 for single class or bundle pricing of $125 for 3 classes. Class bundle includes Understanding Breastfeeding, Understanding Your Newborn and Understanding Birth in-person classes (savings of $25).

Register

To register for this class, please call (989) 583-4135. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Understanding Breastfeeding eClass

Allow 2-3 hours to complete

This interactive online course covers the essentials of breastfeeding, including clear animation and plenty of video examples. It lets you know when to call for help and includes partner tips throughout. You will also have the opportunity to track feedings with an easy-to-use tracker!

This course includes the same content as the in-person class in a convenient virtual format.

Cost

$35 for single class or bundle pricing of $100 for 3 eClasses. eClass bundle includes Understanding Breastfeeding eClass, Understanding Your Newborn eClass and Understanding Birth eClass online classes (savings of $10).

Register for eClass

Register Online

Understanding Your Newborn

One day, 3-hour course

This course covers essential information for the first six weeks of your baby’s life and beyond. It includes video examples of bathing, feeding, and diapers and this in-person class allows you to practice with the guidance of one of our educators.

Course Topics Include:

  • Newborn Traits
  • Newborn Behaviors
  • Crying & Comforting
  • Feeding & Diapering
  • Bathing & Dressing
  • Newborn Health & Safety

Upcoming Dates

Weekday Classes

5:00 – 8:00 pm 2/28/24, 3/12/24, 4/11/24, 5/1/24, 6/4/24, 7/30/24, 8/21/24, 9/11/24, 10/10/24, 11/12/24, 12/4/24

Weekend

Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 2/17/24, 3/30/24, 4/27/24, 5/18/24, 6/22/24, 7/20/24, 9/28/24, 10/26/24, 11/23/24, 12/21/24

Cost

$45 for single class or bundle pricing of $125 for 3 classes. Class bundle includes Understanding Breastfeeding, Understanding Your Newborn and Understanding Birth in-person classes (savings of $25).

Register

To register for this class, please call (989) 583-4135. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Understanding Your Newborn eClass

Allow 2-3 hours to complete

This interactive online course covers essential information for the first 6-weeks of your baby’s life and beyond. It includes clear video examples of bathing, feeding and diapering, and lets you know when to call the doctor. It can also help you stay organized with a variety of checklists and trackers!

This course includes the same content as the in-person class in a convenient virtual format.

Cost

$35 for single class or bundle pricing of $100 for 3 eClasses. eClass bundle includes Understanding Breastfeeding eClass, Understanding Your Newborn eClass and Understanding Birth eClass online classes (savings of $10).

Register for eClass

Register Online

Understanding Birth

One day, 7-hour course or 3-week 2-hour course

This course covers essential information on labor, delivery, comfort techniques and more. The goal of the class is to help you and your support person understand the stages of labor and offers tools to help with the labor process. It also highlights what support people can do to help throughout the process. This class is lead in-person by one of our childbirth educators.

Course Topics Include:

  • Labor Process
  • Comfort Techniques
  • Medical Interventions
  • Vaginal & Cesarean Birth
  • Postpartum Care
  • Newborn Procedures & Care during the first few hours after birth.

Location

Classes are held at: Covenant Andersen
1020 Almira St.
Saginaw, MI 48602

Please feel free to park in Lot 17, Employee parking, located on Almira Street across from Covenant Andersen and enter the building through the lower door. The doors are locked, but a member of our education team will be there to let you in. If you should arrive after the start of class please call security at 989-583-6149. Please contact Childbirth Education at (989)583-4426 if you have questions.

Upcoming Dates

3-Week Sessions

February (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 2/8/24, 2/15/24 & 2/22/24
March (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesdays 3/6/24, 3/13/24 & 2/20/24
April (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesdays 4/2/24, 4/16/24 & 4/23/24
May (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 5/16/24, 5/23/24 & 5/30/24
June (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesdays 6/12/24, 6/19/24 & 6/26/24
July (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesdays 7/10/24, 7/24/24 & 7/31/24
August (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 8/8/24, 8/15/24 & 8/22/24
September (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Mondays 9/9/24, 9/16/24 & 9/23/24
October (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesdays 10/15/24, 10/22/24 & 10/29/24
November (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesdays 11/6/24, 11/13/24 & 11/20/24
December (3-Week Session) 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 12/5/24, 12/12/24 & 12/19/24

One day Class

Saturdays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 3/2/24, 4/20/24, 5/4/24, 6/1/24, 7/13/24, 9/7/24, 10/5/24, 11/2/24, 12/28/24

Cost

$60 for single class or bundle pricing of $125 for 3 classes. Class bundle includes Understanding Birth, Understanding Your Newborn, Understanding Breastfeeding in-person classes (savings of $25)

Register

To register for this class, please call (989) 583-4135. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Understanding Birth eClass

Allow 4-6 hours to complete

This interactive online course covers essential information on labor and more, and highlights ways support people can help throughout the process. You’ll also get a sense of what labor is really like as you watch several birth stories. You’ll even have an opportunity to create your own birth plan!

This course includes the same content as the in-person class in a convenient virtual format.

Cost

$40 for single class or bundle pricing of $100 for 3 eClasses. eClass bundle includes Understanding Breastfeeding eClass, Understanding Your Newborn eClass and Understanding Birth eClass online classes (savings of $10).

Register for eClass

Register Online

Childbirth eClass Bundle

Register for 3 eClasses at a discounted rate.

The Childbirth eClass Bundle includes the complete Understanding Breastfeeding eClass, Understanding Your Newborn eClass and Understanding Birth eClass online classes.

Cost

$100 for 3 eClasses, a savings of $10

Register for eClass

Register Online

Childbirth Class Bundle

Register for 3 Classes at a discounted rate.

The Childbirth Class Bundle includes the complete Understanding Breastfeeding Class, Understanding Your Newborn Class and Understanding Birth Class in-person classes.

Cost

$125 for 3 Classes, a savings of $25

Register

To register for the class bundle, please call (989) 583-4135. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Family & Friends® CPR AED & Choking

One day, 2-hour course

This 2-hour course is designed for parents, grandparents, and anyone else who wishes to learn CPR. This is not a certification course but rather a family and friends’ course to teach the essentials of CPR. The course covers infant and child choking & CPR, and adult CPR and AED.

Course Topics Include:

  • Adult CPR, AED Use & Choking
  • Child CPR, AED Use & Choking
  • Infant CPR & Choking

Upcoming Dates

Weekday Classes

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2/13/24, 2/27/24, 3/26/24, 4/18/2024, 4/30/2024, 5/2/2024, 5/21/2024, 6/17,2024, 7/16/24, 8/27/24, 9/19/24, 10/30/24, 11/26/24, 12/23/24

Weekend

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday 2/10/24, 3/16/24, 4/6/2024, 5/11/2024, 6/29/2024, 7/27/24, 9/7/24, 10/12/24, 11/16/24, 12/7/24

Cost

$20 per person

Register

To register for this class, please call (989) 583-4135. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Finanical Assistance

If payment is a hardship, please contact ChildbirthEducation@chs-mi.com or (989)583-4426.

What to Bring to the Hospital

Hospital Checklist for Mom

Documents

  • Photo ID (Driver's license or other ID)
  • Insurance Card
  • Name and Phone Number of Baby's doctor
  • Birth Plan, if you have one

Personal Items

  • Toiletries - Personal care items like toothbrush, lip balm, deodorant, hair brush, hair ties. Some items are provided by the hospital, like shampoo and lotion, but you may prefer using your own items.
  • Eye glasses/Contact lens case and solution, if you use these items.
  • Clothing - Robe, nightgown, slippers and socks. A comfortable outfit or two that is loose fitting and flat comfortable shoes. Underwear, nursing bra or comfortable bra and nursing pads.

Optional Labor Items

  • Comfort items - pictures, special pillow/blanket
  • Music - Mobile device that can play music you enjoy, headphones, earbuds or small speaker
  • Entertainment Material - Books, magazines, tablet, mobile phone or a laptop are helpful in early labor and throughout your stay. Don't forget a charger for devices requiring power.

Birth Certificate & Social Security Card

Birth certificate forms must be fully completed as soon as possible after delivery.

  1. Complete the hospital worksheet given to you in your postpartum room.
  2. Fill out the worksheet as much as you can.
  3. Our Birth Registrar will collect this paper from you after your delivery and have it typed. All mothers need to sign the baby’s typed birth certificate before leaving the hospital. Your baby’s social security card will automatically be applied for when you sign the birth certificate. The social security card will come to you in the mail in three to eight weeks. Anytime after 7-10 days, you can get a copy of the birth certificate at the courthouse – $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy. The Birth Registrar can give you an application to request a copy by mail.
  4. There are no free copies.
  5. If Your Baby is Born on Friday or Saturday:

    1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above.
    2. If a clerk does not contact you to sign a typed certificate, please have your nurse page the representative, you may call 989.583.4797, or you may have a hospital employee call the Birth Registrar.
    3. Single parents wanting to file paternity papers to add the father must call to set up an appointment. BOTH parents must be present to sign these documents. Please call and leave a message at 989.583.4797 so the Birth Registrar can return your call. A picture ID is required as the parents will be notarizing a legal document.

    Benefits of Establishing Paternity

    Take the First Step for Your Child

    • Identity: It is important for children to know who they are. Children deserve a chance to have a relationship with their family and to feel like they belong.
    • Money: It’s best when parents share the cost of taking care of their child. Plus, the law says both parents must support their children.
    • Benefits: Your child has a right to benefits from both parents, such as social security or veterans’ benefits.
    • Medical: Your child may be able to get health insurance from one or both parents and may benefit from knowing medical history of both parents.

    What Fathers Need to Know

    • Paternity = Legal Fatherhood
    • Before the dad’s name can go on the birth certificate at the hospital, unmarried couples must:
      • Complete a voluntary Affidavit of Parentage (AOP).
      • Understand that by signing the AOP, the child’s paternity is legally established.
      • Know it is free to complete the AOP at the time of birth. However, if you complete it later there is a $50 fee to add the father’s name to the birth certificate at the courthouse.
    • If the mom is married to a man who is not the biological father of the child, the law says the husband is the legal father. A different man cannot use the AOP.
    • The Michigan Office of Child Support can help with genetic testing and a court order to establish paternity and child support.

    What Fathers Need to Do

    • Read the entire Affidavit of Parentage (AOP), including the section about your rights and responsibilities.
    • The father must call 989.583.4797 after the baby is delivered for an appointment to sign affidavit of parentage papers. The call can be any time of the day or night. A Birth Registrar will then return your call.
    • Both parents must have a valid photo ID with them at the hospital. Parenting papers cannot be signed without a picture ID.

    If you have questions or concerns, please call 989.583.4797 for assistance. Please leave a message with your name, a return phone number and your baby’s date of birth.

    For more information about paternity establishment or child support, call 1.866.540.0008 or go to the website www.michigan.gov/childsupport.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or want more information, please call one of the following areas in the Birth Center:

Labor, Delivery & Recovery - 989.583.4496

Breastfeeding Warmline/Lactation Consultant - 989.583.4429 or toll-free 1.888.848.2229

Register for childbirth education classes - 989.583.4135 or 989.583.4503

Financial assistance for hospital bill - 989.583.6024

Customer Service/Patient Advocate - 989.583.4311

OB Managers - 989.583.7201

email: childbirtheducation@chs-mi.com