Support groups and classes offered in September 2010
Birth Basics: This series of two 2½-hour classes is for women (and their partners) in their seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. The classes include information on labor, delivery, cesarean birth, breathing techniques and a tour of the BirthCenter. Class size may be quite large. If you are interested in smaller classes, more detailed information and relaxation practice, please consider our Prepared Birthing classes. The sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 1 and 8 in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $15. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Blood Pressure Screening at Oakwood Mall: Free blood pressure screenings are offered from 7 to 9 a.m. every Thursday (except holidays) at Oakwood Mall in the Luther Midelfort kiosk near the “Oakwood Forest” play area. This month’s screenings will be Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. For information, call 715-838-3014.
Breast-Feeding Class: This one-session class is designed for women in their third trimester of pregnancy and their support person. In preparing you for breast-feeding, instructors cover the basics, including making the decision to breast-feed. The class also will introduce the anatomy and physiology of the breast, breast-feeding techniques and information about working and breast-feeding. The next class meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $10. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Building Baby’s Brain: Brain development in infants is about 50 percent nature and 50 percent nurture. The experiences you provide for your child could either slow brain development or encourage it. In this class, you will learn how positive interactions with your baby enhance social and emotional development, creativity and even I.Q. Activities for specific ages will be shared and demonstrated. Class content will be geared toward development from birth to age 3. This class will meet at the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. Cost is $10. Child care is available free of charge. Please mention child care is needed when registering. Call 715-833-1735 for dates and times.
Chippewa Valley Community Aphasia Support Group: This is a free service. Contact Mary Beth Clark at 715-838-3258 for more information.
Diabetes Support Group: This group is for people with diabetes and their family members and friends. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, in Luther Midelfort’s lower level cafeteria at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. Call the Diabetes Education Department at 715-838-6594 for more information.
Joint PREP (Patient Resource & Education Program): This two-hour program will discuss the benefits and risks of joint replacement as well as any special needs and concerns. Presenters include orthopedic surgeons, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, and Social Services/case managers. Hip replacement will be discussed Tuesdays, Sept. 7 and 21. Knee replacement will be discussed Thursdays, Sept. 9 and 23. Shoulder replacement will be discussed Wednesday, Sept. 15. Hip and knee classes are from 1 to 3 p.m., and shoulder classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Luther Midelfort’s fourth floor Orthopedic Center conference room, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call the Orthopedic Center at 715-838-6161.
Health Break: Attend “Health Break” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at Borders, 4040 Commonwealth Ave., Eau Claire. This month’s topic is incontinence. No registration is necessary. This is a free service. Call 715-838-5805 for more information.
Mild Brain Injury Support Group: This support group is designed for people with mild traumatic brain injuries from accidents, falls, tumors, etc., and their family and friends. The group provides individuals the opportunity to obtain information on brain injury symptoms, listen to guest speakers and talk with other persons with brain injuries and healthcare professionals. The group also promotes brain injury prevention and community awareness. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Luther Midelfort’s lower level Deli, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Call Mary Beth Clark at 715-838-1725 for information.
Myeloma Support Group: This support group is intended for patients, caregivers and family members involved with or interested in multiple myeloma. Participants can share information and experiences regarding understanding of the disease and treatment. The next meeting is from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the fourth floor Orthopedic Center conference room, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. Call Luther Midelfort’s Oncology Department at 715-838-6072 or e-mail eauclairemyeloma@me.com for more information.
Newborn Care: This two-hour class is designed for women in their seventh to ninth months of pregnancy, but may also be effective for those who have recently delivered. Topics addressed include feeding baby, bath time, sleep patterns, parenting and signs of illness. Often a pediatrician is present during a portion of the class to answer questions. The next class meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $10. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Prepared Birthing: This class meets once a week for six consecutive weeks on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class is for women (and their partners) in their sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. The class size is limited to 12 couples and lends itself to a greater level of interaction with the instructor and more practice time and reinforcement by the instructor. The class includes discussions about labor, birth and early postpartum; active instruction in comfort measures, massage techniques and labor support; and exploration of communication skills between the woman, her partner and the members of the healthcare team. In addition, the class covers discussions of births in general, as well as what challenges may occur and what options are available. The class also includes a tour of the BirthCenter. The next session begins Sept. 13, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $70. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Saturday Birth Basics & Newborn Care: This one-session class is for women (and their partners) in their seventh and eighth months of pregnancy whose schedules would not allow a multisession class. It is a basic labor and delivery class with a goal of preparing the woman and her partner for birth while adding basic newborn care instruction. The class includes information on labor, delivery, cesarean birth, breathing techniques and a tour of the BirthCenter. This is also a great refresher class. This class is not limited in size and does not include the presence of a pediatrician during the newborn care segment. If you are looking for a more detailed childbirth education class, then we recommend the Prepared Birthing class. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. The cost is $20. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Sibling Class: This class is open to brothers- and sisters-to-be ages 3 to 6 and their parents. The instructor will read a book with the children and encourage them to discuss their feelings about becoming a big brother or sister A high point at the end of the class is a tour of the BirthCenter. Children ages 7 to 11 are invited to tour the birthing facilities at 7 p.m. the same evening and will also receive information about becoming a big brother or sister (preregistration for the tour only is still required, although there is no charge). Cost is $10 for one child or $15 for two or more children. The class meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the third floor classroom across the street from Luther Midelfort at 1223 Bellinger St. Please register two weeks prior to the class as space is limited. To register or for more information, call the Wellness Clinic at 715-838-6767, or register online at www.luthermidelfort.org.
Stroke Support Group: This group has been organized for stroke survivors, families and friends. The group will provide occasional guest speakers, educational information regarding current stroke news, available resources within the community and social opportunities. Members will share their experiences, successes, problems and concerns about a stroke, and how the individual and family have coped with it. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at The Center for Health Living, 2103 Heights Drive, Eau Claire. This is a free service. For more information, please contact Shannara Faupl at 715-838-3350.
US TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group: This group offers prostate survivors fellowship, peer counseling, education about treatment options, and discussion about medical alternatives. Meetings provide a forum for medical experts to inform group members about treatment options and allow members to ask questions and get answers from experts. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in Luther Midelfort’s Chestnut Conference Room at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. For information, please call 715-838-3610.
Weight Management: Free orientation meetings are held weekly on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Call 715-838-6731 to register.
