Deaconess Memorial Offers Free Childbirth Prep Class for Jasper Families

Expectant parents in Dubois County have one day to register for a free childbirth preparation class at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, in the Medical Arts Conference Room at 721 W. 13th Street in Jasper.

The "Preparation for Childbirth" course carries no cost for expectant mothers who plan to deliver at Deaconess Memorial; those planning to deliver elsewhere can attend for a $65 fee. The hospital has flagged limited class capacity and is directing registrations through its online events portal or by phone through Deaconess Wellness Solutions in Jasper.

Geared toward women in their seventh month of pregnancy and their support partners, the curriculum covers labor-and-delivery basics, coping techniques for labor, hospital stay expectations, pain-management options, and specific guidance for support persons. Instruction is led by Deaconess obstetrical nursing staff with direct labor-and-delivery experience, and the course addresses both the physical and emotional dimensions of late pregnancy and childbirth.

The March 31 session fits within a broader prenatal education calendar at Deaconess Memorial that also includes breastfeeding and newborn-care classes. Prenatal education in these areas has been linked to stronger breastfeeding outcomes, earlier identification of postpartum depression, and more confident newborn care in the critical days after hospital discharge.

Deaconess Memorial serves as Dubois County's primary labor-and-delivery facility, and free admission for its own patients reinforces a direct connection between expectant families and the clinical team who will assist at delivery. The hospital's events page lists full registration details, including payment and cancellation policies for the $65 option.