Tender Beginnings

The Tender Beginnings program at Greenwich Hospital is a wonderful way for couples and families to prepare for labor, delivery and baby care. Courses are offered for moms, dads, siblings and grandparents and are taught by registered nurses from Greenwich Hospital's hospital's Maternal/Child Unit, many of whom are certified as educators and consultants on the topics they teach. New courses are constantly being added to meet the needs of our community.

All Tender Beginnings classes require pre-registration. To register, call (203) 863-3655. Questions? Weekdays, call (203) 863-3655, 8am-4pm, or email VeraL@greenhosp.org. Please note, rooms and times are subject to change.

Visit our Women's Resource Center for information on all kind of women's health concerns. It's in the Medical Library in our beautiful Watson Pavilion. Open 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

GH @ GH signifies a program sponsored by Greenwich Health at Greenwich Hospital.

Fertility and IVF Services
Full range of state-of-the-art clinical treatments and assisted reproductive laboratory technologies (ART) in a supportive, personalized and private setting at 55 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich. Visit the Greenwich Fertility & IVF Center web site at greenwichivf.com. For an appointment, please call (203) 863-2990. Fee.

Genetic Counseling & Prenatal Testing
For anyone concerned about a possible increased risk to pregnancy due to maternal age or family history. By appointment. Call (203) 863-3917. Fee.

Orientation to Pregnancy
If you're thinking about becoming pregnant or in the first few months of pregnancy, this 2-hour class offers information on fetal growth and development, physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, nutrition, relaxation and exercise techniques, expectations of the hospital stay and more. Taught by a registered nurse and dietitian. Call (203) 863-3655. FREE.

Pediatrician Night
Learn about the newborn in this one-hour class taught by a pediatrician in the community along with a registered maternity nurse. Both instructors will be available for a question and answer period following the talk. Held every other month. To register, call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Tours
Maternity Tours: See the labor & delivery suite, nursery, and postpartum unit. Given on Saturdays twice a month. Call (203) 863-3655 for dates and times. FREE.

Sibling Tours: Familiarize children with the nursery and postpartum unit. Call (203) 863-3655. FREE.

Prenatal Massage
Massage during pregnancy focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be by providing therapeutic bodywork and nurturing touch to help her feel more at home in her changing body. Helps reduce stress and promote relaxation, improves circulation and general body tone, and lessens neck, back and joint pain. Physician referral required. Sponsored by Greenwich Hospital's Integrative Medicine Program. Call (203) 863-3615. Fee.

Massage During Labor
This specialized massage supports the childbirth process by reducing anxiety and stress, and relaxing muscles involved in labor and birth. Massage during labor helps the mother keep calm and focused throughout labor and delivery. Physician referral required. Sponsored by Greenwich Hospital's Integrative Medicine Program. Call (203) 863-3615. Fee.

Prenatal Yoga
Prepare your mind, body and spirit for labor and childbirth. Gentle, safe yoga postures tone and strengthen muscles, and help you gain or maintain flexibility. Breathing and relaxation techniques aid concentration and relieve tension. Taught by a registered nurse, certified in prenatal and hatha yoga. Series of four 1-1/2 hour classes. To register, call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Grandparenting Class
A one-hour session introducing grandparents to the changes in prenatal and infant care in today's world. Car seats and infant safety are addressed. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Safe and Sound
Co-sponsored with Fairfield County Safe Kids Coalition, this 2 - hour class is especially designed for expectant or new parents and grandparents. Learn to prepare your home and car for your new baby. Hear lifesaving information related to car seats, cribs and toys, as well as water, poisoning and choking. Held every other month on Thursdays. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Childbirth Preparation
These classes offer total preparation for childbirth and include the Lamaze Method plus a tour of the maternity unit. Taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education.

New! Anesthesia Pain Management in Labor and Delivery - What Are My Options?
Learn about pain control options for labor and delivery at Greenwich Hospital, with a focus on medication. This one-hour class, including a question-and-answer period, will be taught by a board certified anesthesiologist and pain management consultant. Held quarterly at 7pm in the Noble Conference Center. To register, call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Five-Week Course
Meets weekly on Sundays. Prospective parents should start six to eight weeks before due date. Please register early. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Four-Week Course
Meets weekly on Mondays. Prospective parents should start six to eight weeks before due date. Please register early. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Two-Day Course
Designed for those who have time restrictions. Held twice a month on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm. Prospective parents should start four to six weeks before due date. Please register early. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

One-Day Course
Designed for those who have time restrictions. Held monthly on Saturdays or Sundays from 9am - 4pm. Prospective parents should start four to six weeks before due date. Please register early. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Refresher Class
Review of labor process, and breathing and relaxation techniques. Ideal for parents who have already delivered a baby or have had a long interval between pregnancies. This two-hour class is held every other month. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Cesarean Section Class
An individual class for couples planning for cesarean section. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Breastfeeding Class
A 2-1/2 hour class for expectant parents focusing on all aspects of breastfeeding from delivery room to postpartum. Explore breastfeeding issues such as establishing good milk supply, nutrition and pumping. Taught by Greenwich Hospital RNs certified in lactation consulting. Held on Saturdays, once a month. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Baby Care Class for Parents
Essential learning for expectant parents including feeding, bathing, cord care, sleep patterns and proper car seat use. A two-hour class held three times a month on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Starting Baby on Solid Foods
This one-hour class guides you through introducing solid food to your infant. Information on appropriate foods, food allergies, and recipes provided. Taught by a registered dietitian. Call (203) 863-3655. FREE.

Sibling Class
A one-hour class that helps big brothers and sisters adjust to a new baby in the family. Includes a video about siblings and a tour of the nursery and postpartum unit. For children ages 3-8 and their parents. Call (203) 863-3655. FREE.

Pediatric Orientation
Tour of the hospital's pediatric unit for school or community groups or anyone anticipating the hospitalization of a child. Short video included. Monday through Friday, by appointment. Call (203) 863-3553. FREE.

Safe Sitters Babysitting Course
A babysitting course designed to teach 11-14 year olds everything they need to know to safely care for children. Taught by RNs certified by SafeSitter.org. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Sibling Tours

Infant Massage
This series of three 1-hour classes for babies and parents offers a holistic, natural way to promote infant health and deepen bonding. Learn nurturing touch, massage and reflexology while interpreting and responding to your infant's body language. Baby must be six weeks of age. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

Postpartum Massage
Postpartum massage eases recovery from labor and birth by alleviating muscle strain and soreness and promoting healing. Nurturing touch and support to mothers during the early postpartum period offers emotional relief, too. Sponsored by Greenwich Hospital's Integrative Medicine Program. Physician referral required. Call (203) 863-3615. Fee.

Postpartum Visit
Mothers who deliver at Greenwich Hospital may return for a mother/baby assessment with a maternity RN certified in lactation consulting 48-72 hours after discharge. Call (203) 863-3569. FREE.

Parenting Programs/Support Groups

Newborn Mothers Group
A 6-week course addressing the needs of the newborn (under 4 months of age), and the physical and emotional adjustments of parenthood. Designed for mothers who recently have given birth. Topics include: Recovering from Birth; How Do We Learn to Become Parents?; Who Was I Before I Became a Mother?; Developmental Stages; Sex, Love and Babies; and Self-Esteem-Mom and Babies. Led by a member of our maternity nursing staff. Call (203) 863-3655. Fee.

“Tiny Bridges” for NICU parents
A newborn’s stay in a neonatal intensive care unit can be a stressful experience for families. Through our “Tiny Bridges” program, parents of babies in Greenwich Hospital’s NICU can reach out to other parents who have been in similar situations and can offer support. If you would like to participate, either during or after your baby’s stay, please call (203) 863-3655. FREE.

Parents Exchange - GH @ GH
Parents Exchange offers a variety of parenting classes and support groups that are divided according to the age of your child, from 4 months through high school. Led by qualified child development specialists. Pre-registration required. Space limited. Groups run in 14-week semesters: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside. Infant/Toddler classes are at the Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich. Call (203) 863-3794 for information and registration form, plus schedule.

Parent's Exchange Infant Group
This education and support group is for parents of infants between the ages of 4 – 15 months. Facilitated by a child development professional, you’ll build on your strengths and develop new insights from other moms and dads facing similar experiences. This safe, nurturing and reassuring environment will help you grow as a parent and develop lifelong friendships. Parents and their babies meet weekly for 11/2 hours during each 14-week semester.

Topics and Speakers: Your group will decide on the topics to discuss and speakers to invite. To help you get started, we will provide a list of experts that include physicians, child psychologists, dietitians and community agencies. Popular subjects have included:

Sleep Patterns
Motherhood & Managing Careers
Postpartum Blues
Evaluating and Hiring Nannies and Babysitters
Infant Development and Milestones
Nutrition
Separation Anxiety
Learning Through Play

Your Facilitator: Cathy Malley is a human development specialist from the University of Connecticut who has been involved with Parent's Exchange for more than 20 years. She has done extensive work in the area of parent education and published extensively on the topic.