Sentara Maternity Services

Classes, Tours & Support Groups

Want to learn more about breastfeeding and labor? Ready for a hospital tour? We offer classes for moms, dads, brothers and sisters. Classes begin early in pregnancy and continue after baby’s birth.

These classes are very popular, so it is important to register during your fourth month of pregnancy to ensure a spot.

More Info:

Exercise Programs

Breastfeeding

Sentara Women’s Health Source

Exercise Programs

Aerobics
Sentara offers special prenatal and post-natal aerobics classes for women who want to be in top shape for delivery, or lose extra "baby pounds" afterward.

Cost: Free with SHHFC Membership or delivery at Sentara CarePlex hospital or Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.

Location: Sentara Hampton Health and Fitness Center

Call: (757) 766-2658.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding - Single Class
Geared toward expectant mothers, class includes a discussion of preparation for breastfeeding, mechanics of nursing, care of the breastfeeding mother and baby, nutrition, possible problems, and weaning. Fathers-to-be are encouraged to attend too.

Cost: $35

Location:
Sentara Greenbier Healthplex
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
To register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Sentara CarePlex Hospital - 4th Tuesday, (free, register through the Hampton Healthy Families Partnership, (757) 727-1300)
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center - One Thursday evening each month (Free, please call (757) 259-4233 to register.)

Breastfeeding Information Line - Free
Breastfeeding support doesn't stop once you go home! If you delivered at a Sentara hospital, access to a lactation consultant is available seven days a week. Page us between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and we will call you back to answer questions and provide assistance.

Cost: Free

Location:
Sentara Leigh Hospital, call (757) 475-8942
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, call (757) 475-8942
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, call (757) 395-8289
Sentara CarePlex Hospital, call (757) 736-1240
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, call (757) 984-7299

Home Health Lactation Visit
Home Health Lactation visits are available through Sentara Home Care Services. Have a certified lactation consultant visit you in the comfort of your home to help address feeding issues that may cause difficulties in your breastfeeding experience.

Cost: Check with your insurance company to see if this service is covered.

Call: Sentara Home Care at (757) 549-7755

Parenting

Taking Care of Baby
A Three-hour class designed to help teach expectant parents the basics of caring for your newborn. Includes bath demonstration, cord care, dressing the baby, and more.

Cost: $45 per couple

Location:
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Greenbrier Healthplex
To Register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center- One Thursday evening each month, free. Call (757) 259-4233 to register.

Infant/Child Emergency First Aid
A three-hour class for parents, grandparents and babysitters to learn basic safety and emergency response strategies. Also includes Infant and Child CPR information (Demonstration only, no certificate). For ages 14 and older only.

Cost: $25 per person or $35 per couple for a single class

Location: Sentara Virginia General Hospital

To register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Growth and Development
A two-hour class for new parents and parents-to-be. This course includes information about basic newborn growth and development in the first few months of life.

Cost: Free

Location: Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, one Thursday each month, free

Call: (757) 259-4233

Prepared Childbirth

Lamaze Only (Peninsula)
12-week Class

A 12-week Prepared Childbirth and Parenting Class.

Location: Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 3rd Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call: Sentara CarePlex Hospital, (757) 727-1300 to register

Lamaze Plus (Peninsula)
12 Week Class

A free 12-week course that includes prepared childbirth and parenting class information all in the same series. Participants enjoy a free cafeteria dinner prior to each class.

Cost: Free

Location: Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 6-8:30 p.m.,

Call: Sentara CarePlex Hospital, (757) 727-1300 to register

Prepared Childbirth
A six-week course for first-time parents or parents who did not attend education classes with their first babies. Learn about emotional and physical skills used in the childbirth process. Includes anatomy, birth process, exercises, relaxation techniques, danger signs, labor signs, effacement/dilation, timing contractions, phases of labor, inductions, fetal monitoring, back labor, coaching, pushing, postpartum, alternative pain relief methods and maternity unit tour.

Cost: $65 for Six Classes: 1 night/ 6 weeks

Location:
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Greenbrier Healthplex
Sentara Health Management in Virginia Beach
To register call (757) 455-7500 or register online

Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 12 week series, free for Hampton residents or those delivering at Sentara CarePlex Hospital only - Call 727-1300 to register
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Various weekdays/weekends, $70, call (757) 259-4233 to register

Prepared Childbirth
Are you pressed for time before the blessed event? Learn all you need to be prepared for your child’s birth in just one weekend.

Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 3rd Saturday (one-day workshop), call for details and registration, 727-1300- Class is free to Hampton residents or those delivering at Sentara CarePlex Hospital

Weekend Childbirth Class
Weekend (Friday 6:30pm-9:30pm) (Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm) For first-time parents or parents who did not attend education classes with their first babies where you can learn about the emotional and physical skills you will use in the childbirth process. The course includes anatomy, the birth process, exercises, relaxation techniques, danger signs, signs of labor, coaching, pushing, postpartum, and alternative pain relief methods. (Dress Comfortably. Bring 2-3 pillows and a blanket or comforter)

Location:
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Greenbrier Healthplex
Sentara Princess Anne
Cost $80 per couple payable at the door
To register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Hospital Tours

See a complete list of tours and register online

Obstetric Tour
A one-hour maternity unit tour of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital or Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. It covers information on procedures, registration, parking and birthing rooms.

We ask that you not bring children to this tour, please see the Prepared Sibling tour offered for brothers and sisters.

Cost: Free - Single Tour

Location:
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
To register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 1st Tuesday of the month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Prepared Brothers and Sisters
A maternity unit tour of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Leigh Hospital, Sentara CarePlex, or Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. The class is geared toward 4 to 8- year-old children and their parents. It includes sibling preparation from the parent's and child's perspectives, role of big brother/sister, and reading time. A goodie bag and question and answer period are offered.

Cost: Free - Single Tour

Location:
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
To register call: (757) 455-7500 or register online

Sentara CarePlex Hospital, 3rd Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Support Groups

Are You Grieving?
The loss of a baby, whether it is during pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy, is a life-altering event which impacts a woman for years to come. While a variety of support mechanisms are in place to help the bereaved mother today, this wasn’t always the case. Many women who’ve lost babies years ago, have lingering questions and have yet to come to terms with their feelings of grief, loss and sadness. To help with closure, we offer the following:

Empty Arms Support Group

A support group for bereaved parents who have lost a child due to miscarriage, still birth, or newborn death.

Date: 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m.

Location: Sentara Greenbrier HealthPlex
Cost: Free

Call: 757-388-3364 or Ann Prescott at (757) 545-2667

Brochure: Miscarriage
Brochure: Support for Grieving Parents

Expectant Arms Support Group

A support group for bereaved parents who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death and are now expecting again.

Date: Various

Location: Sentara Greenbrier Healthplex Cost: Free

Call: (757) 388-3364 or Ann Prescott at (757) 545-2667

Free Counseling

You may benefit from talking confidentially with our bereavement counselor at Sentara Women’s Services. There is no fee for this service. Ann Prescott, RN, MSEd, CGC, may be reached by calling (757) 545-2667 or emailing ahpresco@sentara.com.

Remembered with Love, Always Support Group…

Women who experienced a pregnancy or infant loss years ago were not always given the support and attention necessary for emotional healing. Until about 10 years ago, family, friends, or even physicians responded to the loss of an infant by saying, “you can always have another baby. Just put this behind you. Forget about it.”

Today we recognize that the grief of infant death or pregnancy loss does not automatically “go away” just by ignoring it. Now there are many options and sources of support available for women who lose a baby, whether it is through miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, or infant death.

If you lost a baby years ago, you may not have received the support you needed.

We would like to provide that support. “Remembered with Love, Always” is a program developed to help women who have experienced the loss of a baby years ago find healing from grief long held inside and make peace with the past. Under the caring guidance of a certified grief counselor, you will learn how to finally acknowledge and honor your baby’s memory while lessening the burden you have carried for so long.

Planned activities include:

-making memory boxes
-holding memorial services
-a group memorial quilt
-journaling
-story telling and story writing
-support group sessions
-creating rituals for healing

Date: Varied, please call.

Location: You may choose the following, 1.) private time with a grief counselor specializing in pregnancy loss, or 2.) talking with others your age who lost babies years ago and sharing yoru stories.

Cost: Free

Call: Ann Prescott, RN, MSEd, CGC at (757) 545-2667. Leave a message with your name and phone number. Your call will be returned promptly. Confidentiality will be respected and maintained.

Other Community Events and Support Groups

Sentara Women’s Health Source
Contact Sentara Women’s Health Source
- To register for classes
- Get more information on lectures and tours
- Ask questions related to your maternity needs

Need additional brochures or class registration information? Call (757) 388-3364.

Sentara Maternity Services

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