Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Fall 2019

in. The department is much more than an obstetrics unit. It is also where new families can learn what to expect when they are expecting, get a preview of the facilities, learn techniques for a better birth process, become informed on breastfeeding and form lifelong bonds with other families and babies. Answers from A to Z New parents Emily and Joe Zeitler have experienced just about every stop on the Bartlett Beginnings journey. They proudly recite the birthday of their smiling baby girl, Amelia: “8-8-18.” “I had no clue what we were getting into beforehand,” recalls Joe. That void brought them to their first childbirth Babies don’t Bartlett Beginnings is here to help COMEWITH INSTRUCTIONS Yes. A new baby changes your life. But as anyone who has a brought a tiny, permanent new roommate into their lives will affirm, you can never be too well- prepared for just how much. “When you’re a newly pregnant couple, you might not think of the whole journey,” says Bartlett Beginnings Lactation and Education Coordinator Sara Gress, MS, RNC-OB, IBCLC. At the same time, “They want to do their absolute best for both themselves and their brand-new babies and their families,” says Obstetrics Director Lauren Beason, BSN, RNC-OB. That’s where Bartlett Beginnings comes Bartlett Beginnings Lactation and Education Coordinator Sara Gress and Obstetrics Director Lauren Beason oversee the span of free classes for new families, from Childbirth Preparation to Just for Dads. preparation class. “I didn’t know how to use a car seat, or anything like that,” he adds. Joe learned lots. He’s now a “Demo Dad” for the Just for Dads class, where new dads show dads-to-be new skills like how to diaper, calm and bathe their infant. He shows up ready to share what he and Emily learned—starting with things you’d anticipate.“Like what noises to expect when,” recalls Emily. “And where to check in when you arrive at the hospital.” They also share things you might not think about, “like to call beforehand to say you’re on your way,” adds Joe. “They’re all incredibly nervous and scared about this new process,” says Lauren. “They also realize that question that they thought was silly—the guy next to them totally had the same one.” Lauren should know. She’s the mother of 2-year-old twins. “There’s little pieces you pull from your own experience when you care for those families after having had your own,” she says. “So much of it is being able to connect with them on less of a clinical level and more of a ‘Hey, this is how we get to survive this together’ level.” Get ready for the big day Childbirth Preparation is the most well- attended Bartlett Beginnings class. “They have it in mind that they probably should do some sort of class to learn about how this creature is going to get from inside to outside,” notes Sara. “And the No. 1 thing that everybody’s afraid of is pain. They want to learn more about how to non- pharmacologically or pharmacologically By Katie Bausler, Community Relations Director 6 House Calls Fall 2019