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. Wednesday, March 3 and 10, 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 March 4, 11, 18 and 25. 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, March 2, 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.
Cardiovascular Screening: This screening will help determine your risk for a heart attack and vascular disease and includes: total cholesterol and HDL (good cholesterol); glucose (blood sugar); blood pressure; ABI (circulation test of the legs called the ankle brachial index); BMI (body mass index); waist/hip ratio; and an exercise evaluation. A healthcare provider will go over the results. A packet of educational information will be provided. If needed, follow-up care will be provided. The screenings are held 8 a.m. to noon, the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, except holidays. This month’s screenings are March 11 and 25 in the Luther Midelfort Cardiac Center, third floor, 1400 Bellinger St. This is a free service. For an appointment, call 715-838-5672. Space is limited.
Chippewa Valley Community Aphasia Support Group: This is a free service. Contact Mary Beth Clark at 715-838-3258 for more information.
CVOA Ostomate Support Group: This group is for ostomates, their families and any other interested persons. This month’s meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in Luther Midelfort’s second floor Education Classroom at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. For more information, call Leo Court at 715-834-2795.
D.A.R.T. Organ Donor Support Group: This group is for donor families, organ recipients and those waiting for organ transplants to get together and discuss questions and concerns. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, in Luther Midelfort’s lower level cafeteria at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. For more information, contact Kelly Buchholtz at 715-838-3170.
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, March 4, in Luther Hospital’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.
Health Break: Attend “Health Break” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at Borders, 4040 Commonwealth Ave., Eau Claire. No registration is necessary. This is a free service. Call 715-838-5805 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, March 2 and 16. Knee replacement will be discussed Thursdays, March 11 and 25. All classes are from 1 to 3 p.m. at 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.
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, March 16, 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, March 8, 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, March 17, 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.
Saturday Birth Basics & Newborn Care: Birthing Basics Weekend: 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, March 20, 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, March 9, 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, March 18, 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, March 25, in Luther Midelfort’s lower level cafeteria at 1221 Whipple St. This is a free service. For information, please call 715-838-3610.
# # #
In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.
