If you’re pregnant or just gave birth, chances are you’re missing those essential in-person support opportunities like prepping for your baby with pre-birth classes or bonding with other new moms. But here’s some good news—RWJBarnabas Health is offering virtual ways for new moms and moms-to-be to connect and be their healthiest this March. Whether you are looking for childbirth prep, breastfeeding support, or just a group of new moms, you can log on to find support, all while still wearing your PJs. And for bigger kids, there are ways for them to connect virtually and in-person too. So grab a cup of tea and your favorite snack, and cozy up on the couch with one of these mom groups and classes below—no commute required. (featured photo credit: Istock/:geargodz)
Programs for new moms
Virtual Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Support Group
April 6, 13, 20, 27 at 11 AM
Are you a pregnant or new mom? Do you feel like motherhood isn’t what you thought it would be? Do you have feelings of anxiety, panic, rage, or sadness? You are not alone. You could be experiencing one of the most common childbirth complications, Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, this is temporary and treatable, and we can help. We are pleased to offer our communities a safe place and a judgment-free group for new and expecting moms to connect online. We understand that during this time of COVID-19, increased isolation and increased concerns about crowds/gatherings may be preventing you from reaching out for help. Join our virtual community, led by a Perinatal Mood Disorder certified specialist in this field who can answer your questions, validate your feelings and concerns, and offer more resources if needed.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Clara Maass Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, RWJBarnabas Health, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Virtual Mommies Moods Group (Cooperman Barnabas)
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 11 AM
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center offers free Zoom Support Groups for expecting and new moms facilitated by Lauren Meisels, Ph.D. Mommies Moods Group focuses on mother care rather than child care. Discussions address anxiety, depression, irritability, and feeling scared and overwhelmed by the transition to motherhood during the pandemic.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Virtual Breastfeeding Support Group
April 4, 11, 18, 25 from 12 PM-1 PM
Do you have questions about breastfeeding? We are pleased to offer our communities a safe place for new and expecting moms to connect online. Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants will provide guidance and answer questions about latch issues, breast/nipple pain, milk supply concerns, pumping, supplementation, returning to work, and weaning in a friendly virtual environment. Don’t let breastfeeding challenges discourage you during COVID-19. We are here to support you along your breastfeeding journey. For more information and the link to participate in the group, please register online.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Clara Maass Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, RWJBarnabas Health, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Virtual New Moms’ Circle Support Group (Cooperman Barnabas)
April 4, 11, 18, 25 at 10 AM
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center offers free Zoom Support Groups for expecting and new moms facilitated by Lauren Meisels, Ph.D. New Moms Circle allows moms to discuss all facets of becoming a mother during this precarious time. Conversations generally focus on child-care topics but are dictated by the interests of the women attending the meeting. It’s an excellent opportunity for moms to connect and bond around a shared experience.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Virtual Breastfeeding Basics at Cooperman Barnabas
April 12 and 26 from 7 PM-9 PM
Women’s Health/Parent Education Department at Saint Barnabas offers a virtual prenatal workshop to help mothers achieve the confidence and skills necessary for a satisfying nursing experience once their baby is born. Partners should participate along with mom.
Cost: $40
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
To be placed into a class and make payment, please call 973-322-5360 or submit the completed registration form by fax to 973-322-9784, or email Teresa.Lastella@rwjbh.org
Breastfeeding Classes at Jersey City Medical Center
April 13 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
The program will include two hours of combination lectures and movie presentations. The class is held monthly. Topics include —how breastfeeding works, latching on and positioning when to feed your baby, how much is enough, and breast care. You must fill out the registration and send payment at least two weeks before the class, and once that’s received, they will email a link to you.
Cost: $35
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Jersey City Medical Center
Eufemia Rios RN, Childbirth Educator, (201) 915-2365 or Email: Eufemia.rios@rwjbh.org
Baby’s First Foods
April 20 from 1 PM-2 PM
A virtual class on what to feed a baby in the first year, and more.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Molly Fallon Dixon, MS, RDN (973) 726-7371 or Email: molly.fallon@rwjbh.org
Beth Babies Breastfeeding Support Class
Tuesdays at 1 PM
All pregnant women and nursing moms are welcome.
To register, email janine.marley@rwjbh.org
Prenatal programs for moms-to-be
Virtual Childbirth Preparation at Cooperman Barnabas
April 17 Multi-Part Courses and One-Day Courses are available
Women’s Health/Parent Education at Cooperman Barnabas offers this virtual class for parents to help prepare them for pregnancy, labor, and delivery and provide instruction in baby care. This class addresses breathing patterns, relaxation, cesarean sections, epidural, review of the Maternity Center, and newborn care.
Cost: $95
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
To be placed into a class and make payment, please call (973) 322-5360 or submit the completed registration form by fax to (973) 322-9784 or email to Teresa.Lastella@rwjbh.org
Pregnancy Support Group
April 7, 14, 21, 28 from 12 PM-1 PM
Being pregnant is amazing—and at times, amazingly stressful. Pregnancy can leave you with a lot of questions. This is especially true with the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by maternal health experts, our online community is a supportive and inclusive space to meet other pregnant women, ask questions and form meaningful connections.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Clara Maass Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, RWJBarnabas Health, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Prenatal Yoga with Ignite One
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 12 PM
Gentle Yoga for expecting moms. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Molly Fallon Dixon, MS, RDN, (973) 926-7371 or email: molly.fallon@rwjbh.org
Childbirth Education Classes at Jersey City Medical Center
April 4 at 6:30 PM
The program will include a set of 4 classes with a combination of lecture and movie presentations. Topics will include: Third Trimester Changes, Signs and Symptoms of Labor, Labor & Delivery “What to Expect,” “Pain Management,” and A tour of Labor & Delivery/Postpartum. You MUST fill out the registration and send payment at least two weeks before the class date. They will send the link before the start of the course.
Cost: $125.00 per couple
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Jersey City Medical Center
Eufemia Rios RN, Childbirth Educator, Class Registration: (201) 915-2365 or Email: Eufemia.rios@rwjbh.org
Prenatal Nutrition 101
April 13 from 1 PM-2 PM
A virtual class with all the nutrition information you need to know for moms-to-be. Please register online.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Molly Fallon Dixon, MS, RDN (973) 926-7371 or Email: molly.fallon@rwjbh.org
Cesarean Delivery Preparation (Cooperman Barnabas)
April 4 from 7 PM-9 PM
Women’s Health/ Parent Education at Cooperman Barnabas offers this virtual two-hour class for parents about having a cesarean birth and how to care for their newborn.
Cost: $40
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Teresa Lastella, (973) 322-5360 or Teresa.Lastella@rwjbh.org
Infant Care Classes – Jersey City Medical Center
April 27 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
The program will include two hours of combination lectures and movie presentations with topics like Physical Appearance, Diapering, Bathing, Cord care, and Special Procedures. You must fill out the registration and payment received at least two weeks before the class date. They will send the link before the start of class.
Cost: $35 per couple
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Jersey City Medical Center
Eufemia Rios RN, Childbirth Educator, (201) 915-2365 or Email: Eufemia.rios@rwjbh.org
New Patient Virtual Orientation for Expecting Moms
Every third Monday of the month at 4 PM
Topics of the virtual orientation include—welcome and introductions, review of practice, the role of physicians, midwives, and residents, what are midwives and their role in prenatal care and in the labor and delivery unit, ultrasound timeline, available classes offered by the hospital, hospital FAQ’s, what to do in an emergency, meet and greet opportunities, and Q & A.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Jersey City Medical Center RWJBarnabas Health
sheridan.blackwell@rwjbh.org
Cooking classes in Hannah’s Kitchen are taught by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Wellness Team dietitian Emily Ho, RDN.
Classes For Kids
Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen
April 5, 12, 19, 26 at 4:30 PM
Hands-on cooking for ages 8-12; parent/guardian must register. Your child will learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients, read a recipe, kitchen safety tips, measuring techniques, knife skills, and more.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Emily Ho, RDN, emily.ho@rwjbh.org or (973) 926-7371
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
April 9 at 9:30 AM
Hands-on cooking for ages 4-7 with a parent/guardian/loved one present. In this fun and interactive class, even the pickiest eaters will learn to love their veggies.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Emily Ho, RDN at emily.ho@rwjbh.org or (973) 926-7371
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
April 9 at 11 AM
A mommy and me style virtual cooking class for ages 2-4 that they can do with a parent, grandparent, or loved one.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Emily Ho, RDN, emily.ho@rwjbh.org or (973) 926-7371
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Kids in the Kitchen – RWJUH Hamilton
April 19
Parent/child “hands-on” cooking classes directed by a dietitian at RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center in Hamilton. For children ages six and older. Register early; limited class size. On April 19, try Going Green – April 22 is Earth Day! Let’s reduce, reuse, and recycle to make grab-and-go kid-friendly super-food shakes and snacks.
Cost: $5 per child; $5 per parent/caregiver (one parent or caregiver must attend). Please register adult and child. (609) 584-5900
This post is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health to help make every #NJMOM her healthiest.
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