Childbirth Education Group
The Young Women’s Resource Center is committed to providing support for women* who are pregnant or parenting. The YWRC is often the first place a pregnant or parenting youth will turn to or be referred to for information and services. We take that responsibility seriously and that’s why the YWRC holds weekly classes for pregnant folks where they can participate in discussions and activities while gaining valuable information and support that can often be hard for pregnant teens to find. These groups are for pregnant individuals at any stage of their pregnancy, and are a place to learn pregnancy, development, childbirth, and postpartum. Participants can learn about labor and delivery from a certified childbirth educator and doula.
Topics covered
- healthy pregnancy
- avoiding pre-term & low birth weight
- pregnancy discomforts
- pregnancy warning signs
- importance of prenatal checkups
- pre-labor signs
- stages of labor
- pain relief options
- labor support from partner, family members and the role of a doula
- informed consent & refusal
- advocating for yourself & birth plans
- Cesarean birth
- birth/newborn care & procedures
- postpartum support & baby blues
Activities
- belly casts
- creating birth plans
- writing birth affirmations
Age group
Any expecting mom up to age 24
Time & day
Tuesdays: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
*We define ‘girls and young women’ as any persons who have been socialized and/or identify as female. Trans and nonbinary friends are welcome.
Questions? Contact us via email or 515.244.4901.
Related Programs
After School Groups
The Young Women’s Resource Center holds weekly after school groups for young women in the Des Moines area in 5th through 12th grades. These groups explore a variety of topics such as body image, self-esteem, reproductive health and healthy relationships. They include hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers and community service projects. (Groups are currently held online and meet in a virtual space. Project-specific activity kits are provided for participants.)
Better Beginnings Doula Program
The term doula comes from ancient Greek which means, “a woman who serves”. Today Birth Doulas provide practical, emotional, physical, spiritual and informational support. Birth doulas stand by their clients during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Doulas aim to empower clients to have the birth they want, as well as have autonomy over their birth and body.
Childbirth Education Group
Held at the Young Women’s Resource Center, the Pregnancy and Birth Support Group provides comprehensive pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum education for young women and their partners.