GBMC Facebook Live discusses Parent Education

Whether you’re having your first child or your fourth, knowing what to expect and how to care for your little ones and yourself can make the experience less stressful and more blissful. GBMC Parent Educator and Doula Coordinator, Lanny Dowell, shared her tips and advice for parents-to-be and new parents with Good Morning Maryland’s Ashley James, who’s a new mom herself.

“GBMC is the only hospital in the area that offers a fully staffed birth and postpartum program,” explained Lanny. “We work with parents from preconception, for people facing fertility issues, through pregnancy, birth, and after to help families get prepared to welcome their child and care for him or her when they get home. Our job as doulas is to take away stress by helping women through labor and birth and during those first days at home as the whole family adjusts to having a new addition so you’re off to a great start.”

In addition to the labor and delivery and post-partum doula services at GBMC, the hospital also offers a wide range of classes to help women and their partners prepare for birth and caring for their new baby, from infant care and CPR to breastfeeding and sibling preparation. There’s also a “warm line” that anyone can call, regardless of where they delivered their baby, where lactation consultants provide advice on breast and bottle feeding.

“Our classes are a great chance to meet other moms, make new friends, and establish playgroups and parent get-togethers,” added Lanny. “You can feel a bit isolated as a new parent and making these connections helps you avoid that feeling and the additional stress it can cause.”