By: Ryan Duey

The Clay County Health Department (CCHD) will host a series of six classes for expecting parents next year. “Becoming a Mom” is a provider-recommended prenatal class designed to help and prepare future mothers and fathers.

Nikki Burwell, Public Health Nurse and Prenatal Education Instructor, will teach the classes. Burwell said the classes are designed to improve participants’ chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, plus more.

“We talk a lot about labor and delivery, how to be successful in feeding your baby, whether that be breastfeeding or formula feeding, how to care for your infant, and then of course, how to care for yourself during and after pregnancy. And that does include physical as well as mental health as well, which is so important.”

Sessions for mothers and fathers expecting in May of 2025 start on January 21st, expecting June parents classes start on February 18th, and expecting July parents classes begin on March 18th. Two classes will be offered, from 10:00 a.m. to noon or 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burwell said these classes are designed this way to allow support from other mothers in similar situations.

“The most important part about the classes I think is I’ve always said it takes a village to raise any child, and we group these classes into birth months. So, for example, if you’re due in May then classes will start here and all the moms that are in that class are usually due in May. So, it allows them to get some extra support. Each of the moms that are due the same time, and you know, usually in a lot of similar situations.”

Classes will be held in the Health Department Meeting Room and are entirely free. Class sizes are limited so it’s important to register early. Register by contacting the Health Department at (785) 632-3193 or emailing Burwell at nburwell@claycountykansas.org.