• Weekend Lamaze Class
  This class is for parents-to-be whose schedules will not permit a seven-class series. This class focuses on the labor and birth process. Tour included.

• Refresher Lamaze Classes
  Reviews relaxation, breathing techniques and the birthing process.

• Marvelous Moms
  This class open to all moms will give you the opportunity to learn about preserving your baby’s pictures and special memories.  Organizing tips & proper car seat installation will be included.

• Sibling Class/Tour
  This special program is designed for children as they anticipate the arrival of their new brother or sister. Class held at CVMC includes tour of Birthing Center.

• "Grand" Grandparenting Class
  This class reacquaints grandparents with the childbirth experience. Class held at CVMC includes tour of Birthing Center.

• "Great Start" Breastfeeding Class
  This class covers prenatal breastfeeding basics to get you and your baby off to a great start! Taught by a certified Lactation Consultant.

• Infant CPR
  Small classes allow individual instruction.

• Positive Parenting
  CVMC's basic baby care class eases the transition into parenthood and fosters a healthy start for your child.

• Infant Massage Class
  Massage helps strengthen and regulate baby's respiratory, circulatory and gastrointestinal functions. Parents benefit by establishing a loving communication with their child.

• Birth Of A Father
  Fathers and fathers-to-be gain insight into the female psyche and physiological and emotional changes women go through before, during and after pregnancy.

Maternal Support Referrals If you need help coping during pregnancy and/or after baby’s arrival, please call 828-485-2300 or 828-326-3200 for assistance.

Lactation Station
Throughout time mothers have enjoyed the closeness created while breastfeeding their babies. Besides the mother-baby bonding that occurs with breastfeeding, babies also gain increased immunity to illness while receiving the most digestible and nourishing food possible. Because Catawba Valley Medical Center is committed to assisting and supporting every family's breastfeeding goals, the medical center offers a variety of resources for breastfeeding mothers. New and expectant moms are invited to visit Lactation Station at CVMC's health outreach location, the Health First Center in Valley Hills Mall, Hickory where they will find Medela products including breast pumps for purchase or rent, breastfeeding supplies and intimate apparel. New or expectant mothers wishing to be properly fitted for a maternity bra are invited to make an appointment for a bra fitting by a certified staff person at the Health First Center by calling 828/485-2300. For more information on the services and products available through Lactation Station, please visit the Health First Center on the lower level of Valley Hills Mall next to Belk or call 828/485-2300.

In addition, CVMC's Birthing Center nurses are trained to offer lactation support and have lactation specialists on staff to provide in-hospital breastfeeding assistance after birth. And outpatient lactation consultation is available by appointment and six-day-a-week assistance is offered through the medical center's Lactation Helpline at 828/326-2086. Medela breast pumps are also available for rental from the Birthing Center.

Women’s Health & Wellness Classes

• Sultry Days & Sleepless Nights
  Menopause is a natural event and the physical changes that occur should not prevent you from enjoying this time of your life. Included in the program will be information on what to expect, how to help relieve symptoms and how to stay healthy during menopause.

• Osteoporosis: A Bad Break
  Women of all ages need to take steps to keep their bones strong. Unfortunately, millions of women already have or are at risk for osteoporosis. Because there are no symptoms, you might not know your bones are getting weak until you break a bone. This class will teach ways to help keep your bones strong.

• Bone Health: Truth & Myth
  Think popping a calcium supplement is all you need to ward off osteoporosis? Take a closer look at what's fact, what's fiction and what you can do to protect your bones.

• Menopause and Aging: A Threshold Seminar
  The term menopause conjures up a wide variety of images for women. Generation after generation, women have made assumptions about the nature of menopause and the changes it causes. This class should help women take an active part in making healthcare decisions that lay ahead. Taught by Sharon Smith, RN, MSN and Certified Menopause Educator.

• The Heart of the Matter
  Heart disease is the number one killer of women over the age of 50. In recent years, more women than men died of heart attacks. Early signs of heart attack can include palpitations, cold sweats, nausea or dizziness. This program, designed to help attendees evaluate their heart health, will include suggested heart-healthy activities for your daily routine.

• When Sleep Won’t Come
  According to the National Sleep Foundation, 47 million American adults don’t get enough sleep to ensure good health, safety and optimum performance. The resulting sleepiness is often the cause in accidents and can negatively affect home and work life. Many menopausal women have sleep disturbances. If lack of quality sleep is a concern, this program will include tips and remedies for getting a good night’s rest.

Screening Tests and Immunizations Guidelines for Women

Women Aged 18-39*
Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 3 years
Blood Pressure Check Yearly
Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney Dysfunction at least e very 3 years
Urinalysis at least every 3 years
Skin and Breast Self-exams monthly**
Clinical Breast Exams at least every 3 years**
Pap Smears yearly beginning at age 21 or within 3 years of becoming sexually active; at age 30, after 3 consecutive normal Pap Smears, discuss with physician about decreasing to every 2-3 years**
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
Eye and Ear Exams, if problems occur
Dental Exam is recommended 1 to 2 times a year
Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
Influenza Vaccine, discuss with physician

Women Aged 40-49*
Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 2 years
Blood Pressure Check yearly
Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney Dysfunction at least every 2 years
Urinalysis at least every 2 years
Skin and Breast Self-exams monthly**
Clinical Breast Exam yearly**
Mammograms yearly**
Pap Smears every 2-3 years after 3 consecutive normal Pap smears**
Electrocardiogram (EKG), discuss with physician
Colorectal Screening, discuss with MD if you have a family history**
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if your have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years
Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
Influenza Vaccine, discuss with physician

*These recommendations are for women at average risk. Women with chronic illnesses, strong family histories or weakened immune systems should consult their physicians about screenings and immunizations.
**American Cancer Society’s recommendations

Women Aged 50-64*
Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams yearly
Blood Pressure Check yearly
Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney Dysfunction yearly
Urinalysis yearly
Skin and Breast Self-exams monthly**
Clinical Breast Exams yearly**
Mammograms yearly**
Pap Smears every 2-3 years after 3 consecutive normal Pap smears*
Electrocardiogram (EKG), discuss with physician
Colorectal Screening
Rectal Exam yearly
Fecal Occult test yearly** and
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years** or
Barium Enema every 5 years** or
Colonoscopy every 10 years**
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if your have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years
Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
Influenza Vaccine yearly

Women Aged 65 and Older*
Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams yearly
Blood Pressure Check yearly
Tuberculosis Skin Test every 5 years
Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney Dysfunction yearly
Urinalysis yearly
Skin and Breast Self-exams monthly**
Clinical Breast Exams yearly**
Mammograms yearly**
Pap Smears every 2-3 years after 3 consecutive normal Pap smears**
Electrocardiogram (EKG), discuss with physician
Colorectal Screening
Rectal Exam yearly
Fecal Occult Test yearly** and
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years** or
Barium Enema every 5 years** or
Colonoscopy every 10 years**
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
Eye (including Glaucoma Screening) and Ear Exams every 1-2 years
Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
Influenza Vaccine yearly
Pneumococcal Vaccine - one time only

If you need a physician, please call our Physician Referral Service at (828) 324-0258