Prepare for Parenthood With Confidence-Building Support
A new baby brings love, joy and change to a family. Build the necessary skills to become the best parent possible with the prenatal, parenting and family education programs at the AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center. Our specially trained teams have been providing support to growing families for more than 30 years, covering topics including:
- Breastfeeding
- Childbirth preparation
- CPR and safety
- Postpartum depression
Our goal is to make sure you receive the most up-to-date information and parenting support so you’re fully prepared for what lies ahead.
We strongly encourage all classes to be completed by 35 weeks.
We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.
Infant Safe Sleep Practices
Our team at AdventHealth knows that sleep is a big challenge for families with babies. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy. That's why we provide resources for our patients outlining safe sleep recommendations to prevent SUID fatalities. AdventHealth is here to help families learn how their babies can sleep safely.
- Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people.
- Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car).
- Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space.
- Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.
Information Empowers Get Ready for One of Life’s Most Important Roles
Check out these class and more by visiting our classes and events page.
- Birth Center Tour
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We want you to feel confident that you’ve chosen the right hospital for your child’s birth. Take a video tour to give you a familiarity with our facility and our team, so that when your baby is ready to arrive, you’re ready, too. If you’ve already chosen AdventHealth as your labor and delivery hospital, an in-person tour is offered as part of AdventHealth maternity navigator visits.
- Childbirth – Five Week
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Focused on the needs of first-time parents, our five-week comprehensive childbirth class series is led by a certified childbirth educator who covers the stages of labor, comfort measures and birthing positions, what to expect at the hospital, medications, as well as our Newborn Care class.
- Childbirth Weekend
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If you’re unable to attend the five-week series class, these two, 1/2-day classes cover the essentials: the stages of labor, comfort measures, birthing positions, what to expect at the hospital and medications. Led by a certified childbirth instructor, it also includes our Newborn Care class.
Click here for 2025 Weekend Childbirth Part 1 class schedule.
Click here for 2025 Weekend Childbirth Part 2 class schedule. - Online Classes
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For expectant mothers whose work or travel schedules make committing to a traditional class a challenge, our online childbirth class provides access to a certified childbirth instructor who is available via email and phone. It’s also a good option for expectant mothers who’ve been placed on bed rest, or for people who prefer to learn at their own pace. The course must be completed within six weeks of purchase.
- Childbirth Natural Strategies
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Do you desire a custom birth plan that’s aligned with your values? This one-time class is a perfect addition to our one-day or five-week classes. You’ll work with a certified instructor to create your birth vision by clarifying your values, writing a birth plan and practicing additional relaxation and comfort measures. Participants need to complete a childbirth preparation class prior to attending.
- Childbirth Refresher and VBAC
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For mothers who’ve given birth in the past, our Childbirth Refresher and VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) class provides ideas and inspiration to make your upcoming birth experience just as special as your first. A certified childbirth instructor will review your previous labor and delivery experience and provide a refresh on the stages of labor, what to expect at the hospital, birthing positions and comfort measures, and medications, as well as topics specific to anyone interested in having a VBAC.
- Newborn Care
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Boost your self-confidence during your early days at home with your newborn by learning about what to expect at the hospital, newborn tests and procedures, baby basics such as bathing, diapering, cord care, safe sleep, calming techniques, and tips from the book Happiest Baby on the Block.
Click here for 2025 class schedule: in-person or virtual
Click here for 2025 class schedule: online - AdventHealth ParentCare
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Whether you have a newborn or a teenager, parenting is not always easy. We're here to help with AdventHealth ParentCare. This program is designed to guide you through your parenting journey and equip you with the tools you need to get your child (regardless of age) to do simple tasks.
This program offers:
- Parenting coaching and Behavior Checker featuring advice for responding to more than 150 of your children’s common behaviors
- Postpartum and parent emotional support, including information about our postpartum support group
- Breastfeeding support and our breastfeeding warm line, Call913-632-4330, where you can speak with a Board-certified lactation consultant seven days a week
- Parent groups, events and classes held at AdventHealth facilities in the Kansas City metropolitan area
- The Britain Development program that involves family and friends in the process of therapeutic treatment and education for children with special needs from birth through six years of age
- Adult behavioral health services offering individualized treatment options for parents, grandparents, caregivers and children.
- Sibling 3-6
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If you already have children, they likely have many questions about your new baby. This class helps children ages 3 to 6 get ready for a newborn sibling, covering topics including what to expect with a new baby in the house. They’ll also get to experience a simulated womb, tour the AdventHealth Birth Center to see where mom and their new sibling will be, and wrap a special gift for them.
- Grandparents Class
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Come see how things have changed! First-time and experienced grandparents will learn how to support their son or daughter and spouse's new role as parents. You'll also become familiar with current safety issues. $25 class fee is for individual grandparent or per couple. This class does not include CPR instruction; please check out our CPR offerings on our website.
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
Birth Center Is Now A
Milk Depot
AdventHealth Birth Center Shawnee Mission has been designated as a milk depot for the Oklahoma Mother's Milk Bank (OMMB). This exciting service means local mothers interested in donating now have the opportunity to provide breast milk to those in need in a way that is convenient and safe.
You must be preapproved by OMMB to donate. If you are interested in learning about the testing and pasteurization process, or to get screened as a donor, contact OMMB. If you are already preapproved by OMMB to donate, call the Breastfeeding WarmLine at 913-632-4330 for next steps on milk drop off.
Meet Your Breastfeeding Goals
Breastfeeding Online
This method of preparing to breastfeed might be a good fit if you prefer to learn at your own pace, have been placed on bed rest or if you work/travel schedules prevent you from committing to a traditional class. This self-paced course is a mix of self-study, reading and video clips via an interactive website. Access to a certified breastfeeding educator is available through email and phone as you work through the class. No refunds available after access code has been emailed to the enrollee. Must have internet access.
Click here for the 2024 class schedule.
Click here for 2025 class schedule.
Breastfeeding Classes: Getting Off to a Good Start
The breastfeeding classes at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s Birth Center provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment and cover everything from the basics of positioning and latching, to pumping and storage once you must return to work. Partners are also encouraged to participate
Click here for 2024 schedule: in-person or virtual
Click here for 2025 schedule: in-person or virtual
Breastfeeding Returning to Work and Pumping
Are you wondering how pumping and returning to work works or what pump you should buy? Are you planning on giving your baby a bottle with breast milk in it and are wondering about storage guidelines or want to learn what baby carriers are easiest to breastfeed in? If so, this class is for you! This class covers from the time babies are about three weeks old on and answers questions such as how to bottle feed a breastfed baby, what type of pump works best for you, pump care and breast milk storage. Dads and partners are encouraged to attend.
Click here for 2024 class schedule.
Click here for 2025 class schedule.
Breastfeeding Warm Line
Once you’ve returned home with your baby, you can access our international board-certified lactation consultants for answers to your questions seven days a week via our Breastfeeding Warm Line. Messages left before 3 pm will be returned the same day.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Share the joys and challenges of breastfeeding when you attend this group for moms and babies of all ages. Facilitated by a lactation consultant, there’s no registration or fee to attend. A baby scale is available to measure progress.
The group meets every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, 9100 W. 74th Street, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204, in the Shawnee Mission Room. Enter through the first floor of the Birth Center and follow the signs for the support group.
Outpatient Breastfeeding Clinic
Get hands-on help and answers to your questions during an outpatient breastfeeding clinic visit. Available to new and expectant mothers, the fee includes a one-hour visit with an international board-certified lactation consultant.
CPR and Safety Train for Life-Saving Care
Infant, child and adult CPR training is available through AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s wellness programs. Ideal for new or expecting parents and grandparents, this course also teaches how to relieve choking.
Please note that registration for these courses is per person and not per couple like our standard Parent Education classes.
Health and Wellness for New Moms Take the Time to Care for Yourself
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s wellness programs offer services to help expectant and new moms be their best selves for their babies. From fitness classes like prenatal yoga to pediatric CPR training and even massage therapy, these programs are designed to support healthy moms and happy families.
Support for the Most Difficult Times: Postpartum and Bereavement
20% of moms experience some type of mood disorder after giving birth. It’s common for these changes to feel overwhelming. To help navigate postpartum emotions, the Birth Center at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission provides support options for a variety of needs and preferences.
Postpartum Support Groups
Learn valuable tips for managing emotional changes while bonding with other mothers who understand the challenge of caring for an infant while caring for yourself. Our postpartum support group meets weekly and a depression risk assessment is given at regular intervals to monitor your improvement.
Individualized Treatment
If you experience the loss of a baby or need the confidentiality of one-on-one treatment, we can help with individualized attention.