Rapides Regional Events Jan. 2014

January 4:  Breastfeeding Class, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Gallery Room in the Medical Terrace at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Intended for women wanting to breastfeed their infants, this one-day class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on advantages, preparation and troubleshooting techniques. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for your baby. Research shows that learning about breastfeeding prenatally enhances your breastfeeding experience. The support partner/father is welcome to attend. Lunch is included. To register, call 318-769-4440.

January 7: Healing Hearts Perinatal Loss Support Group, 6 p.m. Trellis Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital.  The group helps parents who have lost babies. For more information, call 769-7569.

January 8: Diabetes Group Class: 9 a.m. – Noon, Medical Terrace Auditorium at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Rapides Regional Medical Center is offering a free program designed for adults with newly diagnosed diabetes and for people needing a refresher course in diabetes management. This is a basic diabetes program; therefore no physician referral is required. The program content follows the American Diabetes Association guidelines and uses a variety of teaching methods to enhance learning. Topics include meal planning, monitoring blood sugar, medications, complications, and learning to deal with a chronic disease.  The course is taught by Sandy Couvillon, Registered Dietitian, and Amie Starks, Registered Nurse. The program is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (318) 769-3106.

January 13: Look Good…Feel Better, Noon. Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good…Feel Better is a free program led by a trained volunteer cosmetologist who teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients in active therapy. In order to provide complimentary cosmetics, advance registration is required. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to register. Please identify what color makeup kit you will need: light, medium, dark or extra dark.

January 16: Better Breathers Club, Noon, Rapides Health and Lifestyles Center, 724 Scott Street. Rapides Regional Medical Center offers the American Lung Association’s “Better Breathers Club” for patients with chronic lung disease. This is the only Better Breathers Club in Central Louisiana. The meetings will include guest speakers and a chance to ask questions of your own. Lunch is provided. Please pre-register by calling (318) 769-3776.

January 20: Cancer Support Group, Noon, Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. If you or someone you know has cancer, or you are a caretaker of someone with cancer, please join this group on the third Monday of each month. A light meal will be served. Please pre-register by calling (318) 769-7200.

January 23: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, 6 p.m., Gallery Room in the Medical Terrace at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call (800) 644-9730.

January 25: Prepared Childbirth Class, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Gallery Room in the Medical Terrace at Rapides Regional Medical Center.  This one-day class, taught by a certified childbirth instructor, prepares couples for the actual delivery. Topics include stages of labor and delivery, when to go to the hospital, pain management, assisted delivery, Cesarean birth as well as a tour of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A light lunch will be provided. To register, call 318-769-4440.

January 27: Breathing and Relaxation, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Taught by a certified childbirth instructor, this class will be an in-depth opportunity to practice breathing and relaxation techniques and other comfort measures for labor and delivery. The support partner/father is encouraged to attend. Bring pillows to class. To register, call 318-769-4440.