Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center offers the following support groups to provide networking and educational opportunities for people with a variety of needs. Prior registration is required.
-- Prepared Childbirth Series: This class prepares expectant women intellectually, emotionally and physically for the childbearing experience and also helps prepare partners to be active, effective support persons. The weeknight series for the five-week course, is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday or Thursday. The weekend series is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for three Saturdays. For information on when the next available series begins and to request a registration form, call (717) 531-6981. A $63 fee is required with the registration form.
-- Teen Parents: This group provides support for teenagers with children. For information, call (717) 531-1298. This program is free to the public.
July 29-Aug. 4
-- Prenatal Exercise Class: This class teaches expectant women to incorporate good body mechanics and exercises into daily life and includes specific, nonstrenuous physical conditioning exercises designed to contribute to fitness and comfort during pregnancy and childbirth. The class meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 30, at C3621 Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 2, at the University Fitness Center, located on the Penn State Hershey Medical Center campus. Thursday's class is combined with the Postnatal Exercise Class. For information or to register, call (717) 531-6981. This class is free to the public.
-- Postpartum Breast-feeding -- Mothers and Babies Together -- (Topic: Breast-feeding: Developing the art): This class focuses on common concerns of the breast-feeding mother. Babies and fathers are welcome. Meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 31, at Penn State Women's Health Center, Community Health Library, second floor, 670 Cherry Drive, Hershey. For information or to register, call (717) 531-6981 or visit http://www.hmc.psu.edu/womens online. This program is free to the public.
-- Hemophilia Resource Group: The meeting will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, in cafeteria rooms A and B at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For information or to register, call (717) 531-7468. This program is free to the public.
-- Food Allergy Support Group: This is a support group for caregivers of children suffering from anaphylactic food allergies. It provides an opportunity to network and meet other parents and learn more about how to deal with potentially life-threatening food allergies. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, in the auditorium anteroom of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For information, call (717) 531-1786. This program is free to the public.
-- Postnatal Exercise Class: This class teaches new mothers specific, physical conditioning exercises designed to facilitate physical rehabilitation after pregnancy and delivery. Class meets from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 2, at the University Fitness Center, located on the Penn State Hershey Medical Center campus, and is combined with the Prenatal Exercise Class. Call (717) 531-6981 for information or to register. This program is free to the public.
-- Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group: The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, in the auditorium anteroom at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For information, call (717) 531-4291. This program is free to the public.
Aug. 5-11
-- Muscular Dystrophy Association and Myasthenia Gravis Support Group: The meeting will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, in dining room A at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For iformation, call (717) 531-8521. This program is free to the public.
-- Prenatal Exercise Class: This class teaches expectant women to incorporate good body mechanics and exercises into daily life and includes specific, nonstrenuous physical conditioning exercises designed to contribute to fitness and comfort during pregnancy and childbirth. The class meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, in C3621 Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Aug. 9, at the University Fitness Center, located on the Penn State Hershey Medical Center campus. Thursday's class is combined with the Postnatal Exercise Class. For information or to register, call (717) 531-6981. This class is free to the public.
-- Postpartum Breast-feeding -- Mothers and Babies Together -- (Topic: Dealing with family attitudes): This class focuses on common concerns of the breast-feeding mother. Babies and fathers are welcome. Meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Penn State Women's Health Center, Community Health Library, second floor, 670 Cherry Drive, Hershey. For information or to register, call (717) 531-6981 or visit http://www.hmc.psu.edu/womens online. This program is free to the public.
-- Childbirth Refresher Class: The class includes a review of the process of labor and delivery, relaxation techniques and breathing patterns. Class meets from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, in C3621 Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For information, call (717) 531-6981. Cost is $21.
-- Analgesia and Anesthesia in Childbirth Class: This class provides expectant parents with an opportunity to speak directly with an obstetric anesthesiologist and learn her role in childbirth. Class meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Mohler Senior Center, 660 Cherry Drive, Hershey. For information, call (717) 531-6981. This class is free to the public.
-- Postnatal Exercise Class: This class teaches new mothers specific, physical conditioning exercises designed to facilitate physical rehabilitation after pregnancy and delivery. Class meets from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 9, at the University Fitness Center, located on the Penn State Hershey Medical Center campus, and is combined with the Prenatal Exercise Class. Call (717) 531-6981 for information or to register. This program is free to the public.