Family Centered Maternity Care

In our local communities, childbirth is viewed as an exciting time for many family members as well as the mother. We recognize that parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family want to be a part of the joyous occasion.  To meet those expectations, Oak Valley offers a number of perinatal education classes to provide both mother and family members the knowledge and confidence to care for the new arrival. 

Along with the mother’s physician, a team of experienced and highly skilled health care professionals in Oak Valley’s Family Centered Maternity unit utilize the latest technology available to help the mother through labor, delivery and throughout her hospital stay to make sure she and the newborn have a healthy start.

Prior to childbirth, we encourage mothers and interested family members to inquire about participation in our perinatal classes designed to make pregnancy and infant care a positive experience.

Childbirth Preparation

This four week course covers issues surrounding childbirth including breathing techniques, pain management, vaginal birth or cesarean birth and is and provides an excellent opportunity to ask questions.  Information typically includes how the baby is developing, warning signs if something is wrong, how to make pregnancy, labor and delivery more comfortable, how to determine when labor begins, what to expect during labor and delivery and the role of the coach or labor partner.

Typically, this class is taken by the mother and her labor coach during the third trimester of pregnancy, when the mother is about 7 months pregnant.

At Oak Valley Hospital, classes take place the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the first floor Golden Oaks Conference Room at the Oak Valley Medical Plaza, 1425 West H Street, Oakdale.  The cost of the four week course is $35.  Classes are offered in English and Spanish. For additional information and to register, call 848-4194 or email dcroy@ovhd.com.

Breastfeeding Class

Oak Valley maternity professionals support mother baby bonding by breastfeeding and offers a two hour class, taught by a lactation educator, every third Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the first floor Golden Oaks Conference Room at the Oak Valley Medical Plaza, adjacent to the hospital at 1425 West H Street, Oakdale.  The class cost is $10 and is offered in English and Spanish. The medical staff at Oak Valley Hospital encourages new mothers to explore this option in the third trimester or 7th month of pregnancy. Call 848-4194 for more information on how to register or email dcroy@ovhd.com.

Infant Safety

As all newborns are required by California law to ride home from the hospital in a car seat, it is a good idea to be prepared in advance.  A short class led by a certified car seat technician teaches the safe installation of a car seat as well as giving parents advice on how to insure infant safety in the home.  Car seats for infants may be purchased at a discount once the course is completed.  Classes are scheduled for the third Monday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at 1405 West F Street, Oakdale.  Classes are offered in English and Spanish.  Call 847-5121 to register.  There is no charge for the class.  It is one of the many community benefit programs Oak Valley Hospital provides at no cost.

Stork Tour

This tour is an opportunity for expectant parents and family members to visit the maternity unit at the hospital and meet with the Family Centered Maternity Care team.  The tour offers a great time to ask questions and become more informed about the pending birth. Tours are scheduled upon request in either English or Spanish. Call 848-4194 to arrange a tour at no charge or email dcroy@ovhd.com .

Finding a Physician

If you live in the area served by Oak Valley Hospital (Oakdale, Knights Ferry, Valley Home, Waterford, Riverbank, Escalon or east Modesto) and do not yet have a physician specializing in maternity care, click here to identify local physicians serving this area.

If you live in this area and do not currently have medical care, please visit one of our neighborhood health clinics, conveniently located in Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon.  Click here for Clinic locations and hours.