
DATE: Monday, April 21, 1997                TAG: 9704190064

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REBECCA MYERS CUTCHINS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   55 lines

CHILDBIRTH REFRESHER COURSE EXPECTANT GRANDPARENTS ROLE AND ``LABORS OF LOVE'' AT MARYVIEW SESSION.

For years, expectant parents have attended Lamaze classes to learn breathing techniques and methods of relaxation during labor.

Now there's a class for expectant grandparents in need of a refresher course in childbirth education.

The class, taught by registered nurse Deena Scintilla, will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth. Admission is $5.

``Most of the grandparents today would be around my age, in their 40s, and things have changed a lot,'' said Scintilla, a certified childbirth educator.

In her class, Scintilla will try to dispel the myths. For example, some people believe a pregnant woman shouldn't lift her arms above her head because the baby's umbilical cord will wrap around its neck.

``You'd be surprised at how many of these old wives' tales I still get in my Lamaze classes,'' Scintilla said.

She also will talk about the important role grandparents play in their grandchildren's lives.

``They bring to the family a moral framework - they can pass on traditions,'' Scintilla said. ``And a lot of times, they have more time and resources than the parents do.''

In an exercise called ``labors of love,'' Scintilla will help grandparents brainstorm ways to make their children's lives a little easier before and after the birth of the baby.

``Grandparents can really help by doing things like freezing casseroles and giving gift certificates for maid services and pregnancy massages,'' she said.

Other topics will include safety-proofing the home, sudden infant death syndrome, breastfeeding, and avoiding conflicts.

``I don't want new parents to hear one thing in class and then have their parents say, `Well, we didn't do that with you, and you turned out fine,' '' Scintilla said.

``I want to be able to supply them with facts so there won't be any conflicts with the new parents.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JIM WALKER

Deena Scintilla will teach a class for expectant grandparents

Sunday. ``I want to be able to supply them with facts so there won't

be any conflicts with the new parents,'' she says.

Graphic

IF YOU GO

What: A class for expectant or new grandparents.

When: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Maryview Medical Center, Conference Room A, Portsmouth.

How much: $5. Reservations required.

Call: 488-3146.