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Hinsdale, IL —
They’re the questions on the tip of every pregnant couple's tongue, but no one wants to talk about them.
At the OMG Prenatal University in Hinsdale, any shame or embarrassment a couple has is left at the door when it comes to learning the ins-and-outs of having a baby and the post-birth stage.
"I think fear of asking questions is part of the reason you want classes in a series so that people can ask questions as they go," said program director Colleen Curry of Plainfield. "I'm here pushing the boundaries, asking questions and using humor, which I do on purpose so couples feel more comfortable asking questions later on."
The Prenatal University, founded by the team at OMG Women’s Healthcare, allows new parents to choose from traditional and non-traditional courses to fit their needs. It also offers classes other pregnancy schools might not teach, such as hypnobirthing, baby boot camp, balancing babies with older siblings and prenatal and postnatal Pilates.
What separates the Prenatal University from other pregnancy courses, though, is it not only supports couples throughout their pregnancy, but also during the birth experience and early parenthood.
Couples also aren’t afraid to ask anything.
The hot-topic theme on this particular class night: rumors surrounding sex.
"Everybody is worried about the ‘hotdog down a hallway,’ but nobody says it," Curry said. "Don't worry. In fact, your body can develop more after childbirth and everything goes back to normal.”
Curry said the only factors stopping sex are if it causes the woman pain, or if the water is broken because then bacteria can enter more easily. Position also can become an issue in the latter months of child bearing.
"Missionary may not be an option anymore; you may have to get out the kama sutra if you have to," she said, laughing.
But the most common question from women Curry and other teachers get is, "Will it hurt during birth?"
"In doing these classes, I wanted to make opportunities for people that weren't there before," she said. "I want to empower women and make them know they have choices. It's sweaty, hard work. That's why they call it labor, but it's not excruciating."
Meanwhile, the most common question from men is, "What is my role?"
They’re the questions on the tip of every pregnant couple's tongue, but no one wants to talk about them.
At the OMG Prenatal University in Hinsdale, any shame or embarrassment a couple has is left at the door when it comes to learning the ins-and-outs of having a baby and the post-birth stage.
"I think fear of asking questions is part of the reason you want classes in a series so that people can ask questions as they go," said program director Colleen Curry of Plainfield. "I'm here pushing the boundaries, asking questions and using humor, which I do on purpose so couples feel more comfortable asking questions later on."
The Prenatal University, founded by the team at OMG Women’s Healthcare, allows new parents to choose from traditional and non-traditional courses to fit their needs. It also offers classes other pregnancy schools might not teach, such as hypnobirthing, baby boot camp, balancing babies with older siblings and prenatal and postnatal Pilates.
What separates the Prenatal University from other pregnancy courses, though, is it not only supports couples throughout their pregnancy, but also during the birth experience and early parenthood.
Couples also aren’t afraid to ask anything.
The hot-topic theme on this particular class night: rumors surrounding sex.
"Everybody is worried about the ‘hotdog down a hallway,’ but nobody says it," Curry said. "Don't worry. In fact, your body can develop more after childbirth and everything goes back to normal.”
Curry said the only factors stopping sex are if it causes the woman pain, or if the water is broken because then bacteria can enter more easily. Position also can become an issue in the latter months of child bearing.
"Missionary may not be an option anymore; you may have to get out the kama sutra if you have to," she said, laughing.
But the most common question from women Curry and other teachers get is, "Will it hurt during birth?"
"In doing these classes, I wanted to make opportunities for people that weren't there before," she said. "I want to empower women and make them know they have choices. It's sweaty, hard work. That's why they call it labor, but it's not excruciating."
Meanwhile, the most common question from men is, "What is my role?"
"When I see the woman in the pregnancy video, it kind of looks like a boxer after five rounds of fighting," said Jason Chellberg of La Grange Park. "Everyone is in your corner talking to you, but they don't really hear you and they don't want to talk."
This brought Curry to another point, that the courses are not just for expecting moms, but also for the dads, who should be supportive and "allow yourself to swell up and feel emotion,” she said.
Curry also addressed one rumor regarding males in the emergency room: passing out during the birth.
"In most situations, a lot of dads say they will sit in the corner, but then more than half of them want to look during birth and touch the baby right when it comes out," she said.
Jamie Chellberg, Jason’s wife, is expecting her first child and just finished attending her second class.
"This has absolutely helped me during my pregnancy," Chellberg said. "I would be lost without it."
