Health Care Classes Reopen for Mothers-to-Be in Shanghai

Shanghai is once again offering classes for expectant mothers after a suspension amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Many restarted their courses at the health education center of the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute (IPMCH), a professional obstetrics and gynecology hospital.

Targeted courses on maternity care during pregnancy and puerperium, breastfeeding and infant rearing are held based on learners' various needs. 

The lecturers include preschool teachers and nutritionists in addition to the ob-gyn and pediatric medical workers who have won awards in the city's teaching competitions.

The applicants can make reservations for off-line courses on practical skills while the theoretical lessons remain to be provided online.

In the classes, the expectant moms and dads can also participate in activities such as diet races and gravida gymnastics.

Early education for infants is also part of the services of the center, which include parent-child activities, baby races, consultations and lectures on intelligence development and reading.  

The health education center in the hospital was set up in 1976 to better serve women and infants under 3. It is committed to popularizing knowledge of maternity and newborn care and to exploring more effective approaches to improve its services.

(Source: Xinhua and ipmch.com.cn/Translated and edited by Women of China)