Dear Childbirth Class Participants,

Welcome! My name is Nikki Kirunchyk, and I will be your childbirth educator and guide throughout this class. I'm a Registered Nurse with over 12 years of experience in Labor & Delivery at Baptist Health Richmond, and I currently serve as a Maternity Nurse Navigator. I am excited to help you prepare for one of the biggest days of your life.

Our class is held in person at Baptist Health Richmond in the Todd Jones Administrative Conference Room on the first floor. To get to the conference room please park at the north entrance at the front of the hospital. Come through the doors and continue straight past the elevators and the vending machines. It will them be your first door on your right down the hall. I will have the door open, come in, grab a book and a pen and make yourself at home.

The Free Breastfeeding Class will be held right before this class on the same day from 10am-12pm. Please register separately for Marti's breastfeeding class. If you attend the breastfeeding class, there will be a 30-minute lunchbreak, and we will begin the Birthing Class at 12:30.

If you are unable to attend after registering or have any questions before class, please feel free to contact me so I can plan accordingly. My office number is 859-625-3726.

What You Can Expect

Having a baby is exciting, but it's also normal to have questions and even a few worries. My goal is to provide evidence-based information in a relaxed, welcoming environment where you feel comfortable asking questions.

This class is designed to help you:

• Understand what happens during labor, birth and the postpartum period.

• Learn comfort measures and coping techniques for labor.

• Explore pain management options, including epidurals and other medical interventions.

• Understand common hospital procedures and what to expect during your stay.

• Recognize signs of labor and know when to come to the hospital.

• Learn how your support person can help you throughout your labor and birth.

• Discuss inductions, cesarean birth, and unexpected changes to the birth plan.

• Become familiar with newborn care, safe sleep, and Golden Hour.

• Gain confidence with breastfeeding basics and available support resources.

• Feel empowered to make informed decisions that are right for your family.

Whether this is your first baby or you're welcoming another little one, I hope you leave feeling more prepared, more confident, and excited for the journey ahead.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you prepare for your baby's birth!

See you in class!

Nikki Kirunchyk, BSN, RN

Maternity Nurse Navigator/Childbirth Educator

Baptist Health Richmond

859-625-3726