Here’s how to get started:

1. Discover the value.

Check out our website to learn more about how Amma classes can help you achieve better outcomes and birthing experiences with our evidence-based curriculum. Visit https://ammaparenting.com/classes/ for more information

2. Connect.

Schedule a quick 30-minute informational call with Amma’s Corporate Program Manager, Lyndie Shackelford, at 952.201.5278 or ly****@***********ng.com.

3. Meet.

Need to add more people to the conversation? Let’s get together! We can talk through all of your questions and present various options for how you might want to structure your Amma partnership. For example, do you want to offer classes on site at your location? Do you want your patients to attend classes at Amma’s locations? Both? We’ll present all the options and you can determine what works best for you.

4. Decide.

This step is easy. Once you see how much your health system has to gain with Amma childbirth classes—and how little labor or investment it requires from you—you can give us a thumbs up on getting started.

5. Review the details.

We’ll send over an onboarding plan, a timeline, and a service agreement for your review. You don’t pay a thing to gain Amma as your partner—you simply agree to send your patients to us. The contract will also include whatever components we determine together in Step 3.

6. Design your program.

While the details are being reviewed on your end, we can keep moving forward on getting you set up. We’ll talk through how you communicate with your patients, and how you will tell them about Amma classes.  For example, what tools do you have for communicating with them? What materials will you need for spreading the word? We’ll show you best practices and together we’ll create a plan.

7. Set up your website.

We’ll provide everything you need to add Amma classes to your health system’s website, including scheduling support. Our scheduling software can plug and play with your existing calendar system—so your patients can have a seamless experience.

8. Review your custom marketing materials.

Remember, we’re here to provide everything you need for communicating with your patients about the Amma classes—but it’s up to you to get the word out. So let us know what you need. Many health systems start with a postcard, a flier, a jpg image, and a blurb they can use in newsletters, emails, and social postings. All of these materials are included in your package (and more, if you need them).

9. Set up any onsite classes.

If you opt to have Amma teach on site at your location(s), our educators will begin to get familiar with the classrooms, stock them with everything they need, and meet with your staff as necessary.

10. Relax—knowing your patients have what they need.

With Amma, your patients will have quality childbirth and parenting education, as well as the support of an ongoing Amma community.

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Many doctors say that when they walk into a delivery room, they can tell if the mother has taken childbirth classes. If the mother is calm and confident, it’s clear she has. Mothers who aren’t prepared can be far more anxious, which can lead to a more stressful birth experience—and more difficult deliveries.

In fact, according to a recent study in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, expectant mothers who have received childbirth education have a higher rate of vaginal deliveries and a lower rate of vacuum extractions and cesarean deliveries. Evidence also shows that birthing classes can help prevent postpartum depression in new mothers.

The childbirth education solution.

Because of how important these classes are, many OBs and Midwives send their patients to specialized childbirth educators like Amma Parenting.

“It’s not possible as clinicians to devote the time necessary to comprehensively educate women on a birth plan and expectations,” says Amma’s chief medical officer Annelise Skor Swigert, MD, FACOG. “Partnering with Amma raises the quality of information and preparation patients receive—and it allows doctors to focus on patient care.”

Why Amma?

Amma’s teaching team of registered nurses, board-certified lactation consultants, and certified childbirth educators is committed to improving the birthing experience.

They deliver evidence-based curriculum—designed in collaboration with Dr. Swigert, a board-certified OB/GYN physician—that resonates with patients and prepares them for a successful birth.

Amma has provided childbirth education services for over 15 years and is the largest provider of childbirth education in the Midwest. Three of the top health systems in Minnesota choose Amma as their provider of choice, and hundreds of OBs and Midwives trust their patients to Amma.

Are you looking for a simple way to support good birthing outcomes? Amma Parenting can help.

The post One important way OB/GYNs and Midwives are improving birth outcomes appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Discover the value.

Check out our website to learn how Amma classes can help you stand out as an employer of choice and support your bottom line at the same time. Here are a few of the top advantages to an Amma benefits package: Our classes help keep your workforce healthy and engaged, reduce the chance of complicated and expensive childbirth, prevent postpartum depression, reduce stress, support your employees and their families, and protect your investment in your people. Visit ammaparenting.com/employers to learn more.

2. Connect.

Schedule a quick 30-minute call with Amma’s partner relations manager, Lyndie Shackelford, at 952.201.5278 or ly****@***********ng.com.

3. Meet.

Need to add more people to the conversation? Let’s get together! We can talk through all of your questions and present various options for how you might want to structure your employee benefit. For example, do you want to cover one class per employee? Unlimited classes? Something in between? Do you want to cover spouses of employees? We’ll present all the options and you can determine what works best for you.

4. Decide.

This step is easy. Once you see how much your business has to gain with Amma Parenting classes, you can give us a thumbs up on getting started. From this point on, we can have you fully set up in just three weeks!

5. Review your contract.

We’ll send over our contract for your review. Our clients especially love two things about our contracts: First, you only pay for the classes your employees actually take, nothing more. And, second, there’s no long-term obligation—you can change plans at any time. The contract will cover pricing, billing, and whatever components we determine together in Step 3.

6. Design your launch.

While the contract is being reviewed on your end, we can keep moving forward on getting you set up. We’ll talk through how you’d like to let your employees know about this new benefit and what kind of language you’d like to use when you talk about it. For example, will Amma Parenting classes be part of your wellness program or your benefits package? What tools do you have for communicating with employees? What materials will you need for spreading the word? Together we’ll nail down the details. 

7. Review and approve your custom website.

We’ll take everything we’ve discussed and use it to create a custom, co-branded Amma landing page exclusively for your employees. This page will have a custom URL you can distribute to your team, so your employees have a consistent, clear online experience and they only see the language and classes that fit your offerings.

8. Review custom marketing materials.

Remember, we’re here to provide everything you need for communicating with your employees about the Amma classes—but it’s up to you to get the word out. So let us know what you need. Many employers start with a postcard, a flier, a jpg image, and a blurb they can use in newsletters, emails, and social postings. All of these materials are included in your package (and more, if you need them). 

9. Sign your contract and launch!

As soon as we’ve completed all the steps above and received the signed contract, your custom web page will go live and your employees can begin accessing classes!

10. Get monthly updates and ongoing support.

Every month, with your invoice, we’ll include a report on all of the activity with your employees. And we’re always here with marketing support!

The post 10 easy steps to bringing Amma to your team appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

Solving this challenge is complex. As your organization looks for proactive solutions, one strategic choice is to outsource childbirth education services to a specialized provider like Amma Parenting. Not only can outsourcing childbirth classes free up your staff to focus on direct patient care, but evidence-based childbirth education like Amma’s is also proven to reduce complications during the birthing process.

With Amma, OB/GYNs and Midwives can trust that patients are receiving education that’s based on the most current best practices and medical insights. All Amma childbirth classes are taught by registered nurses or certified childbirth educators, and Amma handles all the logistics—removing that time-consuming task from your plate. 

Amma has provided childbirth education services for over 15 years and is the largest provider of childbirth education in the Midwest. Three of the top health systems in Minnesota choose Amma as their provider of choice, and OBs, Midwives, and new moms trust Amma for the highest level of support.

Is it time for your organization to free up staff and better support expectant moms? 

The post One simple way to reduce childbirth risks AND staff hours appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

The good news is there are ways to turn this trend around. According to the study, 23% of women cited the top three things organizations could provide to help them want to stay: better support with childcare, the opportunity for short-term sabbaticals, and better support for mental health.

One way some employers are achieving this is by adding childbirth classes and parenting support groups to their benefits offering. Not only does prenatal education provide tangible support for parents, it’s proven to reduce postpartum depression rates and improve the mental health of new mothers. 

Throughout the Midwest, companies are partnering with Amma Parenting to bring this kind of support to their employees. New mothers get to learn from Amma’s skilled childbirth experts, employers can build a more supportive culture for working mothers, and the Amma team makes it easy by handling all the logistics. Most importantly, this kind of education leads to healthier births, faster recoveries, and greater support for the mental health of working mothers. 

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One factor that’s proven to reduce complications is childbirth education. Studies show that when new and expectant mothers are well-prepared for the birthing process, the risk of complications is significantly reduced, which is why OB/GYNs and Midwives strongly recommend childbirth education to their patients.

Historically, hospitals and clinics offered childbirth classes on-site, but today many are outsourcing this service to external educators instead—so resources can be focused on direct patient needs.

Amma Parenting is the childbirth education provider of choice for the three largest health systems in Minnesota and many other health providers throughout the Midwest. Amma provides evidence-based curriculum based on the latest research, taught by registered nurses and certified childbirth educators. And, because Amma handles the logistics from end to end, OBs, Midwives, and other staff are freed up to do what they do best—focus on patients.

More and more health systems are seeing the value of outsourcing childbirth education. Is your organization ready to do the same?

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One group that’s particularly vulnerable to leaving their jobs, pandemic or not, is new moms. For employers, it’s important to find ways to support these new parents. Experiencing high turnover within that demographic can directly impact a company’s bottom line—and reputation.

As one solution, many employers are offering opportunities for working moms to connect through parenting classes and new-parent groups.

A recent Forbes article advises employers that parent-employee groups can create “a better environment” for new parents returning to work: “When your business becomes a place that holds solutions to your employees’ work-life balance challenges, such as parenting, loyalty increases and employees feel more understood and valued not just their work output, but for who they are.”

Many employers throughout Minnesota and the Midwest are partnering with Amma Parenting to provide new-parent classes to their workforce.

“Our mom and baby classes are a unique hybrid of education and support,” says Gwen Martin, Amma’s CEO. “We find that working moms benefit greatly from the connections they gain with other parents who are experiencing similar challenges.”

It’s not uncommon for moms to form lifelong friendships that started in Amma’s classes and groups. That kind of support makes a lasting difference for the parents, the kids, and the employers.

The post How to support new moms—and why it matters appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

The reasons for their absence vary but many of these moms are still at home because of their kids and families. Some can’t find childcare, or can no longer justify the cost of it. Some are navigating the ongoing health risks. Some have simply come to appreciate more time at home.

As your business looks for ways to attract and retain female workers, factoring in family support will be more important than ever. Family first is the priority for many of these mothers, and they’ll be looking for employers who understand that.

One tangible way to stand out as a family-supportive employer is by offering high-quality prenatal and postnatal classes as a benefit to your employees. While an offering like this is appealing to job candidates who may plan to become pregnant, it’s also a clear indicator to any mother or father that your workplace supports parents.

Amma Parenting makes it easy to offer premium parenting support. For over 15 years, Amma’s expert team has been helping moms have healthier births, better recoveries, and lower chances of postpartum depression. Three of the largest health systems in Minnesota recommend Amma as the preferred provider of prenatal education, and mothers rave about their experiences with Amma.

Show your current and potential employees that you’re committed to supporting their families, help bring mothers back to work, and create a workplace culture where parents can thrive.

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Employers play a bigger role in preventing and treating PPD than they might realize—and they pay a greater cost for ignoring it.

The cost of a hands-off approach

Leaving PPD to chance can result in expensive consequences. Healthcare costs are almost twice as high for women with PPD compared to those without—and visits to the emergency room are four times more likely. And, if PPD leaves a woman unable to return to work at all, replacing her position can cost up to 150% of her salary.

The good news is, according to the Center for Workplace Mental Health, employers can have a significant impact on preventing PPD and mitigating its damage.

Employers make a big difference

Experts stress that social support is key to preventing PPD, and many recommend that employers provide various kinds of support, including some form of prenatal education and/or new-parent groups. Doing so sends a positive message to new and expectant parents, and it’s an important, tangible way to buffer the risks of PPD.

Many employers in the Midwest achieve this goal by partnering with Amma Parenting. Amma’s expert teachers bring new-parent classes and support groups directly to their workforce, providing new moms with the information, skills, and social support they need to understand PPD, prevent it, and pursue treatment if needed.

Employers who understand how to support new moms will help protect the health of their employees, their employees’ families, and their bottom line.

The post The high cost of postpartum depression for employers appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

C-sections hit all-time high

In 2018, over 31% of all babies born in the U.S. were delivered by C-section, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s twice the 10-15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization. And some U.S. hospitals have reported C-section rates as high as 60%.

Education makes a difference

Helping new moms avoid preventable C-sections is an important way to ensure that employees stay healthier, return to work sooner, and keep hospital costs lower. Because of this, many employers have begun including childbirth preparation and new parent classes in their employee benefit offerings.

Expectant mothers who know what to expect are better prepared for a natural birth and are far less likely to need a C-section—and high-quality birth-preparation classes have been proven to lower the rate of C-sections by up to 75%.

Amma makes it easy

Many employers partner with Amma Parenting to bring premium-quality childbirth education to their employees. Amma’s expert teachers use evidence-based curriculum to equip expectant mothers with skills and confidence, the Amma team handles all the class logistics, and—most importantly—new mothers have healthier births and faster recoveries.

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While childbirth classes have traditionally been provided by OBs, Midwives, nurses, or staff, more and more clinics are choosing to outsource this important task to a dedicated childbirth educator like Amma Parenting. Here’s why:

1. It frees up clinic staff to focus on patients.

   Clinics can free up staff hours when they outsource their new-parent education programs to Amma. Not only can medical staff spend their valuable time with patients, but they also eliminate the operational costs (and hassles) of scheduling and delivering training.

2. It ensures evidence-based curriculum based on the latest research.

   Amma takes the time to stay abreast of current best practices and prevailing medical insights, culling through sometimes-conflicting information and distilling it down to content OBs and Midwives trust and patients can use. Curriculum development is led by Amma’s chief medical officer, Annelise Skor Swigert, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN physician, and all Amma childbirth classes are taught by registered nurses or certified childbirth educators.

3. It provides ongoing support for new parents.

   Amma Parenting provides parenting classes and support groups that help new parents and their babies stay healthy and supported for the long run.

If you make the switch to outsourcing, you’ll need a partner who knows how to handle the entire education experience from end to end—factoring in all the complexities of the ever-changing healthcare industry. Amma has provided childbirth education services for over 15 years and is the largest provider of childbirth education in the Midwest. Amma is a trusted name among OBs, Midwives, and the new moms they serve.

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If your organization is thinking about outsourcing, it will be critical to get your medical team on board. Your OB/GYNs and Midwives will need complete confidence in the quality of any outside partner. As you consider your options, here are four things to keep in mind:

1. Prioritize evidence-based curriculum.

   Not all childbirth educators teach content that’s backed by the medical community. Amma Parenting’s curriculum development is led by its chief medical officer, Annelise Skor Swigert, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN physician. Through an evidence-based lens, Amma takes the time to stay abreast of current best practices and prevailing medical insights, culling through sometimes-conflicting information and distilling it down to content your medical team can trust and your patients can use.
   
   

2. Choose a partner endorsed by OBs and Midwives.

   The most important stakeholders in a decision to outsource childbirth education are the OBs and Midwives at your organization, so select a partner that others in the industry already recommend. In the Twin Cities area, the three largest health systems have named Amma as their preferred provider of childbirth education, and over 450 OBs within those health systems recommend Amma to their patients.
   
   

3. Be sure you know who’s actually teaching your classes.

   At Amma, all childbirth classes are taught by registered nurses or certified childbirth educators—and every Amma teacher is passionate about healthy mamas, babies, and childbirth.
   
   

4. Choose a leader with experience.

   If you make the switch to outsourcing, you’ll need a partner who knows how to deliver the entire education experience from end to end—factoring in all the complexities of the ever-changing healthcare industry. Amma has provided childbirth education services for over 15 years and is the largest provider of childbirth education in the Midwest. Amma is a trusted name among healthcare providers—and, just as importantly, expectant moms.

More and more healthcare providers are seeing the value of outsourcing childbirth education. Is now the time for your organization?

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What’s changing their minds?

New parents cite several key reasons for leaving the workforce, including:

• Lack of child care
• Inflexible work hours
• Doctor appointments and clinic visits
• Postpartum depression

For employers, replacing these employees is costly (typically 150% of their yearly wage), and many are looking for ways to help working moms navigate the challenges of parenting.

Research shows that parenting education makes a difference.

Taking prenatal and new-parent classes, and being a part of parenting support groups, is proven to help new moms:

• Build confidence
• Reduce stress
• Reduce distraction at work
• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Reduce postpartum depression

Through new-parent education and support, Amma Parenting has been helping employers retain and attract working moms since 2007. To see how easy it is to add Amma Parenting to your benefits package, schedule a chat with us today.

The post Why are 43% of new moms leaving the workforce? appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.

As a national leader in wellness, Minnesota’s M Health Fairview prides itself on providing outstanding health benefits to its 32,000 employees. “Healthcare is a highly competitive hiring environment,” says Alexis, employee wellbeing specialist at Fairview. “We want to be the employer of choice.”

Attracting and retaining top talent

Each year, Alexis and the HR team reevaluate their benefits package—and only the best offerings make the cut. Amma Parenting is always on the list. The mostly female employee population at Fairview has raved about Amma’s prenatal education and new-mom support groups.

“Our employees love Amma’s robust programming,” says Alexis. “They even have an infant CPR class for grandparents!”

Happy mamas = Happy employees

Since incorporating Amma Parenting’s in-person and video classes in 2014, employee participation in these programs continues to grow. Word of mouth is strong—with 98% of participants expressing satisfaction with Amma’s education and many Fairview employees staying connected for years after their initial prenatal and new mama classes. Many employees who became moms together are still supporting each other through each new stage of parenthood.

Relying on trusted educators

With many of M Health Fairview’s employees being medical professionals themselves, the expertise provided by Amma’s ICEA-certified (International Childbirth Education Association) educators is especially important.

“We have a great partnership with Amma,” says Alexis. “They are so easy to communicate with and always open to new ideas.”

Do you want to help new parents in your workforce reduce depression and stay productive? Schedule a chat with us today to see how easy it is to add parenting support to your benefits package.

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Untreated postpartum depression is expensive.

Not only is postpartum depression (PPD) debilitating to women—it’s expensive for employers. At best, untreated PPD can cost an employer around $6,223 in lost productivity. Worse, if new moms suffering from depression and anxiety can’t return to work at all, the average cost to replace these employees is typically 150% of their salaries. For a person making $50,000 per year, that translates to $75,000 in unexpected costs.

Amma can help.

The good news is that educating new parents before and after childbirth is proven to reduce stress. And providing new-parent support groups can decrease depression in new moms, especially for those who feel isolated after childbirth—a common condition for those with young babies that’s been made even worse by pandemic social distancing.

Do you want to help new parents in your workforce reduce depression and stay productive? Schedule a chat with us today to see how easy it is to add parenting support to your benefits package.

The post How can companies support new parents with the increase in depression & anxiety? appeared first on Amma Parenting Center | Pregnancy & Early Infancy Education | 952-926-BABY.