The course includes five sessions and provides valuable information for soon-to-be parents about pregnancy and the lively process of giving birth, as well as on the proper recovery process over the six weeks that follow.
Specifically, the course provides tips and information about breastfeeding, dealing with pain during and after birth, natural birth, Caesarean section and gentle C-section. The course also provides participants the chance to visit a delivery room and the hospital's maternity ward and speak to its staff, helping the process feel less foreign and intimidating.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, the course runs with no more than four couples in each cycle. People may also choose to participate from home, through the ZOOM video app. Additional groups are expected to open in the following days.
Sakas-Manasah has been a nurse-midwife at the Galilee Medical Center for 11 years. With over a decade of experience, she has a lot to share, especially with soon-to-be parents from the Arab sector.
"In Arab society, people don't really talk about connecting to one's body during birth or issues relating to the right way to prepare for birth. It's considered taboo and may cause embarrassment," she explains.
"We often hear preconceptions from new parents about issues of birth and breastfeeding, like the fear of a vaginal examination and the administration of epidural," she adds, a shot given in the spine to alleviate pain during birth.
In a message to pregnant couples, Sakas-Manasah reminds readers that "knowledge is power, and when that knowledge comes from professionals, it helps overcome fears and boosts confidence in the new mother and her partner," she said, adding that "the course is a unifying experience for couples."
The Woman's Health Ward at the Galilee Medical Center includes 12 state-of-the-art delivery rooms that guarantee maximum comfort and privacy. Outpatient rooms are equipped with a personal bathroom and shower and are attended by two midwives.
The Galilee Medical Center is the largest hospital in the Galilee region. The Lower Galilee is home to Nazareth, Israel's largest Arab city with a population of about 74,000.