L’Mazeltov: The Jewish Childbirth Education Program (the curriculum and classes) is based on the content of the L’Mazeltov book.

Traditional Childbirth Education

  • The importance of prenatal fitness and prenatal nutrition
  • Common discomforts of Pregnancy
  • What Happens at your Prenatal Doctor visits?
  • Review the progress and overview of breathing techniques, labor, relaxation techniques
  • Discuss each stage and phase of labor in detail
  • Discuss methods of psychological anesthesia, including conditioning, concentration and discipline
  • Discuss the signs of labor
  • What to expect in labor and delivery
  • Explain Back Labor and Hyperventilation
  • Discuss toxemia of pregnancy
  • Discuss types of anesthesia during labor and delivery including Epidurals
  • What are ultrasounds, fetal monitors, and amniocentesis?
  • All about Cesarean Sections- the alternate mode of delivery
  • The Post Partum stage- birth to 6 weeks after
  • Discuss the appearance of the newborn
  • All about breastfeeding and bottle-feeding
  • Discuss sexual relations during pregnancy

Jewish Life Cycle Education

  • Discuss references to birth in the Bible, Talmud and Jewish literature
  • Explain the sacred covenant between G-D and Abraham
  • Define Brit Milah or Bris
  • Explain circumcision and types of circumcision ceremonies
  • Simchat Bat or Brit Chayim - baby naming ceremony for a girl
  • Pidyon haben - Redemption of the first-born
  • Stress the values of Torah, Chuppah, Mitzvot and Tzedakkah
  • Explain the Hebrew name formula
  • Traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardic customs with baby naming
  • Discuss Jewish folk customs surrounding birth and the newborn
  • Parental obligations according to the Talmud
  • Become acquainted with the Halachic status of the Adopted child
  • Discuss Jewish genetic diseases- Tay Sachs
  • Discuss the Mikvah, the beauty of Shabbat, the blessing of children
  • The beauty of all the Jewish holidays
  • Portray the significance of the Shehecheyanu prayer, Shema, Kiddush, HaMotze, lighting of Shabbat candles, Birkot Hamazon and MORE