Health calendar 3/4/08

Today

Preparation for Childbirth Class: 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center. Comprehensive guide to expected bodily changes, labor signs and stages, pain control techniques and basic infant care. Tips on relaxing, positioning and breathing will also be discussed. Refreshments will be provided. Bring the "Pregnancy, Childbirth and Parenting Kit" provided by your physician's office. Free. Call 877-231-BABY to register.

Angels of God Prayer Group: 6 p.m. in the Pastoral Care Conference Room. Prayer group for parents who've lost a child of any age, especially parents who lost a baby from the time of conception through early infancy. Give and receive emotional support and resolve grief, to provide an atmosphere where grieving parents with similar experiences can come together. Free. Call 331-5146 with any questions. Call 331-5118 and leave a message for Father Augustine to expect you.

"Neck Pain: When Is Surgery the Right Choice?": 6:30 p.m. in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Discussion of the causes of neck pain and nonsurgical treatment options as well as the latest, minimally-invasive surgical solutions. Free. Seating is limited. To register, call 651-5825 or visit www.southeastmissourihospital.com.

Breastfeeding Class: 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Generations Center. Covers topics such as the benefits and techniques of breastfeeding, family involvement and support. Free. Call 651-5825 to register.

Bosom Buddies: 6:30 p.m. at HealthPoint Plaza. Open to all women who have or have had breast cancer.

Wednesday

Our New Baby Class: 6 to 7 p.m. at the Generations Center. For children, 2 to 4, and their parents. Helps families adjust to having a new baby. Youngsters learn about holding, feeding and diapering the baby using dolls for 'hands-on' experience. Free. Call 651-5825 to register.

Flu Shot Clinic: 7 to 10 a.m. at Fitness Plus. There is a fee. Medicare and insurance not accepted. No appointment necessary. Call 331-5316 for more information.

Thursday

Stroke and Osteoporosis Screening: 9 a.m. at the Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Complete screening package to help identify potential health problems. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes. Registrationis required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-697-9721.

Friday

Heart to Heart Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Osage Community Centre. Keynote presentation by Jennifer Read Hawthorne, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series, about cardiovascular health information. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Fitness Plus or call 331-5218.

Monday

Infant Care Class: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center. Caregiver's manual for parents, grandparents and other care providers. Covers topics such as feeding, daily care, infant sleeping patterns and other health and safety information. Free. Call 877-231-BABY to register.

Tuesday

Diabetes Self-Management Support Group: 1 to 2 p.m. at Southeast's Diabetes Center. Learn more about a tool for helping you identify your "Family Tree of Health." Free. To register or for more information, call the Diabetes Center at 339-0121.

Refresher Childbirth Class: 6 to 8 p.m. in meeting room 102 at Southeast Missouri Hospital. One-session review of labor, delivery, interventions and sibling rivalry issues. Free. To register, call 651-5825.

Mended Hearts Club: 6 p.m. in the Harrison Room. The group's 12th annual Appreciation Banquet features a program on "Chest Pain: The Differences between Men and Women." For more information, call Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services at 331-7950.

Share Support Group: 7 p.m. in meeting room 108 at Southeast Missouri Hospital. For parents, grandparents and other family members who have lost children due to miscarriage, still birth, neonatal death and ectopic pregnancy.

Grief Support Group: 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, includes a separate group for grieving parents. For more information, call Pastoral Care at 651-5519 or Social Services at 651-5549.

Sibling Class: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center. Include your other children in the birthing process while preparing them to become better siblings. They will learn the proper way to hold infants, toy safety and explore emotional issues of a growing family. Free. Call 877-231-BABY to register.

BLOOD CAL

Today

Southeast Missouri State University Center, Cape Girardeau, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday

Southeast Missouri State University Center, Cape Girardeau, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday

St. Ambrose Catholic Parish Center, 418 S 3rd St, Chaffee, 8 a.m. to noon

Monday

Oak Ridge High School, 4198 State Hwy E, Oak Ridge, 2 to 6 p.m.