NMSU offers free Lamaze classes, sets up private nursing rooms for mothers

Along with providing private spaces for mothers nursing babies, the Las Cruces campus of New Mexico State University will also be offering free Lamaze classes.

“Lamaze classes provide the avenue for moms and their support persons to advocate for their individual needs as they labor and have their baby,” said Martha Morales, NMSU assistant professor. “One of the philosophies of Lamaze is to allow labor to start on its own and to provide the laboring women a support person(s) who will be there for her and guide her through the techniques, which facilitate the process of birthing.”

The classes will be for free to pregnant women in their sixth to eighth month of pregnancy. The six-week course will start in mid-May in the College of Health and Social Services building. Pregnant women must be 24 to 32 weeks pregnant by the first class. The course will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday from May 18 to June 29.

NMSU nursing faculty and students are teaching the educational classes to women. To register, call Martha Morales at 575-646-8089 or email at moralest@nmsu.edu during the 16th to 24th week of pregnancy as classes fill quickly.

A support person is welcome to attend with the mothers.

The campus will also begin providing four nursing parent rooms.

“By providing nursing parent spaces, NMSU aligns work/life philosophy to support students, staff and faculty as they pursue the integration of classes, work and family/personal life,” said Gerard Nevarez, executive director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX coordinator. “Additionally, the nursing spaces will ensure privacy of the user.”

One of four nursing parent rooms is on the east side of the first floor of Zuhl Library. All users will need to check out the room key at the Zuhl Service Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The Zuhl room is open everyday of the week during normal library hours. Electrical outlets, a sink and other amenities have been provided to support nursing parents.

Another nursing parent space is in Room B100 in Regents Row. Users should contact the NMSU Campus Health Center at 575-646-1512 to reserve the nursing parent space. Walk-ins are also welcome. A student or staff/faculty ID will be required to receive the access code. The access code is only for the nursing parent’s use and sharing of the code is not permitted.

During the academic year, the space will be available 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Summer hours will be 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. During the summer, the center closes for lunch. The space will not be available on weekends. The space has electrical outlets and a sink.

A third nursing parent space is in Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 220. Users may call 575-646-1806 to inquire about space availability. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability. The space is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It will not be available on weekends or holidays. A sink is available in the restroom in the adjoining hallway.

The fourth nursing parent space is in the Business Complex, Room 249. Users may contact call 575-646-5431 for reservations. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability.

The space is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A sink is available in the restroom in the adjoining hallway.

For more information on Lamaze childbirth education classes, visit www.lamaze.org.