Classes & Events
Find ways to get active — or get involved — in your community.
March
This class is recommended during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Topics include progression of labor into birth, birth stories, options for pain relief, comfort measures, positioning and medication alternatives. Baby care topics include normal characteristics of the newborn, caring for baby, infant safety, family adjustments to the new baby, car seat safety, physical development and couplet care.
One support person who will be involved in the labor and delivery is invited to attend class. Support person does not need to register individually for class. A single registration covers mom and support person.
If there is inclement weather, you can call Mayo Clinic Health System's switchboard at 651-267-5000 to see if class is canceled. If a class is canceled for non-weather reasons, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
COVID Safety Requirements
All attendees should not have any symptoms of: New onset cough, fever/chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or Loss of sense of taste or smell. Attendees should not come to class if they have tested positive, or had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
- All attendees must wear a surgical mask upon arrival—these will be provided by the hospital.
- Attendees must maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from non-household/family member attendees.
- Frequent breaks will be scheduled, eating is not permitted in the classes.
This class held on Mondays, is for moms at 24–32 weeks' gestation and their support person. Participants will learn the many benefits of breastfeeding and the essentials of newborn care. Topics include benefits of skin-to-skin contact, feeding cues and positions, long-term breastfeeding goals, dealing with complications and baby care.
Registration is required and class size is limited.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
Class cancellations
If a class is canceled, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email. Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum size requirements. If local schools are cancelled, so are prenatal education offerings. Alternative classes will be offered whenever possible. Call 507-238-8100 for cancellation or postponement information.
This class is for after your baby is born. Parents and baby are welcomed back to the classroom for the new challenges of baby care and parenting.
Educators and lactation consultants will answer parent questions and review topics such as baby care, growth and development, weight gain, lactation and feeding issues, and facing new challenges. Attend as many classes as desired. Family members and siblings age 6 and older are welcome.
Registration is not required.
If there is inclement weather, Mayo Clinic Health System will likely cancel class.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver at so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
This class is offered monthly for moms at 24–32 weeks' gestation and their support person. It's taught by lactation counselors who will help expectant parents learn the basics of breastfeeding. Topics include establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship; frequency and feeding cues; holds, positions and latch-on techniques; choosing a breast pump; pumping and storing breast milk; and maintaining milk supply. Participants should bring the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book they received from their clinic.
Registration is required and class size is limited.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
Class cancellations
If a class is canceled, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email. Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum size requirements. If local schools are cancelled, so are prenatal education offerings. Alternative classes will be offered whenever possible. Call 507-594-4607 for cancellation or postponement information.
This six-week class is open to anyone who has suffered the death of a loved one and is grieving. Class activities can help relieve the physical, mental, social and spiritual symptoms of grief. Class combines the benefits of a grief support group: education, support, connection with others, with yoga practices for self-care: breathing practices, gentle movement and meditation. Participants will utilize the deeper tools of yoga to help create a safe space for grief and connect with their deepest selves in a compassionate way. The emphasis will not be on physical exercise (asana).
Kathy Bang, a retired hospice social worker, will teach the class.
Register at least one week prior to the first class. Registered participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting. Class size is limited.
This group is for new mothers and mothers-to-be interested in breastfeeding. Baby Cafe is a national network of breastfeeding drop-ins, combining breastfeeding information in a relaxed, informal environment where mothers can chat and learn about breastfeeding from skilled practitioners and each other. Registration is not required, this is a drop-in offering.
Class Cancellations
If a class is canceled, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email. Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum size requirements. If local schools are cancelled, so are prenatal education offerings. Alternative classes will be offered whenever possible. Call 507-594-4607 for cancellation or postponement information.
This weekly drop-in group is for families to work through the natural ups and downs of breastfeeding with a lactation consultant and the support of other families. Bring your baby and come as you are to this informal group. Adults will be required to wear a mask, and we will practice social distancing. The group is facilitated by certified lactation consultants. An infant scale is available should you want to weigh your baby.
Park in the south lot, behind the 727 Building. The back entrance door will lead directly to the cafeteria.
If you need one-on-one breastfeeding assistance, set up an appointment through your Patient Online Services account or call us at 715-838-5025.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients in the Northwest Wisconsin Region. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
This in-person support group is a great way to meet local moms, ask questions about lactation and newborn care, and check your baby’s weight. Education topic or speaker will vary each week. Drop in to group as it works for your schedule. Call Lactation at 608-392-9789 with any questions or concerns.
April
Start the Journey to Wellness
Being healthy, or keeping your workforce healthy, can be hard. Wading through all the resources can be overwhelming.
Mayo Clinic Health System has cut through the noise and bundled key materials into free monthly toolkits to keep you, and your employees, family and friends healthy. Each month, we'll focus on a different aspect of healthy living.
During this yearlong program, you use the provided resources and activities, choosing those that are important to you and completing them on your schedule. Those who register will receive access to a new toolkit each month that includes resources, such as blogs, videos, handouts and activities. You'll also have access to explore resources from previous months.
Employers can enroll on behalf of the workplace and send resources directly to their workforce each month. Or they can ask employees to enroll individually if preferred.
Individuals can enroll and guide themselves through the resources each month. Feel free to get family and friends involved.
This weekly, six-session class allows people to adapt the practices to make them comfortable for their bodies. The approach is therapeutic and emphasizes breath-focused movement to support the spine and focusing the mind. The class is appropriate for people of all ages and abilities, including beginners.
Each session will include a check in, movement and breathing practices, and guided relaxation practice.
Participants will learn tools to release tension, increase flexibility and core strength, improve posture and balance, and relax the mind and body.
Michele Hoffman, a Mayo Clinic Health System Integrative Medicine & Health certified yoga therapist, will teach the classes in person and virtual on Zoom.
Register at least one week prior to a session.
This weekly, six-session class includes a gentle movement practice, relaxation techniques and breathing practices to reduce pain, improve sleep, increase energy, restore balance, and improve your attitude and overall quality of life. The class is personalized to meet participant needs. For these yoga poses, participants will sit in a chair and stand using a chair for balance. This class may help people with chronic health conditions, such as pain, diabetes, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis.
Michele Hoffman, a Mayo Clinic Health System Integrative Medicine & Health certified yoga therapist, will teach the class.
Register at least one week prior to a session.
This two-hour class is recommended for families who are considering or have decided to breastfeed. Partners are encouraged to attend. It includes information about benefits of breastfeeding, initiation of breastfeeding, latch and positioning, expressing and storing breast milk, breastfeeding lifestyle, and troubleshooting and resources. View additional class availability on the calendar. A morning Beginning to Breastfeed class also is available.
For questions or to develop an individualized breastfeeding plan, contact a lactation consultant at 608-392-9789.
This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.
Interpreter services are provided for free for patients who do not speak English and are attending an in-person course in La Crosse. Call Mayo Clinic Health System at 608-392-9090 to arrange for an interpreter.
All registered participants will receive a confirmation letter. Patient Online Services users will receive a confirmation letter via the portal.
Class cancellation
If you must cancel your registration, call 608-392-9090 at least three business days prior to your class so those on the waitlist can have your spot. Classes that do not meet the minimum size requirements may be canceled. Classes that reach maximum capacity will be closed. If there are severe weather warnings in the La Crosse and surrounding counties, classes will be canceled. Call 608-392-9723 to confirm class cancellation due to severe weather.