Cancer Programs

The following programs are offered free of charge to cancer patients and their caregivers.

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Childbirth Classes

Southcoast offers a variety of childbirth classes to suit every new family’s needs. Pre-registration is required for all classes. Please call during the 16th week (10 to 12 weeks for multiples) of pregnancy to assure placement in the class you need. Not all classes are offered at all locations. Many health insurance companies reimburse the cost of classes. Be sure to contact yours to ask about coverage.

Call 508-973-7308 or email familyeducation@southcoast.org for information on classes offered at each location. Please include your due date and at which hospital you will be delivering.

Birthing Boot Camp

A brief overview of the content covered in our Prepared Childbirth series in a condensed, all-day class. Infant care, car seat safety and a tour of the Family Centered Unit are included. Register at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

$125/mother and companion

• Charlton Memorial Hospital
• St. Luke’s Hospital

Call Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-7308 for details.

Childbirth Classes for Young Parents

This class is designed for teen parents ages 13–16. Class content includes the stages of labor, relaxation techniques, labor positions and medication choices. A hospital tour, infant care and car-seat safety are included. Scheduled to meet due date needs.
$50/mother and companion, if affordable.

Call Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-5445 for details.

Childbirth Education

Topics include what to expect as your due date approaches, preparing for labor and birth, relaxation techniques, pain management, the role of the support person and a tour.
$125/mother and companion.

Call Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-7308 for details.

Education Programs

Infant and Child CPR for Families and Friends
Pediatric CPR course covering techniques for newborns to 8-year olds. Pre-registration is required. Call for dates and times.
$40/person, $60/two people.

Center for Women’s Health
Call Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-5445 for details.

Safe Sitter

A nationally recognized program designed to prepare adolescents ages 11 to 14 to babysit.

Pre-Op Teddy Bear Tours

Help your child prepare for surgery with a behind-the-scenes tour of the surgery center. Held monthly. Call for dates and times.

St. Luke’s Hospital

Call Child Life Services at 508-973-5637.

Exercise & Fitness

Cardiac Rehabilitation

An ongoing, structured exercise and education outpatient program for individuals recovering from heart attack, heart surgery, heart disease or who are high risk.
Covered by most insurances

Durfee Union Complex, Fall River
St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford
Tobey Hospital, Wareham
Call Stephanie Campbell at 508-973-5435 for details.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Structured exercise and education program with oxygen saturation monitoring during exercise. For individuals with pulmonary diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD.

• Covered by most insurances
• Meets year-round
• Physician referral required

Narragansett Mills, Fall River
St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford
Tobey Hospital, Wareham
Call Stephanie Campbell at 508-973-5435 for details.

New Parent/New Baby

Baby Cafe

A friendly and comfortable drop-in session for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers to learn more about breast-feeding. Peer support and one-on-one help from specially trained health professionals is available, including professional lactation support.

Center for Women’s Health
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Call Patricia VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-5445 for details.

Healthfirst Family Care Center, Fall River
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Call Patricia VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-5445 for details.

Southcoast Obstetrics & Gynecology,

Baby Café
Thursdays, 4 to 5 pm
Call Dr. Uma Hari at 508-973-2208 for details.

Breast-Feeding Basics

For families that are planning to breastfeed or exploring infant feeding options. Topics include the benefits of breast-feeding, techniques and positions, and the important benefits of contact with your baby. Expectant mothers and theirs partners are encouraged to attend before the birth of the baby. Please register at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Call Patty VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-7308 or email familyeducation@southcoast.org for details.

Breast-feeding Support Group

A place to come for physical, mental and emotional support for breastfeeding and new mothers. The group will be facilitated by a nurse who is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. No registration required. Drop-ins welcome.

Southcoast Health Center for Women’s Health
Tuesdays 10:30am – 12:30pm
Please call Patricia VanDenBerghe, RN, at 508-973-7308 for details.

Support Groups

General Loss Grief Support Group

People express grief in different ways and according to their own unique time schedules, but no matter how you do it, grieving is an important part of the healing process after experiencing the death of someone who was a major part of your life.

Fairhaven Council on Aging

Third Tuesday of the month, 5–6:30pm

Call 508-973-3227 to register.

Interfaith Remembrance Service

Virtual

Thursday, November 5, 2019

7 pm

A non-denominational service for family and friends of loved ones who have died.

Grieving During the Holidays Workshops

The end-of-the-year holidays can be some of the hardest days to go through during the early years after the death of a loved one.  Balancing this already demanding time with the sadness we feel because of not being able to share this holiday time with our loved one, can feel overwhelming.

“Grieving During the Holidays” is a 1-hour workshop designed to assist those who are grieving the death of a loved one during the holiday season.  This workshop includes tips

Charlton Ostomy Support Group

For people with ostomies, their family members and friends. Meetings usually include an educational topic and time for questions, discussion, and sharing among group members in a confidential, non-threatening environment.

Charlton Memorial Hospital, Multipurpose Room across from the cafeteria. Every 2nd Thursday of the month at 3pm. Call Sheri Furtado at 508-679-3131 (Ext. 27509) for details.

St. Luke’s Hospital, Bright Spot Conference Room across from the cafeteria. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month (Except for August) at 2pm (Except the month of July and December, meet from 1-3pm). Call Lisa Cyr at 508-973-5550 for details.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss: Parents Enduring Grief

Our mission is to provide parents who have experienced the loss of a baby with a safe haven where they can come to journey through their grief, mourn their loss without judgment, and honor and celebrate the life of their baby, all while being supported by other parents who have experienced similar circumstances of loss.

St. Luke’s Hospital, Library Conference Room

Third Wednesday of the month, 6:30–8pm

Call Kelly Aguiar, MSW, LCSW, at 508-973-5874 for details.

Turning Sadness Around

A children’s bereavement workshop for ages 9–12. Registration is required.

Southcoast VNA, Fairhaven

Dates to be announced, 10–11:30am

Call 508-973-3227 to register.

Widow & Widower Grief Support Group

Somerset Library, Shipyard Room

Second Tuesday of the month, 3:30–5pm

Mattapoisett Council on Aging

First Thursday of the month, 9:30–11am

Fairhaven Council on Aging

First Tuesday of the month, 5–6:30pm

Weight Loss Programs

Optifast Information Sessions
Learn about the Optifast weight-loss program, which combines lifestyle education, meal replacements, medical management and individual and group counseling. Cost varies depending on program type (full or partial) and amount of Optimist products ordered. Weight Management information sessions and weekly meetings will be held in Fall River, North Dartmouth and Wareham. Please call for upcoming sessions.

Call  508-525-3114 for details.

Three C’s for Success
Losing weight and keeping it off involves Commitment, Challenge and Change. This 12-week program teaches healthy food choices, behavior change and appetite awareness. Participants will meet individually with a Registered Dietitian prior to starting the program to discuss their individualized, calorie-controlled meal plan to be followed for the duration of the program. Information sessions take place in Fall River, North Dartmouth and Wareham. Enrollment is ongoing so participants can join at any time.

Call 508-525-3114 for details.

Weight Loss Surgery Information Sessions

Our comprehensive weight loss surgery program consists of a team of experienced healthcare professionals that are focused on your success. From a full spectrum of pre-op consultations to post-op support groups for life, we are here to support your goal of long-term weight loss. We are an MBSAQIP comprehensive accredited center and have a demonstrated track record of consistent, positive outcomes in bariatric surgery. Surgeries are performed at Tobey and Charlton Memorial hospitals. Learn about the option of weight loss surgery and have all your questions answered. Sessions take place monthly in Fall River, New Bedford, Hyannis and Wareham. An online seminar is available at southcoast.org/weightloss.

Call 508-973-8610 or 508-273-4900 for details.