New Parent Resources

Vanderbilt University is committed to supporting faculty, staff, and students when they add children to their families. This page is here to help you locate resources offered through Vanderbilt and in the community that will be useful as preparation for your child's arrival and adjusts to your new life as a parent.

Resources at Vanderbilt for New Parents

Babies & You Health Plus wants to support you in having a healthy pregnancy by offering Babies & You, a prenatal education program to encourage early and consistent prenatal care. The program is offered to Vanderbilt faculty/staff, spouses, or dependent children. Educational sessions on various topics are offered monthly. A $50 incentive is offered to those registering in the first trimester, attending at least 3 of the monthly classes, and providing documentation of prenatal provider visits.
Shade Tree Early Pregnancy program (STEPP) Connects pregnant women from underserved populations with prenatal care, community resources, prenatal education, and social resources. Volunteers at the clinic are Vanderbilt medical employees and students.
Women’s Education and Lactation \| Monroe Jr. Carrell Children’s Hospital Offers classes on a range of topics for expectant parents and adoptive parents. View details and a list of childbirth education classes including: Beginning Breastfeeding New Beginnings Childbirth Class Newborn Care 101
Vanderbilt Midwife Services Certified nurse-midwives provide pregnancy care and delivery, primary care, well-woman care, birth control, and other gynecological services and prenatal care.
Vanderbilt Resuscitation Program An authorized American Heart Association training center providing BLS, ACLS, PALS, PEARS, Heartsaver, and ERO courses to Vanderbilt employees and students.
Vanderbilt Women’s Health Located at One Hundred Oaks and committed to providing care for women at all stages of their lives, from annual examinations to pregnancy and delivery.

Birth Support & Parent Education

American Academy of Pediatrics Information and recommendations about breastfeeding, advocacy materials, and more.
babycenter.com Provides the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information.
Bump.com Provides first-time parents with information on a range of fertility, pregnancy, and parenting issues.
DONA International An international doula association which offers certification programs, workshops, and informational resources.
Drug Watch During pregnancy, women can experience overwhelming empowerment and joy as a new life grows inside their body. They can also experience scores of uncomfortable symptoms, physical changes and moments of fear and anxiety during one of their most vulnerable stages in life. To decrease the chances of complications, women should practice proper prenatal care, avoid dangerous drugs and choose the best method of delivery for them. Thankfully, there is a wealth of information available for women to make the best decisions to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Lamaze International Lamaze teaches parents healthy birth practices for safe childbirth and labor. Locate a Lamaze child birthing classes for healthy pregnancy and delivery.
My 9 Months Developed by March of Dimes experts, this website gives important information for before, during, and after pregnancy.
What to Expect What To Expect offers must-have information, support and community for every step of the parenting journey, from preconception and pregnancy to the baby years and beyond. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by a team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
WomensHealth.gov Healthy Pregnancy The federal government source for information on giving your baby a healthy start.

Planning Your Leave: Vanderbilt Human Resources Links

Below are some resources to assist you as you move through the FMLA application process. If you have questions, you may contact your FMLA Coordinator at 615-343-4125 or email fmlaprocessing@vanderbilt.edu.

How to apply for FMLA/TMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Tennessee Maternity Leave Act (TMLA) provide for leaves of absence for periods of time on account of adoption, pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing of an infant.
Using Short-term Disability to pay part of your salary while on FMLA/TMLA
Human Resources policy on FMLA and TMLA Leave

Human Resources policy on breaks for breastfeeding mothers

This page is provided as a list of resources only. The Child & Family Center and Vanderbilt University do not endorse these references. These resources are not exhaustive but a sample of local resources.

: Provides the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information.