Filter by Category
Prenatal Care & Childbirth
Expecting Multiples (2026)
with Certified Educator, MMC Childbirth Education
The registration fee includes costs for the registrant and one support person. To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class. A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.
If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.
Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.
Couples expecting more than one baby will receive information specific to multiple pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Early participation in this class is advised (before 30 weeks gestation). If this is your first pregnancy, participation in one of our childbirth education classes is also strongly encouraged.
We recommend attending this class between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
We are offering this class online. After you are registered, shortly before the class starts you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. Thank you for understanding.
MidCoast Mamas
with Erin Kirkpatrick, Mid Coast Maternity
Please join our postpartum support group to find the village you deserve! You will get to meet other new moms and find out that many of the struggles you may be experiencing are common and you are not alone. You will also get good ideas for coping. We vent, we celebrate, we cry, we encourage, we drink coffee and eat snacks! You can weigh your baby here and ask any questions at all to another mother or a nurse.
The group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am at MidCoast Hospital. Sometimes we meet in Conference Room 1, right next to the cafeteria. If that room is not available, our back up location is the waiting room outside the Maternity unit. The group is led by our breast/bottle feeding specialists. Mothers with children 0-6 months are welcome.
Tour of the Family Birth Center (2026)
PLEASE NOTE THIS $10 FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE:
*The $10 fee is for 2 people to attend the tour. To avoid duplicate charges register one person only.
*Please only register for 1 tour to ensure that there is room for everyone who would like to attend a tour. Do not register for multiple tours, thank you!
* There is always a chance that all of the rooms are full and we are unable to view one
After you are registered you will receive details of where to meet, etc. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!
*Please note for our Winter tours: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the tour will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email! We will do our best to reschedule you tour. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please reschedule a tour with us!
Preparing for Labor & Birth
with Erin Kirkpatrick, Mid Coast Maternity
Join us for an in-depth discussion of what to expect when the time comes to give birth to your baby!
Part 1 is in-person at MidCoast Hospital. During this 3.5 hour session, you will learn about the three phases of labor, how to cope, and how to be a supportive partner. We will discuss many coping strategies, as well as practice laboring positions and hands-on support techniques. This session also includes a tour of the maternity unit and birthing rooms. Session 1 is from 9:30am-1:00pm.
Part 2 is held the next day via zoom. During this 3 hour session, you will learn about the various pain medication options that are available, what is involved in inductions and c-sections, what to expect with your newborn and your hospital stay, as well as how to be more prepared for the postpartum period. Session 2 with be 3:00pm-6:00pm.
Partners/support people are encouraged to attend but do not need to register online. We recommend taking this course between 30-35 weeks if possible. Our hope is that you will leave this educational weekend feeling like you have the knowledge you need to make informed decisions, and the confidence to navigate the transition from pregnancy to parenthood. We look forward to working with you!
You will receive an email from the instructor 1 week prior to the scheduled class with the zoom link for part 2. Please check your spam/junk folder for emails from erin@lighthouselactationmaine.com.
Breastfeeding Basics In Person (2026)
with Certified Educator, MMC Childbirth Education
We are offering this class in person at Maine Medical Center, Portland. You will receive directions to parking and the classroom once you have registered.
To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class. The registration fee includes costs for the registrant and one support person. A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.
If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.
Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.
This class covers the benefits of breastfeeding, different breastfeeding techniques and positions, how to make enough milk, and local community and professional resources. Attending this class before your baby’s birth will help you meet your breastfeeding goals.
We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.
*Please note for our Winter classes: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the class will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email and/or voicemail! We will do our best to reschedule or transfer you into another class. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please contact us to reschedule!
Understanding Birth
with Candace Crocker, BSN, RN, LincolnHealth Childbirth Education
Birth is a normal, natural, process. Just like each person is unique, each pregnancy, labor and birth are unique. At Lincoln Hospital Family Birth Center, we believe the best approach is supporting the birthing person as they navigate this natural, beautiful process. We support your decisions and value client input as a vital part of the birthing experience and labor process.
As your family prepares for labor, delivery, and the arrival of this precious new baby, we are here to help make this exciting new journey the best experience it can be for all. Our childbirth education classes cover pregnancy, labor and delivery, and newborn care. We use videos, stories, photos and animations, activities and games as well as demonstrations to teach all the essential information parents need to prepare for the birth of their baby.
It is recommended that expecting clients finish this series around 3-6 weeks before their due date. This class is for patients and their support person(s) and is now a two part series with an optional breastfeeding course (separate sign up) offered at varied times over the course of the year.
For more information about our class offerings, please call the LH Family Birth Center at 207.563.4536 to speak to one of our nurses.
Will run
Bring Your Own Car Seat (2026)
with Jami Gilbert, MMC Childbirth Education
We are offering this class online. After you are registered, shortly before the class starts you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. Thank you for understanding.
Proper car seat use saves lives! Many parents are shocked to find out that car seats are usually used incorrectly.
This class will teach you how to install and use your car seat correctly.
After this course, parents will be confident and prepared to use infant car seats.
We will talk about safety in and around cars and the do’s and don’ts for infant safety in regards to the car seat.
You will also learn when to transition your child to another seat and how to keep your child safe as he or she grows.
Registrants are asked to bring their car seats with to the class, including the car seat base for hands-on practice.
We recommend attending this class anytime before the 37th week of pregnancy.
This class will be held virtually. You will receive an email with the link to join the class the day before class is held. If you have any questions please contact Jami Gilbert at Jami.Gilbert@mainehealth.org or (207) 662 1572.
Childbirth Education One-Day Express In Person (2026)
with Certified Educator, MMC Childbirth Education
We are offering this class in person at Maine Medical Center, Portland. You will receive directions to parking and the classroom once you have registered.
To avoid duplicate charges, please register only ONE participant per class. The registration fee includes costs for the registrant and one support person. A receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement purposes. Reimbursement is subject to individual insurance plans, refer to your plan for additional information.
If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org .
Rescheduling or canceling your class registration can be done by contacting childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. Refunds for class cancelations include a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given after class begins.
The One-Day Express Course covers all of the same information as the Childbirth Education weekly evening series in one full day.
Recommended for all first-time pregnant people and their birth partners, this class is designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.
- Introduction to Labor & Delivery You can expect to learn the stages and phases of labor, what to expect physically and emotionally, the importance of labor support, and more. You will also see birth videos.
- Practical Skills and Comfort Measures You will learn comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Even mothers planning to use medication for pain relief will utilize skills to manage labor prior to and in conjunction with the use of medication.
- Medications and Interventions Be an active participant in the decisions that affect you and your baby. Learn about induction of labor, unplanned cesareans, vacuum, fetal monitoring and more. Whether you are planning on using pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, you will take home the information you need to make informed decisions about pain relief.
We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy.
*Please note for our Winter classes: If the weather forecasts unsafe driving conditions, the class will be cancelled. Be sure to check your email and/or voicemail! We will do our best to transfer you into another class. If where you are coming from has bad weather, please contact us to reschedule!
Will run