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MaineHealth



Women's Health

Baby Basics In Person (2026)

$40

with Certified Educator, Family Birth Center MH MMC Portland

Calendar Jun 6, 2026 at 9:30 am
3 additional sessions through Sep 26, 2026

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.

Expectant first time parents can learn about common newborn needs and behaviors and how to prepare for bringing baby home. This class includes information about how to care for and comfort a newborn, feeding, safe sleep and other ways to keep your baby safe, and tips on how to make this newborn period an easier transition for you.

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!

 

Will run

Childbirth Education One-Day Express In Person (2026)

$150

with Certified Educator, Family Birth Center MH MMC Portland

Calendar Jun 7, 2026 at 9 am
7 additional sessions through Sep 26, 2026

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.
  • Note: This class does not include a tour of the Family Birth Center. Please sign up for a tour seperately.

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

Transition to Parenthood Peer Group Rockport
Online Registration Unavailable

Transition to Parenthood Peer Group Rockport

Free

with MH Pen Bay and Waldo Hospital Events

Calendar Jun 8, 2026 at 11 am
6 additional sessions through Dec 14, 2026

Join us for a free, nurse-led group for parents and parents-to-be. We offer a welcoming place for new and pregnant parents to talk, listen and get support from others during the transition to parenthood. Babies welcome! Snacks and beverages will be provided. Drop-ins are welcome. Please call 301-8343 for more information.

This group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Childbirth Education 3-week Series Online (2026)

$150

with Certified Educator, Family Birth Center MH MMC Portland

Calendar Jun 15, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 3 weeks
2 additional sessions through Sep 7, 2026

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.

These comprehensive classes are designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.  Recommended for all first-time pregnant parents and their birth partners.

  • Class#1: Introduction to Labor & Delivery
    • This class covers 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. 
  • Class#2:Practical Skills and Comfort Measures
    • This class will cover comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Whether you are planning to use pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, this class will provide you with the information needed to make informed decisions regarding pain relief. 
  • Class#3: 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.  This class series also includes opportunities for Q&A.

We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy.

We are offering this class online. After you are registered you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. 

Understanding Birth

Free

with Candace Crocker, BSN, RN, Family Birth Center MH Lincoln Hospital

Calendar Jun 17, 2026 at 4 pm

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

Preparing for Labor & Birth
Registration Unavailable

Preparing for Labor & Birth

Free

with Erin Kirkpatrick, Mid Coast Hospital Family Birth Center

Calendar Jun 20, 2026

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 - Virtual
Online Registration Unavailable

Breastfeeding Basics - Virtual

Free

with Lynn Tauss, MH Pen Bay and Waldo Hospital Events

Calendar Jul 1, 2026 at 6 pm
2 additional sessions through Nov 4, 2026

This single two-hour class provides a pre-birth opportunity to ask questions and learn about breastfeeding and returning to work. 

Pre-registration is required in order to obtain access to virtual access. Please call (207)301-8337 to register.

Expecting Multiples (2026)

$30

with Certified Educator, Family Birth Center MH MMC Portland

Calendar Jul 7, 2026 at 6 pm

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.





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