Childbirth Education Classes cover pregnancy, labor and delivery, newborn care and breastfeeding.  Our classes 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. Class sizes are limited to provide individualized attention. 

It is recommended that expecting mothers finish this series around 3-6 weeks before their due date. This class is for Women's Center patients and their support person(s).  It is a two-class series so please plan to attend both classes for optimal learning. 

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual 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. 

We are offering this class online. After you are registered, a few days before the class starts you will receive an email with the link to participate in the class. 

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.

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual 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.

This class meets online. If you are registered for this class, you will recieve an email about 2 days before the class starts with a link to join. 

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.

Being prepared for childbirth can ease your mind and make your birth experience what you hope it will be. This class will give you the information, resources and skills to prepare you for the birth of your baby.

This class will cover:

• Preparation during last month of pregnancy
• Early labor at home
• What to expect coming to the hospital from admission to discharge
• Stages of labor
• Pain management options
• Optional tour of the Birthing Suite

Expecting mother/couple should be in their last trimester. Class fee is per couple. When checking out, please don't add your support person as an additional attendee, only enter their name when asked.

Come together to share the story of your parenting journey and receive support and inspiration from other new parents.

Discussion topics include sleep, feeding, nurturing yourself, and relationship changes. This group is flexible to address your own needs and concerns. This group is facilitated by a childbirth educator who is also a trained doula and breastfeeding counselor.

This group meets in person (with a hybrid Zoom option, too) at the MaineHealth Medical Building, 5 Bucknam Rd, Falmouth. (Ground floor, lots of parking!)

This group meets every Thursday morning from 10am - 12pm. Please register here. When you register you will receive the zoom link to log in.

The group is free but registration is required. Join anytime throughout the year. New members are always welcome!

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual 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. 

This newborn sleep shaping class is for pregnant persons at any gestation and new parents with babies up to 12 weeks. During this class parents will learn how to set the foundations in the newborn period for healthy infant sleep. Topics discussed will include what to expect in the fourth trimester, newborn soothing strategies, the science behind sleep, developmental milestones, how to create a sleep conducive environment, how to encourage independent sleep, how and when to stop swaddling and realistic expectations regarding night wakings and feedings.  We will also discuss planning for going back to work and transitioning to daycare.

Non-birthing partners are encouraged to attend.

This class is currently offered virtually via Zoom.  After you are regisitered, you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in class.

You will also receive FREE ACCESS to a recorded version of Infant Sleep 101: Surviving the 4-Month Sleep Regression & Beyond.

If you have any questions please contact Jenna Marion directly at jenna.marion@mainehealth.org.

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual 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. 

We are offering this class in person.

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.

Classes are held at the Dana Center Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland. All class participants should enter through the main entrance and be issued a Visitors badge.  You will be directed to the Charles Dana Education Center where the class instructor will be downstairs to meet you. 

Parking: Parking is available in the visitors Parking Garage on Congress Street.  Parking near the hospital is limited and parking for more than 1 hour may result in a fine.

This free peer support group is a great opportunity to meet other new breastfeeding parents in your community, share experiences, and receive postpartum and newborn care information and support. A lactation consultant facilitates the group and can answer your questions.

Please register here to receive log-in or call-in information for this weekly group which meets on Tuesdays 9:30am - 11:30am.

This group meets in person (with a hybrid Zoom option, too) at the MaineHealth Medical Building, 5 Bucknam Rd, Falmouth. (Ground floor, lots of parking!)

FREE but registration is required to receive Zoom info. Join anytime throughout the year. New members are always welcome!