We know that every woman has different expectations about the birth of her child. The Childbirth and Family Education Department at HealthAlliance Hospital offers a wide selection of classes so patients can make the best choices for their family.
Classes meet at HealthAlliance Hospital - Leominster Campus (unless otherwise noted) during the week and on weekends. Husbands, partners and coaches are welcome to attend. Classes fill early! Parents are encouraged to register for Prepared Childbirth classes by their fourth month of pregnancy.
Many private insurance companies will reimburse some or all of the cost of childbirth education classes. Upon completion of classes, participants should obtain a receipt from their childbirth educator and send it to their insurance company for reimbursement. Participants with Network Health Together should bring a photo ID and Network Health card to the Birthing Center. HealthAlliance Hospital will process the registration and obtain the fees from Network Health Together.
Tour of the Birthing Center
Tours of the Birthing Center are offered regularly. Please call the Childbirth and Family Education Department at 978-466-2354 to schedule a tour.
Prepared Childbirth
$100
We offer five, two-hour evening classes or one, eight-hour Saturday class. These classes help women and their partner better understand pregnancy and the birth process. Topics include:
- Comfort measures and coping strategies
- Informed decisions
- Labor, delivery and postpartum period
- Medication/anesthesia
- Relaxation and breathing techniques with practice sessions
- Role of support person
- Cesarean births
Prepared Childbirth - Refresher Series
$35
This one-time, three-hour class is designed for returning parents. The class explores labor and delivery, relaxation and breathing techniques, and family/sibling adjustment.
Breastfeeding (Prenatal)
$15
This one-evening, two-hour class covers the basics of breastfeeding, its benefits, how to overcome the obstacles and how a breastfed baby grows. Ask about our breast feeding center, The Nursing Mom, a special resource that offers everything you need from nursing bras to nursing pumps.
Prepared Parenting
$15
In this one-evening, two-hour class, the focus is on caring for a new baby and the parents' role. It also helps prepare new families for discharge from the hospital and the transition to their home.
Safe Baby 101
$15
This one-time, two-hour class covers sudden infant death syndrome, shaken baby prevention, baby proofing the home, choking prevention and response, choosing a daycare, how to recognize illness, introducing pets and infants, important emergency telephone numbers and car seat safety. This class is appropriate before or after the birth of a baby.
Sibling Class
$15 per child; $20 per family (maximum)
This one-hour class helps to prepare prospective big brothers and sisters for the birth of a sibling. The class includes a tour, activities and handouts. The sibling-to-be must be at least three years of age and be accompanied by an adult.
Prepared Childbirth Package Deal
$125
Prepared Childbirth
Breastfeeding (prenatal)
Prepared Parenting
Safe Baby 101
Welcome to Motherhood
This weekly postpartum support group offers new moms the opportunity to find new friends, receive peer support, and get current information on infant development and nutrition. Topics include: returning to work, choosing childcare, breastfeeding support, relationship issues, baby products, basic parenting skills and having fun with your baby. Light refreshments served.
For more information, call 978-466-2354 ext. 2.
From 10:30 am - 12:00 pm every Wednesday
Bring your baby to this free class!
4th Floor Childbirth Education/Diabetic Classroom