Participants may register for childbirth and family education courses at UMass Memorial Medical Center individually (as listed below) or take advantage of the cost savings offered in our special packages.
During Pregnancy
Great Beginnings
$30/couple: This class is for women and partners during the first or second trimester (four to 27 weeks) of pregnancy. Classes include discussions about fetal development, nutrition, exercise and more.
Prepared Childbirth
$75/couple for five-week session: This five-week series of evening classes helps women and partners better understand pregnancy and the birthing process. Topics explored include stages of labor and delivery, relaxation and breathing techniques, labor coping skills and postpartum issues.
One-day Prepared Childbirth
$150/couple; $170/couple if not birthing at UMass Memorial: This one-day Saturday class offers a condensed view of the topics covered in the Prepared Childbirth course.
Rock-Roll and Relax
$40/couple: This one-evening class is an extension of our Prepared Childbirth class and is recommended for women and partners who want to prepare for a nonmedicated birth and desire additional information and practice time with labor coping strategies including relaxation, visualization and other helpful techniques to help women work with their baby and body for labor and birth. This class may only be taken in addition to a childbirth class.
HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Method
$160/couple; $170/couple if not birthing at UMass Memorial: This class is for those who are hoping for an easier, more comfortable birth experience with little or no intervention. Guided imagery, visualizations and self-hypnotic techniques are only part of what is taught and experienced in this unique class. For more information call 508-334-5474.
Refresher/VBAC Prepared Childbirth
$60/couple: This one-evening class is designed for experienced parents and reviews prepared childbirth techniques including breathing techniques, positions for labor and birth, coping strategies, a brief review of the birthing process and discussions on sibling adjustment.
Marvelous Multiples Childbirth
$90/couple: This specialized childbirth class is designed for those expecting twins, triplets and more. The class covers labor and birth topics, breathing, and relaxation and coping techniques for labor and life.
Cesarean Birth Introduction
Call 508-334-6485 for pricing information. This one-evening program for women and partners discusses what to expect during and after a cesarean delivery.
Make Way for Baby
$30/couple: In this one-evening 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 into their home. This class is great for grandparents, too!
Tot Alert I Infant CPR and Home Safety
$25/person: This one-evening class offers lifesaving safety information for infants from birth to age 1. Every class is taught by a registered nurse who is a certified American Heart Association instructor. Participants must be over age 12 to participate in this program.
Tot Alert II Child CPR and First Aid
$25/person: This one-evening class offers lifesaving safety information for children ages 1 to 8. Every class is taught by a registered nurse who is a certified American Heart Association instructor. Participants must be over age 12 to participate in this program.
Child Safety Seat Class
$30/couple: Four out of five safety seats are installed incorrectly. Parents can attend this informational class to assure the safety of their infant. Topics covered include: the law, frequently asked questions and mistakes; how to install a seat correctly; how to secure a child in a seat properly; what to look for when purchasing a seat and much more.
Prenatal Breast-feeding
Prenatal Breast-feeding for Moms-to-be
$30/couple: Because we strongly believe breast-feeding is best for babies, we designed this one-evening class on the basics of breast-feeding, its benefits, how to overcome occasional obstacles, the partners' role and how a breast-fed baby grows. This class is for moms-to-be and their partner.
Exercise
Mommy and Me Yoga (Postpartum)
$65/six-week session*: Yoga means union. This fun, informal postpartum class is designed for you and your baby, and is a perfect time for the two of you to bond, exercise, relax and meet other new moms and their infants. (Previous yoga experience is not required.)
Prenatal Yoga
$65/six-week session*: In this beginner yoga class (Hatha style) you learn the basics of yoga postures and beyond, alignments and breathing techniques. You also experience the opportunity for relaxation including meditation and visualization techniques, which help with labor, birth and coping with a newborn. (This class is designed for all pregnant women. Previous yoga experience is not necessary to enjoy this class.)
*Register for two or more sessions of yoga at the same time and save $5.
After the Baby's Birth
Adjusting to Parenthood
$60/mom and infant: This four-week class for mothers and their babies focuses on the transition into parenthood. Topics include coping with sleep deprivation, relationships, wellness vs. sickness, safety, feeding issues, game playing and much more. It is a perfect opportunity for mother and baby to make new friends!
Infant Massage
$30/adult and infant: Using simple, easy-to-learn massage strokes, women and partners learn to communicate with their newborn through tender, nurturing touch.
Signing Safari: Small Talk
$30/person; $50/couple: This two-hour parent workshop is taught by a child sign language specialist. Research has proven that once hearing babies and toddlers are taught to sign, their brains actually become more developed. Class participants receive a pictorial dictionary and DVD. This class can be taken anytime!
Postpartum Breast-feeding Support Group
This class meets twice a week to help moms get the support and confidence they need with breast-feeding. Registration is not required.
For Kids
Super Sibling
$20/child**: This one-evening class is designed to help prepare 3- to 9-year-olds for the birth of a sibling. Stories, crafts and a birthday party are all part of this fun evening. The sibling-to-be must be at least three years old and accompanied by an adult to attend this class.
Sibling Birth Preparation
$40/person**: This class is designed for families who intend to have their child present for the labor and birth experience.
**Special pricing for multiple children from the same family in sibling classes is $30 for two, $40 for three and $50 for four.
Baby-sitting
$45/person: This class is designed for children 11 years and older who are interested in becoming responsible babysitters. Topics include infant and toddler care, safety and first aid including CPR, how to handle emergencies, game playing and much more! Participants must attend all classes to receive a certificate. Classes are taught by a registered nurse.
Note: prices are subject to change.