Maternity Education

Preparing and caring for a new baby is both daunting and exciting. MaineGeneral offers comprehensive education classes and programs for the whole family to help you make a smooth and happy transition.

Our classes are taught by certified childbirth and parenting educators, MaineGeneral Maternity & Pediatrics nurses, board-certified lactation consultants and certified fitness instructors. They include:

  • Prepared Childbirth Series (Lamaze): two-class program includes:
    • Information on labor and birth
    • Hospital procedures
    • Medication options and anesthesia
    • Partner’s role
    • Cesarean birth
    • Postpartum recovery

The cost for this class is $49 per couple.

  • Weekend (Saturday) Prepared Childbirth Class (one class): offers all of the information from the Prepared Childbirth Series plus Breathing and Relaxation Techniques for Childbirth.
The cost for this class is $49 per couple.
  • Baby Care Class (one 2-hour class) includes:
    • Hands-on practice in newborn bathing and diapering
    • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention
    • Safe sleep and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations
    • Handling common illnesses
    • Infant development to six weeks
    • Proper car seat installation and usage; please bring your car seat

This class is free with registration and payment for the Prepared Childbirth Class or $25 per couple if registered for separately.

  • Breastfeeding Basics (one 2-hour class): offers expectant parents information about the advantages of breastfeeding and how to get started. Other topics include:
    • Milk production
    • Physical and emotional responses to breastfeeding
    • Nutrition
    • Breast pumps
    • Expressing and storing milk
    • Tips for lactating working mothers

The cost is $5 per couple to cover supplies.

  • Sibling Class (one 1-hour class): lets children ages 2 to 9 become familiar with the Alfond Center for Health's Maternity & Pediatrics Unit and learn what it will be like to have a new baby in the home.

A film and diapering practice are included.

There is a $5 fee to cover the cost of educational materials.

Visit our events calendar to learn more about and register for any of our maternity education classes.

You may also register for an upcoming class by calling 1-855-4MGHINFO (1-855-464-4463).