Childbirth Classes
The Childbirth Education Program is for all expectant parents, grandparents and support people. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses who work at UMMC. We also offer a virtual tour of our labor and delivery unit and the mother-baby unit.
Below is a list of classes we offer and links to virtual tours. Please contact Amy Brown, RN Childbirth Education Coordinator, at ChildBirthEd@umm.edu for more information or to register.
- Childbirth Education Class
- Cesarean Delivery, What to Expect
- Breastfeeding with Confidence
- Breastfeeding in Special Circumstances
- Postpartum, the Fourth Trimester
- Infant Care with Safety and CPR
- Special Baby, Special Care
- Return to Work Pumping Class
- Grand-Parenting 101
- Virtual Tour of the Obstetric Care and Labor Unit
Childbirth Education Class
Developed for busy expecting parents, this class focuses on evidence-based information that empowers parents to manage the process of labor and birth and make informed choices for their birth experience. This class provides an understanding of the stages of labor and familiarity with medical and hospital procedures. Class includes what to expect in the immediate postpartum period.
Fees: Classes are free if receiving prenatal care at University of Maryland Redwood office, Penn Street office, Midtown office or Family Medicine. For all others, the fee is $45 for two attendees.
Register for a Childbirth Education Class
Breastfeeding with Confidence – Now in Person
Learn how to breastfeed with confidence. Taught by a certified lactation consultant, this course will cover the basics of breastfeeding, including advantages of breastfeeding, initiating breastfeeding, various breastfeeding positions, establishing and identifying a good latch and feeding and pumping guidelines.
Hours: One Thursday a month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Fees: Classes are free if receiving prenatal care at University of Maryland Redwood office, Penn Street office, Midtown office or Family Medicine.
For all others, the fee is $45 for mother and support person.
Register for a Breastfeeding with Confidence Class
Breastfeeding in Special Circumstances
Learn how to breastfeed with confidence in special circumstances. This course will cover breastfeeding in a variety of situations, including babies with a cardiac diagnosis, cleft lip or palate, as well as multiple births and more. A certified lactation consultant will meet and work with you in the prenatal period to develop a plan for pumping and feeding when your baby is delivered. Our lactation team's goal is for our full term nursery, NICU and PICU mothers to have optimal support and encouragement during their baby's hospitalization.
When your baby is ready to go to the breast, our lactation team will assist you in latching and feeding. When you are discharged home, our lactation team will be available by phone, at support groups or see you for clinic visits.
Contact: Please email ChildBirthEd@umm.edu to request this class.
Return to Work Pumping Class
This class is perfect for moms who have delivered and are ready to return to work while continuing their breastfeeding journey. Know your legal rights for pumping breaks at work. Learn how to use your breast pump and techniques to maintain milk supply. We will discuss safe milk handling and storage.
To register for this class please email ChildBirthEd@umm.edu.
Grand-Parenting 101
This single, two-hour class covers the infant care and infant CPR basics that grandparents need to know. This class is one part newborn refresher course and one part education about how that care has changed since you were raising kids.
Fees: $25 per individual or couple
Register for Grand-Parenting 101
Infant Care with CPR and Safety
Taught by registered nurses using evidence-based practice, this class covers basic infant care such as bathing, cord care, diapering, temperature taking and circumcision care. Household baby-proofing and basic infant first aid are discussed along with safe sleep environment and car seat safety. Using the American Heart Association Infant CPR Anytime program, infant and child CPR and choking rescue methods will be taught.
Fees: $40
Register for a Infant Care with CPR and Safety Class
Postpartum, the Fourth Trimester
Learn what to expect when you get home from the hospital. In this class we will review how to care for yourself and what physical changes to expect. We will discuss postpartum complications and what warning signs to look out for.
Fee: $25
Register for Postpartum, the Fourth Trimester Class
Special Baby, Special Care
This class is for when your little one needs to be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Taught by a NICU nurse, we'll introduce participants with what to expect during an NICU stay. The class goes over the layout for the unit, explanation of the baby care team, common medical equipment and additional information that will leave your well informed before your stay.
Fee: $35
Register for a Special Baby, Special Care Class
Cesarean Delivery, What to Expect
We'll go over the details of having a planned cesarean section (C-section) and what happens during an unplanned C-section. Learn about what to expect before, during and immediately after your C-section delivery.
Fee: $35
Register for a Cesarean Delivery, What to Expect Class