If you would like to familiarize yourself with the Family Birthing Center, please join us for a free tour on the first Sunday of a month at 2:00 pm. The tour begins in the Family Birthing Center waiting room.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
When: One meeting on a Saturday for 2 1/2 hours , 1:00 pm–3:30 pm
Cost: $50 (mother and one support person)
Register: 301-790-8214
If you're thinking about breastfeeding your baby, this class will help you prepare. We'll discuss the advantages of breastfeeding (there are many of them), common problems and how to solve them, how to continue breastfeeding after you go back to work or school, and more.
Breastfeeding Support Group
When: Ongoing bi-monthly support group. Sessions last 2 1/2 hours
Cost: FREE
Register: Not required
Join other moms—those who are currently breastfeeding and those who are pregnant and interested in breastfeeding—for a comfortable, supportive get-together, where you can nurse your baby or find out how to breastfeed successfully.
Labor of Love
When: Ongoing bi-monthly support group. Sessions last 2 hours
Cost: FREE
Register: Not required
This group offers support and comfort for parents who have lost their baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sibling Preparation Class
When: 3rd Monday of each month, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Where: Pangborn Hall Room 121/122
Cost: $25.00 for first child, $10.00 for each additional
Register: 301-790-8214
Our "Brothers and Sisters" class prepares children ages 3 to 12 for the birth of a new baby. The program includes a photo of your child for the new baby, a t-shirt, coloring book, film and a tour of the room in the Family Birthing Center where the baby will be born. We celebrate the end of the class with refreshments and the presentation of a diploma. (A parent must accompany the child.)
Prepared Childbirth
When: 1st Tuesday/Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Cost: $80 (mother and one support person)
Register: 301-790-8214
Our two-night Prepared Childbirth Course is offered for expectant mothers in their last two months of pregnancy and includes a lecture, discussion, films, and breathing and relaxation exercise.
A support person attends the class with you, and learns how to assist you during your delivery. Breathing, relaxation, and other techniques will be taught to help you manage the strain of labor. Literature included.
Weekend Prepared Childbirth
When: Saturday, 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Cost: $125 (mother and one support person)
Register: 301-790-8214
Our Weekend Prepared Childbirth Program is a unique opportunity for expectant mothers in their last two months of pregnancy and includes a lecture, discussion, films and breathing and relaxation exercise. Breakfast and lunch provided.
A support person attends the class with you, and learns how to assist you during your delivery. Breathing, relaxation, and other techniques will be taught to help you manage the strain of labor.
Newborn Care Class
When: Friday 5:30 pm-9:00 pm
Cost: $60/couple
Register: 301-790-8214
Become more confident in caring for your baby. The class covers current information and care including normal newborn characteristics, swaddling, bathing, temperature taking, signs of illness, coping with crying and colic, care of the navel, care for circumcision, and safety measures, as well as infant CPR. Parents in the seventh month of pregnancy are encouraged to attend, to get a head start on learning to care for your baby.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation can save an infant's life. Learn about CPR, how the heart and lungs work, causes of respiratory and cardiac arrest, and the common causes of airway blockage. You will also learn how to perform CPR, and practice this important technique.
Postpartum Care
Where: Family Birthing Center
When: After the birth of your baby, before you leave the hospital.
Cost: FREE
Register: Not required
While you are still in the hospital, we offer individual instruction on how to care for yourself after the birth of your baby. In addition, we also offer a baby bathing demonstration, as well as information and support to promote a healthy adjustment to parenthood.
Pre/Postnatal Swimming
Where:Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 201
When: Ongoing bi-monthly support group. Sessions last 2 hours
Cost: Requires aquatics membership - $30/month, no additional cost for class
Register: 301-714-4025
This water exercise class can help you maintain or improve your strength and flexibility—and relax a tired body—throughout your pregnancy and after delivery. These exercises are led by an instructor, but you choose the level at which you exercise. Come as often as you like, no registration is necessary. Your physician's written permission is required before you can participate in the class.