Childbirth Education & New Parent Support

We want you to be confident and comfortable as you prepare to welcome your new baby into your life. The Women & Children's Center offers parents, grandparents - even new siblings - many opportunities to learn more about labor and delivery, as well as valuable skills for when you bring baby home.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is taking steps to mitigate the spread of infections at this time. One of these steps includes offering alternative options to traditional perinatal classes. Classes will now be a combination of self-guided education and a live virtual class with one of our instructors. 

We have also reduced the cost of our classes during this challenging time. If your family is experiencing hardship and the current cost prohibits you from signing up for class, please contact us at (603) 609-6964 or lyndi.sargent@wdhospital.org. We are happy to help. 

Childbirth Education Classes

Prepared Childbirth Series (5 Classes)

This class covers traditional childbirth education, including an overview of labor, birth, medications, potential complications and postpartum care. This class involves weekly online modules you complete at your own pace followed by a virtual class with one of our instructors. Class meets for five weeks for 90 minutes to review online materials and connect with one of our instructors.  Cost is $50/per couple.

Upcoming dates:

January 5th - February 2nd @5:30pm and @7:00pm

February 15th - March 15th @5:30pm and @7:00pm

Prepared Childbirth Series (Weekend)

This class has been designed as an alternative to the evening classes. The same information is taught. Couples enrolled in this class will be given online modules to complete at their own pace followed by virtual instruction with one of our educators. The virtual class will meet online both Saturday and Sunday.  Class will last between 90 minutes and two hours based on class size and needs. *Class times vary, please be sure to check the time you are registering for before submitting your registration.  Cost is $50/per couple.

Upcoming dates:

2021 Dates: Saturday and Sundays at 10am January 9th & 10th, January 23rd & 24th, February 6th & 7th and February 20th & 21st 

Prepared Childbirth Class (One Day)

*This class will resume once we can allow groups to meet at the hospital again. 

Kriya Birth - Mind Body Birth Education

This four-week series is designed for women or couples looking for a deeper exploration of the mind/body connection through pregnancy and birth. You will learn techniques to minimize fear and pain, and leave with increased courage in your body's ability to birth. In this class you will learn how to:

~ Access deep relaxation allowing the body to move through labor with ease. ~ Engage the mind to work with any discomfort you may experience. ~ Communicate your needs with support people and providers. ~ Use positioning and other techniques to encourage a gentle birth. ~ Increase confidence in your body's innate wisdom to birth and your ability to cope with any stress that may arise.

Partners and support people will leave this class with the confidence to take an active role in the birth experience. Classes are offered (virtually) one night a week for five weeks from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Cost is $40 per couple.

Upcoming dates:  Wednesday Feb 10th; Wednesday March 17th 

Beyond the Classroom

This 90-minute class is designed to help expecting couples navigate the tools available to them in their labor and delivery rooms at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Couples will have a chance to “try out” the available tools in an actual labor and delivery room. This hands-on class is intended to help you feel more comfortable using the tools available to you. Investment in this class is $35.00. Weekday classes run 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, weekend classes run 10:00 am - 11:30 am.  Participants who are registered for or have attended a previous Childbirth Class with us can save 50% on this class. A discount code will be provided in an email. 

*This class will resume once we can allow visitors in the hospital again.

Adjusting with Ease - A Workshop for Expecting Parents

The transition from couple to parenting can be both wonderful and challenging. If you're looking for ways to prepare for the changes ahead, this is a great way to start! This class will help you set realistic expectations about life after baby and help you plan for the journey ahead. Through this informative and interactive workshop you'll gain some great skills and be better prepared to balance your own needs within your new roles as parents. This 2.5 hour workshop runs in the evening from 5:30-8:00 pm several times a year. This class is $20.00 per couple.

*This class will resume once we can allow visitors in the hospital again.

VBAC

Once a cesarean always a cesarean? It’s not that simple. Join us to learn about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). We will share evidence based information about VBAC and repeat cesareans.  In this class you will:

• Gain the skills and confidence required to help you build your birth team and communicate your preferences to them.
• Examine your previous birth experience(s) in relation to their impact on your future birth experiences.
• Identify ways that you can plan for the birth experience you would like:
  • Information
  • Skills for coping with labor
  • Things you can do during pregnancy.
• Work on coping skills to help you find peace with what your birth experience may bring.
• Have a better understanding of what a VBAC looks like at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Upcoming Dates: please email Lyndi Sargent at lyndi.sargent@wdhospital.org for further information

Breastfeeding Class

This class is intended for women who are planning on breastfeeding or who are considering breastfeeding. Lactation consultants/counselors will discuss the advantages of breastfeeding, how to get started and stay breastfeeding, how to continue breastfeeding once returning to work and much more! Partners are encouraged to attend as well. Classes are offered one Tuesday each month and occasional Saturdays. This class involves self-paced on line modules you complete prior to a virtual class with one of our instructors.   Cost is $20 per couple.

Upcoming dates: January 14th @5:30, February 11th @5:30, & March 30th @5:30 

Great Beginnings

Unsure of what to expect bringing a new baby home? This class will provide expectant parents or caregivers great information on newborn development, and what to expect in the early weeks of parenting. Topics include diapering, bathing, sleep cycles, general wellness and safety. Parents/caregivers will also learn some simple techniques to help soothe fussy babies. This class involves self-paced online modules you complete prior to a virtual class with one of our instructors. Cost is $30 per family and is offered monthly. 

2021 Dates: Wednesdays; January 13th at 6:00pm and January 27th at 6:00pm
                   Tuesdays; February 9th at 6:00pm and February 23rd at 6:00pm 

                   Wednesdays; March 10th at 6:00pm & March 24th at 6:00pm

 Infant Massage

This is a 90-minute workshop intended for moms, dads, or caretakers, interested in learning how to communicate love and respect through the nurturing touch of infant massage. Benefits of infant massage include: Increased bonding, relaxation, better sleep, improved circulation. Infant massage also helps with digestion and assists with body awareness as babies develop. Cost is $15. Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

*This class will resume once we can allow visitors in the hospital again.

Intro to Foods

Introducing new foods to infants can be both exciting and intimidating. In this one-hour workshop you'll learn: the best foods to start with; how to introduce foods safely; how to chose the most nourishing store-bought foods; how to make cost effective nutritious homemade foods; and the best approaches to encourage a healthy relationship with food as babies grow.  We'll also offer a baby food cooking demo as a part of this class. Classes run from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Cost per couple: $15.00   

*This class will resume once we can allow visitors in the hospital again.

Babysitting Course

The Education/Organizational Development Department offers a babysitting course for 11-14 year-olds to review various babysitting responsibilities and basic first aid. Class is offered one Saturday per month from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cost is $30. Visit wdhospital.org/events or call (603) 740-2858 to register.

No Fee Childbirth Education - Registration is required

Women & Children's Center Tour 

Group tours are currently on hold. Updated 10/1/2020. Take a virtual tour with us here.

Cesarean Delivery Class

This class is intended for those expecting to have a Cesarean birth (C-section). We will discuss what to expect when you arrive at the Women & Children's Center and the process of preparing you for your birth. This class is offered on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. There is no charge for this course.

Upcoming Dates: 

January 18th 

Car Seat Safety Checks

We offer families an opportunity to see that their car seats are installed safely prior to the birth of their new baby. Our certified car seat safety technicians will work with you one on one. Please contact us at (603) 740-2496 to make an appointment.

Appointments are required. Please contact 740-2496 for questions and additional dates.

Sibling Class  * At this time siblings under 18 are not able to visit at the hospital.  updated 12/2020

During this time we have prepared a virtual class for your and your family. Once you register you will receive a confirmation email containing a video you can watch with your child. On the day and time of class you will meet virtually with one of our Certified Child Life Specialists where brothers- and sisters-to-be will participate in an engaging activity together. This free class is intended for children ages 3 and older. 

*One registration is good for each family regardless of the number of children attending

Upcoming Dates: November 4th @5:30pm , January 6th @5:30pm, & March 3rd @5:30pm

Siblings at Birth  
* At this time siblings under 18 are not allowed as a visitor in the hospital until the postpartum time*  updated 7/14/2020

This class is for big brothers and sisters who will be present during the birth of their new baby sibling! Children will learn about the hospital equipment they will see, the stages of labor, how they can help and what the new baby will look like during the delivery. Families will watch a movie and tour the Women & Children's Center. We work with each family to share this information in the way they are most comfortable. To schedule, call Child Life Services at (603) 740-2496.

Grandparents Class

This class is designed to help grandparents understand recent changes in childbirth and early infant care. In addition to this we discuss creative ways to support the new parents. A tour of the Women & Children's Center is included. This class is offered Saturdays ever other month from 10:00 a.m. - noon.

*This class will resume once we can allow visitors in the hospital again

Support Groups

During these unprecedented times we know how important it is to connect with others. Please join us for virtual meetings and workshops run by the Wentworth-Douglass Doulas. Registration is required. Please click on the dates below to register for groups. More information can be found on the Wentworth-Douglass Doulas Page on Facebook.

Looking for a way to reduce anxiety and prepare for a gentle birth? Please enjoy these free meditations. 

• Guided Relaxation/Kriya Birth 
• Pregnancy Meditation on Acceptance during Challenging Times

New Parents Support Group

 ***This group is currently meeting virtually twice a month. With alternating host from our Lactation department and from our Child Life Specialist department***All meetings will take place at 2:30 pm

January 20th , February 3rd and 17th, March 3rd, 17th and 31st

Come and meet other new parents and discuss topics of concern to you. This group is facilitated by lactation consultants and child life specialists.

New Mothers Wellness Group

***This group is not meeting in person currently but we are meeting on line, please contact Marisa 740-2431 for information***

Becoming a mother, again or for the first time, can be joyful and challenging. If you're not feeling quite yourself or it's not what you expected, you're not alone. Many women feel overwhelmed, isolated or scared at times. Talking with other moms who are experiencing the same feelings can help. Join us for our free mothers support group where you can be real, valued and understood. Babies are welcome and childcare is available. If you are interested in attending this group please call Marisa at (603) 740-2431 or Lyndi at (603) 609-6964. 

Prenatal/Postpartum Fitness at The Works Family Health and Fitness Center

Exercising during pregnancy and after is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby. These specialized programs were designed for the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum women to help you achieve or continue your fitness goals through a balance of strength and cardio training and therapeutic exercise.

Visit The Works to learn more