The staff of the Family Birthing Center is dedicated to making the birth of your new baby a positive and rewarding experience. We offer several classes to help you with your pregnancy and childcare.
Family Birthing Center Tour
When: Every Sunday at 4:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Register: Not required
If you would like to familiarize yourself with the Family Birthing Center, please join us for a free tour on Sunday at 4:30 pm. The tour begins in the Women and Childrens Welcome Center.
Breastfeeding Class
When: First Saturday of every month for 2 1/2 hours, 1:00 pm–3:30 pm
Cost: FREE
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: 2 1/2-hour sessions, 2nd and 4th Friday of every month
Cost: FREE
Register: 301-790-8530
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: Monthly 2-hour sessions
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: Third Monday of each month, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
Where: Meritus Medical Center room 2948/2949
Cost: $15.00 for first child, $10.00 for each additional child
Register: 301-790-8214
Our "brothers and sisters" class prepares children ages three to twelve for the birth of a new baby. The program includes hands on activities, safety, hand health, gift bag and a tour of the family birthing center. (A parent must accompany the child.)
Prepared Childbirth
When: First 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 exercises.
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.
This class is also offered in an e-learning option. Call 301-790-8214 for more details.
Newborn Care Class
When: Third Friday of every month 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. 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 offer a baby bathing demonstration, as well as information and support to promote a healthy adjustment to parenthood.
Pre/Postnatal Swimming
Where:Robinwood Professional Center, Suite 201
When: Bi-monthly 2-hour sessions
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.
Car Seat and Installation Class
Where/When:Class schedule varies; please call 301-790-8214 for dates.
Cost: Free (includes snack)
Car seat safety lecture, demonstration, and certified installation and assistance from the instructor. Parents are to bring car seats.
Becoming a Love and Logic parent
Where/When:Class schedule varies; please call 301-790-8214 for dates.
Cost: Free (includes snack)
This four-week course provides simple and practical techniques to help parents have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids.
Healthy Steps for Teen Parents
Where/When:Class schedule varies; please call 301-790-8214 for dates.
Cost: Free (includes snack)
This class empowers teens with the right information and support for a healthy pregnancy and birth experience. The class is taught by nurses, and materials are age-appropriate and easy to understand.
