Childbirth Education

View Current Childbirth Education Class Listings

All parents have questions – whether planning for their first or fifth baby. Helping you find the answers to your questions is the goal of the instructors and staff of the Childbirth Education Department at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. We strive to make our programs and classes:

• Current, informative, and enjoyable (our childbirth educators are all certified instructors).
• A resource for your questions. Class sizes are small to ensure a good experience for participants.
• An opportunity to gather information and help prepare you to make informed decisions about your labor, your birth, and your baby.
• Individualized when necessary. Many of our educators offer private classes for moms on bed rest or expectant parents whose schedules conflict with our group classes.

Early in your pregnancy, please register for classes by calling the Childbirth Education Office at 617-243-6649. A complete listing of our classes can be found on our Web site at www.nwh.org/classes. Registration and payment are required before the start of class. Some insurance plans will reimburse you for the cost of childbirth preparation classes. Following class completion, you will receive a certificate to submit to your insurance carrier. Financial assistance is available by contacting the Childbirth Education Department.

We are available to help meet your childbirth education needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Childbirth Education Office directly at 617-243-6649.

A variety of classes are offered at Newton-Wellesley Hospital to meet your educational needs regarding childbirth. The Childbirth Education Department staff is available to help you with your choices. The following suggestions can be used as guidelines for choosing classes that will best meet your needs.

First-time Parents

You may find it easiest to begin with either a Prepared Childbirth Class, Natural Childbirth Class, Hypno-birthing Class, or Planned Cesarean Childbirth Class. Most of these are offered in a four-week or weekend format. Ideally your childbirth class should be taken in the seventh or eighth month of your pregnancy and finish approximately four to six weeks before your due date. The only exception may be the Hypnobirthing class, which some parents like to take in the sixth or seventh month. Once you have chosen your primary childbirth class, schedule your Breast-feeding, Infant CPR & Safety, and Infant Care Classes around those dates. These classes can be taken at any time but are generally best before your ninth month. Please note that a hospital tour is included in the Prepared, Natural, Hypnobirthing, and Cesarean Birth Classes.

Experienced Parents

If this is your second or subsequent child, you may wish to take a Refresher Class, Hypnobirthing and/or a Maternity Tour. In addition, many parents find the Infant CPR & Safety to be a good review. 

All Expectant Moms

May be interested in our Prenatal Yoga Class.

Class Registration

You may register for all childbirth classes and programs by calling Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Childbirth Education Office at 617-243-6649. A complete listing of classes and programs can be found on the following pages, or visit our website at www.nwh.org/classes.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be given for medical reasons only with physician documentation and may be subject to a processing fee. You may change to a different class up to three days before the start date, but this would be subject to space availability.