We are here to prepare you for the exciting adventures of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, and we invite you to take part in our wide variety of childbirth education classes. Classes are open to all prospective parents, whether or not you plan to give birth at Manchester Memorial Hospital. All instructors are certified in their specialties.
For additional information or to register over the phone, call 860.647.4790.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Mondays, June 2 – July 7
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
This class is designed for couples who recently found out they are pregnant (up to 25 weeks) or are hoping to become pregnant in the near future.
Friday, June 6
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
Free
Pre-registration is required.
Get off to a good start with breastfeeding and learn what to expect in the first few weeks.
Wednesday, June 11
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$35 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn how to navigate your first few weeks at home with your newborn as you recover from labor and birth. Hands-on instruction will be provided for diapering, swaddling, bathing plus postpartum self-care and adjustment to make a smoother transition to parenthood.
Wednesdays, June 18 & 25
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
For children ages 2-10 whose parents are expecting another baby to help them understand their roles as big brothers and big sisters and get them familiar with The Family Birthing Center. Parents are welcome/encouraged to attend with their little ones free of charge.
Friday, June 20
6 – 7 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$15/child or $35/family with 3 or more children
Pre-registration is required.
Learn what is new with birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety, plus practical tips on how to best support the new family.
Thursday, June 26
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$20
Pre-registration is required.
Learn what is new with birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety, plus practical tips on how to best support the new family.
Thursday, June 26
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$30
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Tuesdays, July 8 – August 12
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Friday, July 11 – Saturday, July 12 & Friday, July 25 – Saturday, July 26
Fri. 6 – 9 p.m. & Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p,m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor and birth in just one weekend. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Friday, July 11 & Saturday, July 12
Fri. 6 – 9 p.m. & Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$125 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the many benefits of Infant Massage (age 6-weeks to crawling) in this hands-on mom & baby class.
Wednesdays, July 16 – 30
10 – 11:15 a.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per mom/baby pair
Pre-registration is required.
This class is designed for couples who recently found out they are pregnant (up to 25 weeks) or are hoping to become pregnant in the near future.
Wednesday, July 16
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
Free
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Thursdays, July 17 – August 21
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Mondays, July 21 – August 25
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Get off to a good start with breastfeeding and learn what to expect in the first few weeks.
Friday, July 25
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$35 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn how to navigate your first few weeks at home with your newborn as you recover from labor and birth. Hands-on instruction will be provided for diapering, swaddling, bathing plus postpartum self-care and adjustment to make a smoother transition to parenthood.
Saturday, July 26
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
A prenatal class for parents to learn the many benefits of newborn massage, infant cues, newborn behavioral states and massage techniques to use as soon as their baby is born.
Wednesday, July 30
6 – 8 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$35
Pre-registration is required.
Learn this specialized method of Natural Childbirth where the focus and belief is that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. Includes a book and a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Every other Friday, August 1 – October 10
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$325 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
For children ages 2-10 whose parents are expecting another baby to help them understand their roles as big brothers and big sisters and get them familiar with The Family Birthing Center. Parents are welcome/encouraged to attend with their little ones free of charge.
Saturday, August 2
10 – 11 a.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$15/child or $35/family with 3 or more children
Pre-registration is required.
Learn what is new with birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety, plus practical tips on how to best support the new family.
Friday, August 8
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$30
Pre-registration is required.
Learn what is new with birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety, plus practical tips on how to best support the new family.
Friday, August 8
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
Pre-registration is required.
This is an interactive class specifically designed for couples who have had a baby before or have taken the Understanding Birth eClass. The class gives couples a hands-on opportunity to get more in-depth information on comfort & coping skills for labor.
Wednesday, August 20
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$35 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor and birth in just one weekend. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Friday, August 22 & Saturday, August 23
Fri. 6 – 9 p.m. & Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$125 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care. Includes tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Friday, August 22 – Saturday, August 23 & Wednesdays, August 27 – September 10
Fri. 6 – 9 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p,m, & Wed. 6 – 8 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Get off to a good start with breastfeeding and learn what to expect in the first few weeks.
Wednesday, August 27
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital
$35 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
A one hour program for children ages 2 - 10 whose parents are expecting another baby. This class helps older children understand their roles as big brothers and big sisters and gets them familiar with...
Friday, September 12
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$15.00
Every month, we offer FREE in-person tours of the Family Birthing Center to help expectant parents become familiar with our facility.
Pre-registration is required.
The Maternity Care & Family Planning Center at Rockville General Hospital provides prenatal and postpartum care for women, whether uninsured or insured. Women who receive prenatal care through the Center have access to ultrasounds and laboratory services, as well as gynecological services including physical examinations, sexually transmitted infection testing, pregnancy testing, disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, and family planning services. Patients receiving care through the Center will receive one-on-one care from a doctor or nurse. The Center’s staff works closely with the staff of the Family Birthing Center at Manchester Memorial Hospital to ensure a seamless transition of care for prenatal patients as they prepare for birth. Private payers are also welcome.
For more information, call 860.872.5170 Monday, Wednesday or Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Family Development Center is operating in-person and is providing virtual services as needed to the families enrolled in our programs. We are offering home visits, telephone support for families, playgroups, storytime, and parent workshops. The programs connect families to community resources such as diaper banks, food pantries, rental assistance, utility assistance, and mental health services.
The following grant-funded programs are offered through ECHN’s Family Development Center.
This is a home visiting program that serves low-income families and children from birth to age 3, as well as pregnant women and their partners residing in Manchester or Vernon. A Parents as Teachers (PAT) certified Parent Educator provides parent education, child development information, developmental screenings, disability, nutritional and behavioral health services, field trips, playgroups and parent leadership opportunities.
Weekly home visits, literacy-based playgroups, parent support groups and nutrition classes are offered to all families with a focus on school readiness and helping families achieve their goals.
For more information and/or to enroll, contact Brandi Hernandez:
860.682.2681
bhernandez@echn.org
This program serves children from birth to 6 years old, as well as pregnant women and their partners. Parent Educators offer home visitation, parent education, parent-child group experiences, playgroups and development screening referrals to community resources, social emotional support and a fatherhood program to support dads/male partners. All components of the program are being offered in-person including weekly playgroups and weekly home visits.
For more information and/or to enroll, contact Nichole Herman:
860.247.8795
nherman@echn.org
Attention fathers, uncles, grandfathers, father figures and male role models: Please consider joining our Fatherhood Parenting Groups and Platforms. We will connect, learn, motivate and encourage each other in one-on-one or group interactions both virtually and in-person.
To learn more, contact Kwasi Ntem-Mensah:
860.266.0126
kntem-mensah@echn.org
The Vernon Family Resource Center (FRC) serves children and families in the Vernon community. The FRC offers education and support services for the entire family. Services include home visiting, parent-child playgroups, positive youth development, parenting education, support for family childcare providers, resources and referrals to community services, adult education, preschool care and after-school care.
Laugh & Learn Playgroups for Vernon residents and their children ages 2 – 5 years old. Family Child Care Providers are also welcome and encouraged to attend with the children in their care. Playgroups run in 6-week sessions and are hosted in partnership with the Vernon Family School Community Partnerships office.
Pre-registration is required.
For more information, program schedules and locations or to enroll, contact Randy-Lynn Schuman:
860.335.6954
rschuman@echn.org
This program offers education and support services for the entire family. Services include home visiting, parent-child playgroups, positive youth development, parenting education, support for family childcare providers, resources and referrals to community services, adult education, preschool care and after-school care.
Outdoor/Indoor Playgroups
Wednesdays 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Waddell Elementary School, Manchester
To register, contact Shelley-Ann Matthews:
860.463.8197
smatthew@echn.org
This program offers supportive services to teen parents, their partners or at-risk youth in the Manchester school system to ensure they graduate from high school while developing successful parenting skills. STEPP provides one-on-one coaching, mentoring, case management, in-school visitation, workshops and group peer sessions. STEPP also provides in-person home visits, playgroups, teen workshops (basic money skills and self-love), connection to resources and family engagement opportunities.
For more information and/or to enroll contact Whitley Mingo at
wmingo@echn.org