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.
Family Birthing Center Tours are offered with most prenatal classes and are also available monthly for those unable to take a class. This tour is available to expectant parents and their partner. We do not allow children or walk-ins.
Wednesday, February 11
5 – 7:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
Free
Registration is required.
This class explains the advantages of nursing, breastfeeding techniques and positions, breast milk expression and storage, ways to prevent common problems, handling the first few weeks at home and more. Fathers and support people are encouraged to attend.
Friday, February 20
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$40 per couple
Registration is required.
For expectant parents who wish that babies came with an owner’s manual, the first class covers diapering, bathing, crying, safety and many other details of newborn care. Next class learn about postpartum self-care and adjustment to make a smoother transition to parenthood.
Saturday, February 21
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per couple
Registration is required.
Let us help you prepare for your upcoming cesarean birth. This course, taught by an experienced Family Birthing Center Registered Nurse, covers information on what to expect in the operating room, ane...
Thursday, February 19
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$40.00
This class gives expectant grandparents the opportunity to learn how to best support the new family. Learn what has changed and why in regard to birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety.
Thursday, February 19
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
$20 per person, $30 per couple
Registration is required.
Designed for expectant parents with tight schedules. This two-session series of classes includes all the vital components to prepare you for labor and birth.
Friday, February 13 & Saturday, February 14
Friday 6 – 9 p.m. & Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$125 per couple
Registration is required.
This class series covers all the essentials for preparing for the labor and birth of your baby, breastfeeding, baby care, and the postpartum period.
Friday, February 13 and 20 Saturday, February 14 and 21
Friday 6 – 8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Registration is required.
This one-hour class is designed for pregnant people. Classes will include warm-up, pregnancy-specific exercises, low-impact cardio, circuit and strength training, stretching, and relaxation techniques.
Medical clearance is required.
Saturdays, February 21 – March 14
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$65
Registration is required.
This one-hour class is designed for pregnant people. Classes will include warm-up, pregnancy-specific exercises, low-impact cardio, circuit and strength training, stretching, and relaxation techniques.
Medical clearance is required.
Saturday, February 21
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
Registration is required.
This four-week postpartum exercise series is designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength.
Saturdays, February 21 –28 & March 7 – 14
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$65
Registration is required.
A one-hour postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength.
Saturday, February 21
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
A one-hour postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength.
Saturday, February 28
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
This three-week series provides an opportunity for (1) parent and baby to deepen their bond and develop relaxation skills that will last a lifetime! Appropriate for babies up to the crawling stage.
Wednesdays, March 6 – 20
10 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50
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 The Family Birthing Center.
Saturday, March 7
3 –4 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$15 per child or $35 per family
Registration is required.
A one-hour postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength.
Saturday, March 7
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
Ideal for couples planning to exclusively pump, parents returning to work, and those breastfeeding past the first six weeks. This class explores best practices for pumping and milk storage, paced bottle feeding, and plenty of tips and tricks. Taught by an IBCLC.
Tuesday, March 10
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$40
Registration is required.
A one-hour postpartum exercise class designed for moms and babies. Classes include cardio and strength exercises with an emphasis on regaining core strength.
Saturday, March 14
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$20
This class series covers all the essentials for preparing for the labor and birth of your baby, breastfeeding, baby care, and the postpartum period.
Tuesdays, March 17 – April 21
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Registration is required.
This class gives expectant grandparents the opportunity to learn how to best support the new family. Learn what has changed and why in regard to birthing practices, baby care, infant feeding and safety.
Thursday, March 19
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
$20 per person, $30 per couple
Registration is required.
This class series covers all the essentials for preparing for the labor and birth of your baby, breastfeeding, baby care, and the postpartum period.
Mondays, March 23 – April 27
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
Registration is required.
This 8-week session teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. 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.
Tuesdays, March 24 – May 12
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$325 per couple
Registration is required.
Let us help you prepare for your upcoming cesarean birth. This course, taught by an experienced Registered Nurse, covers what to expect in the operating room, anesthesia, and family-centered care. Also included will be how to get ready for and recover from a cesarean section, both in the hospital and at home.
For more information, call the Perinatal Education Office at 860.647.4790.
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 Our Family Development Center.
This is a home visiting program that serves low-income families and children from birth to age three, 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.
P: 860.682.2681
E: bhernandez@echn.org
This program serves children from birth to age six, 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.
P: 860.266.0126
E: 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 two to five 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.
Registration is required.
For more information, program schedules, locations or to enroll, contact Randy-Lynn Schuman.
P: 860.335.6954
E: 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.
P: 860.463.8197
E: 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