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 in six weeks. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Mondays, February 24 – March 31
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$175 per couple
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, February 27
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$20 per person
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, February 27
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$30 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, February 28
6 – 8:30 p.m.
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, March 1
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per couple
Pre-registration is required
An interactive class designed for couples who have had a baby before or have taken the Understanding Birth eClass. This class gives couples a hands-on opportunity to get more in-depth information on comfort and coping skills for labor.
Tuesday, March 4
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$35 per couple
Pre-registration is required
Learn the many benefits of Infant Massage (age six weeks to crawling) in this hands-on Mom & Baby Class.
Wednesdays, March 5 – 19
10 – 11:15 a.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$50 per Mom/Baby Pair
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 tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Fridays, March 7 – May 16 (every other Friday)
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$325 per couple
Pre-registration is required
This class is for couples who are pregnant up to 25 weeks or are hoping to become pregnant soon, and it is designed to help you have the healthiest and safest pregnancy possible.
Wednesday, March 12
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
Free
Pre-registration is required
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care in six weeks. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Thursdays, March 18 – April 17
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Class (Zoom)
$175 per couple
Pre-registration is required
Learn the essentials for labor, birth, breastfeeding, postpartum and baby care in six weeks. Includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center.
Tuesdays, March 18 – April 14
6 – 8:30 p.m.
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, March 28 – Saturday, March 29
Friday 6 – 9 p.m. & Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Manchester Memorial Hospital
$125 per couple
Pre-registration is required
Here’s the solution for parents who want the information but can’t fit the classes into their schedules or for moms on bed rest. These self-paced online classes will cover all the vital components of labor and birth from any device. Class includes evidence-based material, videos, animation, quizzes and fun activities. The program also includes an “Ask the Educator” feature with one of the Childbirth Educators from Manchester Hospital.
$100 for 9-month access
Call 860.647.4790 for more information or to register.
Every month, we offer in-person tours of the Family Birthing Center to help expectant parents become familiar with our facility.
Saturday, January 11
Wednesday, February 19
Saturday, March 15
Manchester Memorial Hospital
Free
Pre-registration is required.
The Maternity Care & Family Planning Center at Rockville General Hospital provides prenatal and postpartum care for women who are uninsured and 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. Assistance is offered to help anyone enroll in Husky medical insurance plans. 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 three, 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 with a focus on school readiness and helping families achieve their goals.
For more information and/or to enroll:
860.682.2681
bhernandez@echn.org
This program serves children from birth to six years old, 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:
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 six-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:
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.
Waddell Elementary School, Manchester
Outdoor/Indoor Playgroups
Wednesdays 10 – 11 a.m.
To register:
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 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:
wmingo@echn.org