Prepare for Giving Birth
About Childbirth Education at BIDMC
BIDMC offers informative and convenient classes on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care. These classes are led by our own BIDMC nurses, who are certified childbirth educators and certified lactation consultants. Our classes are open to all, including those not delivering at BIDMC.
BIDMC offers in-person and virtual classes, in addition to online learning modules you can browse at your own pace.
Virtual Q&A Session
We invite all expecting parents to join us for our monthly Q&A webinar to speak directly with our childbirth education experts and ask questions.
We recognize that delivering a baby right now may cause anxiety; this is a natural reflection of love for your growing family. We remain committed to keeping you and your family safe and to preserving the joy of childbirth. Wewill have the latest updated information regarding hospital policies, including visitors. This is a great option to attend as we no longer offer in-person tours. We will review our online virtual tour gallery, and answer any questions you have.
In-Person Classes
Childbirth and newborn classes, including infant CPR, are available in an all-in-one course on limited weekends. This class takes place at BIDMC from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. All hospital COVID-19 guidelines must be followed.
Learn more about this class and sign up below.
Virtual Childbirth Education Classes
Visit the Eventbrite website to view and register for online learning modules, available in both English and Spanish. Once you sign up, you will have access to various learning modules for nine months, and will also be given a link to join one of the live sessions that we offer several times per month via Zoom.
Tuition Reimbursem*nt
Please check with your insurance provider to determine if reimbursem*nt for childbirth classes is available. If so, save your Eventbrite receipt and provide it to them along with your Certificate of Completion.
If you have an FSA or HSA account, you can submit course receipts and completion certificates to those accounts as well.
Weekly Pregnancy and Parenting Emails
Sign up to receive weekly emails from Christine Sweeney, LICSW, Program Manager of the Parent Connection. These emails will include customized information, news and resources tailored to your specific stage of pregnancy and/or your child’s age—as well as announcements from our staff and access to support information—all conveniently delivered right to you!
Breastfeeding Support
We are now offering both in-person and virtual breastfeeding support.
Weekly In-Person Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding is a wonderful and natural way to feed your baby. This is especially true during the fourth trimester. We are happy to be able to offer a space for practice and support. We offer in-person breastfeeding support for the lactating caregiver and their baby age 0-12 weeks, with our IBCLC Lactation Consultant.
In order to align with the BIDMC Infection Control Policies, to keep you and the baby safe, we are only able to invite the lactating caregiver and baby to these sessions.
When: Wednesdays: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Cost: Free!
- Registration is required for each session
- Please sign up for one session at a time (If you are not pre-registered, we would not be able to accommodate you during that particular time)
Where: 5 Feldberg Solarium, East Campus 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA
Virtual Breastfeeding Support
This resource is designed for families who are three months or more into their breastfeeding journey; however, all lactating families are welcome. The purpose of this weekly question and answer opportunity is to support families as they progress along their breastfeeding journey. Common topics include general breastfeeding, pumping, returning to work, breastfeeding and the addition of solid food and weening. These weekly sessions are hosted by an IBCLC via Zoom.
When: Wednesdays 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm on Zoom
Cost: Free!
- Registration is required for each session
- Please sign up for one session at a time
Online Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is a gentle, quiet form of yoga that uses props to support the body, allowing for mental and emotional relaxation. We are now offering online classes every Wednesday at 6:00 pm for pregnant patients. Sign up at the link below to receive online meeting details.
Anesthesia for Childbirth
Obstetric anesthesiologists are hosting free Q&A sessions virtually to share information and to answer questions about anesthesia and pain management during labor and delivery. Sessions are held on the last Thursday of February, May and August, and the third Thursday in November, from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Please view this flyerfor more information, including the Zoom webinar link.
Take a Virtual Tour of Labor & Delivery
Welcome To Our Labor & Delivery Unit!
From where to park and which elevators to take, to the triage area and where you'll rest and recover, this 360-photo tour gives you a look into the labor and delivery experience at BIDMC.
