In-person and Virtual Parent Education Classes Available!
The safety and comfort of your family is our top priority. In person classes will be held in our GBMC Parent Education Department and the greatest level of care will be in place. Social distancing and appropriate PPE will be required, surfaces will be wiped down before and after class, and the class room setting has been designed for your individual comfort. Virtual class attendants will be sent a invitation to join classes through the Zoom site. Power-point classes for Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding, and Infant Care are available for purchase on our Online Store
Register for Parent Education Classes & Yoga! Class dates through October are available!
Virtual Tours - Watch now below!
Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage Now Available - Please register through the Parent Connection Store
Education is the key to success and confidence when making decisions for your family
GBMC's Parent Education Program offers a full-range of classes and services to help prepare every family for their newest addition. From birth to postpartum doula services to pregnancy yoga, there's something that fits every new parent's needs. You can now register online for upcoming classes.
Parent Connection Store
GBMC's Parent Connection Store offers a variety of essentials for your newborn, and has a wide selection of nursing bra's, breast pump rentals, and accessories. The store is located on the second floor of the main hospital and is open Monday through Friday, 10AM to 4PM. Gift baskets can be custom designed and delivered to a new families room.
Support Groups - Please check our online schedule for dates and times
Nine Months & Counting On - offers group discussions with other families within the community. Topics such as pregnancy questions, community involvement, products, safety reviews, preparing for labor and delivery, infant care, feeding, sleeping patterns, postpartum recovery, and more will be discussed. This group is for both expecting parents, new parents, and babies from 2 weeks of age to 3 months old. This is a wonderful way for new moms to meet new friends and develop play and exercise groups. It is not necessary to deliver at GBMC to attend this support group. In-person and virtual meetings now available. Infants up to three months of age are welcome to join the in-person groups. Please pre-register for the following free support group.
Lactation Support - Available by appointment
Lactation support at GBMC offers nursing mothers advice and support specifically for breast feeding newborns. Trained lactation consultants are available for private appointments to address concerns about every aspect of breast feeding. Click here to book your appointment.
Breast Pump Rentals
GBMC also offers a wide variety of breast pump rentals and sales. Pumps can be purchased or rented through the Parent Connection Store. Additional retail items are available including 11 different styles of nursing bras, newborn gift items, pump replacement parts, nursing covers, pillows and diaper bags.
GBMC is focused on bringing health, healing and hope to those we serve, and we are making every effort to protect our patients, providers, and the public. In response to the ever-changing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and based on the current recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to limit community gatherings, the Parent Education will be cancelling classes through May 15th. Power-point classes for Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding, and Infant Care are available for purchase by clicking on the Parent Education Menu on the left hand navigation and proceed to the Parent Connection Store.
Registered class participants will receive a full refund.
Since this is a rapidly changing situation, GBMC Parent Education program will continue to monitor updates from the CDC and the MDH and will post weekly adjustments to our class schedule. If you are currently registered/or would like to register for any classes after May 15, please check our website one week before the scheduled class date for an update.
Please continue to check the GBMC website at gbmc.org for class updates and hospital visitor policies. Thank you in advance for your understanding and proactive support.
Sincerely,
The GBMC Parent Education Program
Virtual Tour
Discover the unique features that GBMC has to offer by taking a look inside Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and the Parent Connection. This virtual tour guides you through every step of your birth experience at GBMC.
WATCH NOWClasses Offered
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Preparation for Childbirth
A two-week (two consecutive weeknights) course taken around your 7th month (allowing 2-4 weeks between completion and your due date). Class focuses on preparing for labor and birth including phases and stages of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, the role of the labor partner and/or birth doula, cesarean birth, GBMC’s policies and procedures, and postpartum recovery. -
The Weekender - Preparation for Childbirth
A four-hour course for expectant parents who prefer to complete the Childbirth Education Class over a single day. This class covers all the same topics as the Preparation for Childbirth class. For your convenience, OB tours are an online feature that can be previewed in the comfort of your home. -
Postpartum Recovery
Expectant parents to learn how to prepare for their postpartum recovery. Topics include: Physical and emotional changes soon after delivery, what to expect here at GBMC on our “Mother Baby Unit”, partner & family care, community support, pelvic floor changes, follow up appointments, and self-care tips. As excitement builds for the arrival of your new addition, so does the reality of sleep deprivation, physical and emotional changes, and finding the right balance for you and your new family. The class topics will help prepare and support your recovery including coping skills and communication enhancement within your support team. Caring for yourself allows you greater enjoyment during this new adventure. -
Cesarean Preparation
This class is recommended for parents who are planning or have a high likelihood of delivering their babies via cesarean section. Topics will include advanced preparations for home, what to expect during the surgery experience, and postpartum recovery. -
Breastfeeding
A one-session course for all couples who desire to breastfeed their infant. The class includes the physiology of milk production, position techniques, partner’s involvement, schedules and keys to successful breastfeeding. -
Infant Care Workshop
A four-hour workshop providing information on caring for your newborn. Class includes how to feed, play with and bathe your baby, swaddling and soothing techniques, identifying signs of common childhood illnesses/injuries, when to call your pediatrician, and administering medications to an infant. The education provided in this class has shown to increase partners comfort level with overall parenting and newborn skills. Separate registration for Infant and Child CPR and Breastfeeding classes are always recommended. So much to learn and months to enjoy. -
Infant Care Series
A two-session (two consecutive weeknight evenings within two weeks), providing information on caring for a newborn. Class includes the same topics and content as Infant Care Workshop. Separate registration for Infant and Child CPR and Breastfeeding are always recommended. -
CPR - Infant & Child
CPR – Infant & Child Class includes: CPR and first aid for choking victims. Topics such as household safety, pool safety and childproofing will be reviewed. Infant and child CPR will be demonstrated by the instructor. -
Grandparents Refresher
A one-session, 3-hour course for expectant grandparents to learn the latest information on child safety, infant care, car seat safety, and infant CPR. Great gift idea for expecting parents to gift to grandparents and caregivers. -
Sibling Class
This class is designed for expectant siblings ages three to ten years of age. Class is usually taken one month before the baby is due and includes a craft project, video, discussions on preparing for baby, how newborns look and behave, and how to relate to baby in a safe manner. A video tour of our postpartum rooms will be provided for the class. -
OB Tour
Our beautiful OB virtual tour was designed to offer expecting parents and family a wonderful preview of our Maternal Child Health programs and departments. Please review the online policy through the gbmc.org web page regarding visitors before your big day or any scheduled appointments. -
Car Seat Installation
This service will resume once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Installations are held weekly in 45 minute slots for a fee of $40. This service covers infant car seats only. Presently, we do not offer convertible car seat installations. -
Marvelous Multiples
If you are a first time parent or expecting twins the second time around, this class will help to prepare you for the big event. A wonderful one evening class offering parents to be, family and friends the opportunity to prepare for the big day. Topics include: what differences you may experience in labor and delivery, possible cesarean birth, postpartum recovery, holding and transporting two at a time, breast/bottle feeding tips, practical planning advice for bed rest, meals and support and recommendations for baby products. -
Pregnancy & Postpartum Massage
Treat yourself to the therapeutic benefits of pregnancy/postpartum massage. This 1-hour session focuses on relieving normal discomforts such as swelling and lower back pain, improving sleeping patterns, and naturally supports the body for birth and postpartum recovery. -
Pregnancy Yoga
Prepare your mind and body for your upcoming birth. Increase your flexibility, strengthen your body, build confidence and relax with the learned techniques of pregnancy yoga. Prior to the start of any new exercise program, consultation with your provider is highly recommended. -
Postpartum Yoga
A movement program designed to help the birthing person reconnect with their body through various exercises to regain the physical balance, pelvic floor mobility, and core strength that may have been affected through the birthing process. -
Positive Parenting and Darkness to Light
This is a wonderful opportunity for couples to explore open communication, constructive feedback, and encourage one another with parenting styles and positive reinforcement. Communication can be the foundation for this new journey into parenthood. This interactive class encourages good spirited, couple based conversations. What a great way to enter into parenthood with an open mind and continued support. Topics in this class will also cover teaching parents,caregivers and other adults how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to lifelong discussions regarding safety concerns and protecting your children from predators and sexual abuse.
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