Childbirth Classes and Family Education

Childbirth Classes and Family Education

Whether you are soon to be a first-time parent or will be growing your family, Elliot Hospital Childbirth Education provides an array of informative programs to help you learn more about your pregnancy and birth and caring for your baby.

Exceptional beginnings

Our registered nurses and board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) have the knowledge, compassion, and years of experience to empower, educate and inspire you. You’ll learn from nurses who will be working alongside your provider to care for you and your baby during your delivery experience.

Classes are also an ideal opportunity to meet and connect with other parents within our community. We now offer both virtual and in-person class options.  For more information please reach out to us at childbirthed@elliot-hs.org.

Tour Our Facility

Take a virtual tour today of Elliot Hospital’s Labor and Delivery and Postpartum units. Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.


Childbirth Classes

We currently offer both virtual and in-person childbirth classes. We suggest planning to take our birthing classes within the 30-35 week timeframe of your pregnancy, although you are welcome to join us at any time.

This class is taught by registered nurses who are certified childbirth educators. It is designed to help our patients prepare for their childbirth experience and assist support partners in readying for their crucial role.

This class covers:

  • Third trimester pregnancy changes
  • The birth process
  • Coping strategies for labor, including positioning techniques, relaxation strategies, breathing patterns and pain medication options
  • Caesarean delivery and early postpartum care

Taught by a registered nurse, this class prepares expectant parents to care for and feed their newborn during the first six weeks of life.
 
This class explores:

  • Normal newborn procedures and tests; newborn screening, circumcision, and hearing testing
  • Caring for your newborn, including, bathing, diapering, skin care, and dressing
  • Safety - safe sleep and car seat safety
  • Choosing a healthcare provider and symptoms to report

Taught by a board-certified lactation consultant, we will introduce parents to the basics of breastfeeding to help them get off to a good start.

The class will cover:

  • Comfortable positioning for feeding
  • Avoiding common breastfeeding issues
  • The basics of pumping and storing breast milk

The Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED course equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving children and babies. Please note, this is a non-certifying class.

Class Schedule and Registration

Our classes fill up quickly. For the childbirth classes, we recommend you sign up around the 24th week of your pregnancy. We suggest planning to take the childbirth classes around the 30th to 35th week of your pregnancy, although you are welcome to join us at any time.

Register for Classes


New Moms Group

This weekly get-together offers all new mothers and their babies the opportunity to share and network about life with your new baby! The group is led by an experienced Elliot Hospital registered nurse who is also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Topics shared include feeding, crying, sleeping, relationships, and finding your new balance in life. Guest speakers are invited throughout the year.

New Moms Group is drop in and held every Wednesday from 11am - 1pm at The Elliot at River’s Edge. Babies under one are welcome to join. Group follows the Manchester school district in terms of cancellation for inclement weather.

For additional information please email MomsGroup@Elliot-hs.org or call Elliot Hospital’s lactation office at 603-663-4464.


Lactation Support

When the Elliot Hospital lactation consultants work with you for the support and benefit of your breastfeeding success, they and the maternity nurses will be asking you to complete a breastfeeding log. This log states the goals for each day and helps you to keep track of feedings and diaper changes. The nurses will review this to help you gain confidence each day with your baby’s and your own progress.

Learn More

This breastfeeding log is very important if your baby is born a little bit early. You will hear the nurses and doctors say, “Your Late Preterm Infant.” These are babies born between 34-37 weeks gestation, so they are 3-6 weeks early. There is important information we want every parent to know about a baby born late preterm (also called premature or “preemie”).