Learning about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care begins with your first doctor's visit and continues through your hospital stay and beyond. In addition to the in-hospital teaching provided by our specialized nursing staff on breastfeeding, baby care and other topics, Main Line Health offers a full range of pregnancy-related classes for you and your family.

For scheduling and information on fees, class locations, dates, and times, please view the information below or our Calendar of Events. (Preregistration is required for all classes. Please call 1-866-CALL-MLH to preregister or if you have any additional questions).

Class Descriptions:

Prepared Childbirth Series:
This three-week class is offered to couples expecting their first baby or couples who have never attended childbirth classes. Classes focus on both the physical and emotional aspects of labor and delivery with emphasis on breathing and relaxation techniques. The instructor will discuss the natural progression of labor and delivery; provide information on coping strategies for labor including medication and anesthesia options; discuss the role of support person; prepare participants for the possibility of cesarean birth; and provide a tour of the labor/delivery/maternity area.

Class size is limited so please register early. Best to take this program during your 7th month of pregnancy.

Fee: $95 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

One Day Prepared Childbirth Class:
This One-Day Childbirth Preparation Class is an alternative for couples who are unable to attend the three-week series due to time constraints or fluctuating schedules. The content is the same as the Prepared Childbirth Series but taught in an accelerated fashion. A tour of the Maternity Unit is included.

Please Note: Lunch is on your own and not included in the registration fee. (Lunch can be purchased in the hospital cafeteria if desired.) Class size is limited so please register early!

Fee: $95 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Refresher for Prepared Childbirth:
The Refresher class is for those who have taken a childbirth preparation course during a previous pregnancy. This class offers a review of breathing and relaxation skills, the stages of labor, uses of medications, and discusses sibling adjustment.

Fee: $45 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Getting Ready for Baby: A Special Delivery:
Attend this one-session class to help prepare for your new baby's arrival. Hear from a Pediatrician on such topics as selecting a Pediatrician, the normal newborn, immunization, and when to call the Pediatrician. Learn helpful hints about understanding the newborn. Gain important information about car seats, infant safety, and furnishing needs.

Please note: this is NOT an infant care class as demonstrations on bathing and diapering will be offered during your hospital stay.

Fee: $35 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Sibling Preparation Class:
This one-session class for children from three to seven years old, focuses on the role of the big brother or sister and includes a tour of the nursery and maternity unit.

Class size is limited. Children must be at least three years old to attend and be accompanied by an adult.

Fee: $30 per family
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class:
During this program you will learn breastfeeding techniques to get you off to a good start, steps for successful breastfeeding, and information for coping with common situations or problems that can occur in the early weeks. Fathers of the baby or a supportive family member are encouraged to attend. We recommend that you take this class approximately two to three months before delivery. (Offered at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital, and Lankenau Hospital and the Main Line Health Center in Collegeville).

Fee: $35 per family
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Infant and Child CPR:
We offer instruction on infant and child (birth through age eight) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and chokesaving techniques. Expectant mothers must have permission from their physician to attend this class. Instruction provided by the American Red Cross. Please call them directly at 1-800-422-7677 to register and inquire for class dates and times.

Fee: $65 per person
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Tour of Maternity Department:
A free tour of the labor/delivery/maternity area is available. (Please note: for those couples taking the Prepared Childbirth Series, the tour is already included with your class.) Tours fill up quickly, please register early.

You and your partner will take a free tour of the labor and delivery area, postpartum unit and newborn nursery. Visiting policies, how to get to the labor and delivery area and the layout of the actual rooms will be discussed. Please understand that you may not see a labor and delivery room if they are all in use at the time of your tour. If you would like more information about the birthing process, please register for the Prepared Childbirth classes, since these questions cannot be addressed in the most effective manner during a general tour. 

No children please. Due to space and environmental limitations and for the consideration of our expectant and new families, participation of children on these tours is not allowed.

Fee: Free, registration required.
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Cesarean Birth Preparation: 
This one session class will discuss topics pertaining to having a scheduled cesarean birth, including indications, operating and recovery room procedures, postpartum recovery and possible emotional issues surrounding delivering your baby by cesarean birth. A brief cesarean birth video will be shown.
Fee: $35 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Advanced Comfort Measures:
This interactive one session class will be discussing comfort measures, beyond breathing and relaxation, that are taught during the regular prepared childbirth classes. Topics to be discussed and practiced will include birth balls, massage and pressure points, hot and cold therapies and additional positions for comfort. This class is in addition to the basics taught during prepared Childbirth classes.

Fee: $35 per couple
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

The Happiest Baby:
The Happiest Baby was developed by Dr. Harvey Karp, with his vision to strengthen the bond between parents and their children and to help them create happier, healthier, more loving families. Dr. Karp has found that his approach may help prevent breastfeeding failure, postpartum depression, exhaustion, marital stress and even shaken baby syndrome. It also helps fathers become more involved with their baby's care and helps them feel more competent and secure. The Parent Kit includes a Happiest Baby on the Block DVD.

Fee: $75 per couple, includes DVD
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Marvelous Multiples: 
You're expecting twins, triplets, or more with excitement, numbness, thrilled, worried, and overwhelmed feelings, at the same time. This 3 week series will discuss nutrition and weight gain, appropriate activities and exercise, coping with discomforts of multiple pregnancies, coping with bedrest, warning signs of possible complications, premature babies and the NICU, birthing options for multiples, and postpartum and bonding with multiples. Due to the higher chance of requiring early bedrest when expecting multiples, you are encouraged to attend this class early in your second trimester. This class is in addition to Prepared Childbirth classes. (Class meets at Bryn Mawr Hospital).

Fee: $95 per couple, includes book.
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Prenatal/Postpartum Exercises:
This ongoing, weekly class will focus on safely exercising during your pregnancy and postpartum. Educational discussions will be presented, including car seat safety, body mechanics, nutrition for mom and family, posture, and proper positioning for feeding baby. Exercises will include the Physio/Birth Ball. Pregnant women will need to note indicating medical clearance from their health care provider before participating in this class. Please bring your own birth ball to class, if you have one. Birth balls can also be purchased at each class. (Offered at The Outpatient Rehabilitation Department at Paoli Hospital.)

Fee: $5/week or receive 1 free class for every 4 prepaid classes.
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Infant Massage Class for New Mothers and Baby at Bryn Mawr Hospital:
Discover a great way to stimulate and interact with your baby through infant massage. Learn techniques that will help you raise a calmer happier baby...and be a calmer, happier parent. Ideal for infants from birth to 6 months old.

Benefits for Baby include:

• Increases sense of being loved and accepted
• Improves body awareness and muscle tone
• Releases stress and improves sleep
• Stimulates circulation and digestion
• Reduces discomfort from colic, gas, constipation
• Stimulates right/left brain development and coordination

Benefits for Parents include:

• Improved relaxation and stress relief
• Better parenting skills
• Quality bonding time with baby
• Increased communications skills between baby and parent

This course consists of 3 one-hour classes, scheduled one week apart- held on the first 3 Tuesdays of each month from 1PM -2PM in Conference Room f at Bryn Mawr Hospital. (No Classes in December).

Instructor: Nacy Nagle DC, CIMI
Fee: $60.00 for the series.
Registration and Class Times:  View the Calendar of Events

Additional Information...

• Registration: Class size is limited and registrations fill quickly, so please register early in your pregnancy. Spaces are reserved in the order registrations are received. Your enrollment confirmation and class information will be sent to you after your registration and payment is received. Class payments must accompany all registrations.

• Inclement Weather/Class Cancellations: In the case of Inclement Weather or to confirm class cancellations/changes, please call the MLH Childbirth Class Cancellation Phone Line at 610-648-1462. This number will confirm whether or not class is cancelled, as well as plans to reschedule. The decision to cancel a class/tour is made by 4:30 on weeknights and 7:30 a.m. for Saturday classes.