Childbirth & Parent Education at Wesson Women & Infants'

Baystate Medical Center offers a variety of classes for new parents, grandparents, and babysitters. You can also schedule a tour of the Wesson Women & Infants' Unit, join parent groups, and sign up for breastfeeding classes and groups.

Express bundles include additional parent and breastfeeding classes (Infant Care, Prenatal Breastfeeding, and Postnatal Newborn Behavior and Feeding). Please remember to choose your dates for the additional classes before you finish registering.

NOTE: Please check with your insurance company as some companies will reimburse you for childbirth classes. You should enroll in your fourth month of pregnancy for a childbirth education program, even though you will not begin the course until your sixth month. To register, please select classes below and register online.

If you have questions, please call 413-794-5515.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Online Preparation for Childbirth - $80

Our online childbirth class is ideal for those expectant parents who can’t attend an on-site childbirth class due to work schedules, time constraints, or medical conditions.

The eight-chapter program will help you:

Understand pregnancy – what’s happening to your body, discomforts, warning signs, nutrition, exercise, and more
Learn about labor – preparing for birth, pre-labor signs, onset of labor, 3D animation of labor process, and more
See how the stages of labor unfold – watch amazing real-life birth stories
Discover helpful comfort techniques – breathing, relaxation, massage, visualization, focal points, hydrotherapy, labor and pushing positions, advice for partners, and more

You can demo this class.

One Day Childbirth Education Express Bundle - $165

This one day class, held on Saturdays from 9 am-4 pm (45 minutes for lunch). This bundled event also includes three additional classes: Infant Care, Prenatal Breastfeeding and Postnatal Newborn Behavior and Feeding.

You’ll learn about:

Stages of labor and delivery
Basic comfort techniques
Medications
Medical interventions
Postpartum care

Two Day Childbirth Education Express Bundle - $165

A two-day class held over two consecutive weeks. This bundled event also includes three additional classes: Infant Care, Prenatal Breastfeeding and Postnatal Newborn Behavior and Feeding.

You’ll learn about:

Stages of labor and delivery
Basic comfort techniques
Medications
Medical interventions
Postpartum care

Basic Breathing and Positions for Labor - $25

This class is ideal for parents who want a more in-depth knowledge of advanced comfort and support techniques for labor and delivery. This information is not covered in the Preparation for Childbirth and Childbirth Education Express classes due to time constraints.

Practice time for relaxation, guided imagery, natural pain management and breathing techniques (Lamaze) are just a few of the topics covered.

Online Multiples Childbirth Education Class with On-site Tour - $100

Our Multiples Childbirth Education class is a combination of onsite and online. This class is ideal for expectant parents who want education that is specific for families expecting twins or triplets in their second trimester of pregnancy.

The online portion of the class is taken at home. Then families come to one of the quarterly classes at Baystate Medical Center to have their questions answered by a knowledgeable parent education instructor, who is also a lactation consultant and mother of twins. A tour of the maternity unit and walk through of the NICU is included during the class.

Prenatal Yoga - $12 per class/ $60 for six class pack

This class will use postures, breathing techniques and meditation to help ease pregnancy aches. It will prepare your body for delivery and improve your chances for a smoother recovery.

We create strength, focus, flexibility and awareness through a gentle practice designed especially for the pregnant woman's needs.

Infant and Child Care

Infant Care Class - $35

This prenatal class teaches you how to care for and understand your new baby. This class includes an 18 month "Understanding Your Newborn" Web App Access Card with essential videos and information.

You will learn about:

Creating and maintaining a loving bond
D diapering and bathing
Taking baby's temperature
Comforting techniques
Infant feeding cues
Sleep patterns
Normal infant appearance and behavior
When to call the physician

Keeping Baby Safe - $40

This class teaches parents how to keep your baby safe.

You'll learn about:

Infant CPR
First aid for choking
Poison prevention
Baby-proofing your home
Car seat safety

Newborn Behavior and Feeding - Free

Taken after you deliver, this class provides postpartum support for new parents and provides information on newborn behavior in the first few weeks of your infant’s life.

You’ll learn about:

Feeding cues for breast and bottle feeding
Infant sleep patterns
Comforting a crying infant
Returning to work
Continued support for breastfeeding moms
Pumping techniques
Storage of breast milk.

Postnatal Yoga with Baby - $12 per class/ $60 for six class pack

This class is a great opportunity to bond with your baby, strengthen muscles that were affected in pregnancy/labor and stretch all of motherhood’s new aches and pains. Babies up to 1 year old and crawling are welcome.

You'll learn about:

breathing techniques to calm the mind and bring energy to the body
strengthening the pelvic floor and abdomen

Babysitter Academy - $75/ $30 each additional sibling

This is a babysitting training program for young adults ages 11 1/2 to 16. Participants who attend receive a babysitter's handbook, safety booklet, and graduation certificate.

You’ll learn about:

Baby care
First aid
Fire safety
Home security
Accident prevention
Child behavior
CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation)

Grandparents Class - $25

This class, for grandparents-to-be and new grandparents, provides information about current labor and delivery, infant feeding and safety practices. Discussion on the role of grandparents and a tour of the birthing center is included.