Birthing and Breastfeeding Classes at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Childbirth Education Team is currently transitioning to a new class registration platform. As a result, no new classes will be posted for August during this transition.
If you are already registered for a class, your scheduled class will take place as planned.
We appreciate your patience as we complete this transition and will share our new registration go-live date as soon as it is available.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
. A Labor & Delivery nurse will respond to your email.
Our Services
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is proud to offer a variety of classes and support services for new and soon-to-be parents. Find more information, including how to sign up, below.
Childbirth Classes and Support Services
Learn more about our childbirth classes, support services, consultations and tours. Most services are offered both in-person and online. To find available class dates and/or register, please access our childbirth class portal here.
*To submit questions, please contact [email protected]. A labor and delivery nurse will respond to your email.
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Childbirth Education Class ($175 per family)
A 3-hour class, limited to 4 families. This small group setting allows you and your partner to ask any questions in a safe environment. Topics covered include home preparations, third trimester comfort measures, signs and symptoms of labor, admission process, labor stages, comfort options, ways nursing staff will support during labor and delivery, physical and psychological changes after delivery, and coaching tips for your birth partner. This will also include a tour of the unit. Learners will also see many of the items we use during delivery to allow you to become comfortable with your labor and delivery experience. You will also receive a canvas bag, a TERVIS cup, and online and paper resources to review at your convenience during this exciting time.
Registration and payment are now online if you would like to pay by credit card or check.
What to Bring to Class
All Attendees must bring a valid state or federal photo ID. Attendees can park in Orleans Garage and will meet at the Zayed 8 Security Desk, 5 minutes prior to start time. Please download the Hopkins “Find Your Way” app to help with driving and walking directions.
Additional Information
If desired a certificate of completion to submit for insurance can be obtained after the class has been completed. Please complete form during class and allow 1 week for certificate to be emailed to you.
The Johns Hopkins Childbirth Education Team is excited to announce we will be offering classes in Spanish. Please see registration page for class offerings. They will be labeled as Spanish in the listings.
Patient Testimony
Our classes aim to alleviate anxieties surrounding the last weeks of pregnancy, delivery, recovery and your post partum phase. Please enjoy a patient testimony on their experience with our classes and birthing experience.
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eClasses ($50/each)
An online childbirth class ideal for those expectant parents who would prefer to work at their own pace. Your eClass registration includes online access for 9 months. We are now offering three classes:
- 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. 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
- Understanding Newborn Care: Everything you need to know about the first 6 weeks of your newborn’s life, infant first aid, and milestones. Includes play and developmental techniques, normal newborn behaviors.
- Sibling Preparations: Help prepare your older siblings to be to help with preparation for baby, adapting to a new baby in the home, care for baby, and playing with baby.
For all zoom classes, information will be emailed to you 24 hours before class. Please check your spam/junk folders.
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Individual Consultations ($250 per couple):
This program offers all of the education covered in our Childbirth Education class and a personal tour of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Birthing Center, with one of our Childbirth Educators. Your educator will reach out prior, to prepare a class that meets your family’s individual needs. It is not necessary to register for a unit tour as it is already included with your session. Private lessons can be in person or virtual.
Registration and payment are now online if you would like to pay by credit card or check. -
In-Person Tour
Tours, free of cost, will last 45 minutes and will be with a labor nurse. They will walk you through the unit including: Triage/Observation, Labor Room, Post Partum Room. We are unable to show the OR as it is a sterile environment but will discuss the process during the tour. There will be time for questions as tour progresses.
Please note: All Attendees must bring a valid state or federal photo ID. Attendees can park in Orleans Garage and will meet at the Zayed 8 Security Desk, 5 minutes prior to start time. Please download the Hopkins “Find Your Way” app to help with driving and walking directions.
Virtual Tour: (Free!)
A free, virtual tour of our Birthing Center is accessible via YouTube. Watch our video tour at your convenience.
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What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and information support to parents. This support can happen before, during, and after birth.
Birth Companions
Birth Companions is a free service provided by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing to any expecting parents. Information for birth companions can be found at:
Birth Companions - Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (jhu.edu)
Services for Medicaid Patients
Expecting parents that participate in a Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO), can contact their provider to help connect you to a doula free of charge. Please discuss with your provider and MCO for further information on these services.
Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Classes and Support Services
Learn more about our lactation classes and support services.
For additional lactation support services, please call the warm line at 410-502-3221 or email [email protected] for more information. All calls/emails will be returned within 24hrs if we do not speak with you directly.
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Zayed Small Group Lactation Class ($50 per couple)
Topics include deciding to breast/chestfeed, getting ready to breast/chestfeed and preparing the entire family for the infant feeding experience. These classes are intended for pregnant persons and one support person. Cost: $50.00 per couple. Parking is not included in this cost. If you would like to pay by credit card or check, please register at our online class portal.
Please do not register for both the small group session as well as the one-hour virtual class.
Virtual
Offered via Zoom at the beginning of the month on Saturdays. Find exact dates and times when you register on our online class portal.
In-person
Offered at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Zayed 8 towards the end of the month on Sundays. Find exact dates and times when you register on our online class portal.
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Topics include deciding to breast/chestfeed, getting ready to breast/chestfeed and preparing the entire family for the infant feeding experience. This is a free, 60-minute class, offered once monthly via Zoom designed as a lunch and learn for the employees of Johns Hopkins. Classes intended for the pregnant person and one support person.
This is a compressed version of the small group classes, without videos, models, or extended discussion.
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In-person Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support Group (Free)
This weekly, in-person service is free and is led by our certified Lactation Consultants. We offer support to lactating individuals and nursing infants. All are welcome!
The Lactation Support Group meet-ups will be in-person on every Thursday morning.
- Meets weekly on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Bloomberg Building, Room 3350.
- Please check in with Security upon arrival.
- Please note, there will be no Support Group held on any holiday.
Lactation Support
- Warm Line: 410-502-3221; Email: [email protected]
- Please feel free to call or email with your lactation related questions.
- Our Lactation Consultants will be happy to speak with you and /or return your calls.
- All calls will be returned within 24 hours if we don't speak with you directly.