Prenatal Parenting

Are you in your third trimester and preparing to birth your baby(ies)? Becoming a new parent is exciting and challenging. Together we’ll learn what to expect – from welcoming your baby to first steps. Expectant parents are invited to our six-session virtual Prenatal Parenting course to prepare for the transition from pregnancy to postpartum parenthood. This course is not a traditional hospital-based childbirth education class, it is a nurturing group program to build confidence in newborn and early parenting.

Groups are held on Tuesday evenings throughout the year via Zoom. Our next courses are:

May 20 - June 24, 2025 (six-week series from 6:30 to 8 p.m.). Register for the Course

July 8 - July 29, 2025 (four-session summer course from 6 to 8 p.m.).  Register for the Course

For questions about upcoming groups, please contact the group coordinator, Terri Ayala.

In this course, we will share information and discuss:

1. The Process of Bonding and Attachment
2. Newborn States of Consciousness
3. Newborn Sleep
4. Reading Infant Cues
5. Developmental Crying Behavior
6. Exploring Transition to Parenthood Themes
7. Understanding Perinatal Mental Health Challenges
8. Infant Development in the First Year

The program is grant-funded by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and is available to parents delivering at UConn Health or who reside in the following towns Bristol, Farmington, Canton, Simsbury, Plainville, Wallingford, Meriden, New Britain, Wethersfield, or Newington regardless of birthing hospital (these towns constitute our grant-funded region).

This is a free course!  

UConn Health OB/GYN Department offers free childbirth and breastfeeding education classes for birthing people delivering at our hospital.

If these programs are not a fit for you, please consider reaching out to a doula service practice as many doulas in Connecticut provide childbirth education classes for expectant parents.