{"id":146,"date":"2019-08-26T14:29:34","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T18:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/?page_id=146"},"modified":"2026-10-01T12:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T16:13:46","slug":"prenatal-parenting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/programs\/prenatal-parenting\/","title":{"rendered":"Prenatal Parenting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prenatal Parenting<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Interracial<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Are you expecting your first baby(ies) and in your third trimester?<\/h3>

Are you in your third trimester and preparing to birth your baby(ies)? Becoming a new parent is exciting and challenging. Together, we\u2019ll learn what to expect \u2013 from welcoming your baby to taking their 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Groups are held on Tuesday evenings (6:30 - 8:00 PM) throughout the year via Zoom. Our next course is:<\/p>\n

November 3 - December 15, 2026 (*No class on November 17th*)\u00a0 Register for the Course.<\/a><\/p>\n

In this course, we will share information and discuss:<\/p>\n

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

    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)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    This is a free course!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    UConn Health\u2019s OB\/GYN Department offers free childbirth and breastfeeding education classes<\/a> for birthing people delivering at our hospital.<\/p>\n

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

    <\/div>\n
    Welcome Home Baby!<\/b><\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
    Prepare for your baby's first weeks with confidence! Join us for a free, interactive, one-session group designed specifically for expectant parents currently in their third trimester<\/em> (28+ weeks) who are delivering at UConn.<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
    This class bridges the gap between prenatal preparation and hands-on strategies when caring for a newborn baby.\u00a0 Gain practical experience using life-like infant simulation dolls to learn the essentials: holding, feeding positions, burping, soothing strategies, swaddling, and diapering your newborn.\u00a0 Discover techniques to read your baby's cues and build a secure, loving attachment from day one.<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
    Led by Terri Ayala, Parent Educator, Lactation Counselor, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, and Infant Mental Health Specialist, this class focuses on developmental connection and daily baby care simulation.\u00a0 \u00a0Medical questions regarding pregnancy or infant health care will be directed to your OB\/GYN or pediatrician.<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
    Class Details:<\/b><\/div>\n
    Cost:<\/b>\u00a0 Free<\/div>\n
    Date:\u00a0<\/strong> Monday, October 26, 2026<\/div>\n
    Time:<\/strong>\u00a0 9:30 - 11:00AM<\/div>\n
    Location:<\/strong>\u00a0 Outpatient Pavilion - Third Floor Large Conference Room #: S3301<\/div>\n
    Capacity:<\/b>\u00a0 Limited to 20 individuals or 10 couples<\/div>\n
    Register Here<\/a><\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    For questions or more information, contact the UConn Health Parenting Group coordinator\/class instructor:<\/p>\n

    Terri Ayala, B.S., IMH-E, CEIM, CLC
    \nPhone:     860-679-3779<\/a>
    \nEmail:     tayala@uchc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Prenatal Parenting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-blank.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-146","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-24 11:33:14","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146"}],"version-history":[{"count":288,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1225,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146\/revisions\/1225"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/parenting-program\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}