Childbirth and Parenting Classes

St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network is pleased to offer a wide variety of childbirth and parenting classes at our Allentown and Bethlehem campuses.

Bethlehem Campus

• Pregnancy Orientation Program
• Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
• Breastfeeding Information Series
• Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Class (VBAC)
• Your Baby's First Year - What Every Parent Should Know
• Grandparenting Class
• Newborn and New Mother Care Class (formerly the Going Home Class)

Allentown Campus

• Pregnancy Orientation Program
• Newborn Care Class
• Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
• Pre-Birth Visits

When you have reached the 34th week of your pregnancy, please call the New Beginnings Family Birth Center at St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus to schedule a one-on-one visit with a nurse for about an hour. The nurse will answer your questions and fill out all paperwork in advance of delivering your baby.

Visits are offered at a variety of times. Please call 610-628-8650 to register.

• Prepared Childbirth Classes

All prepared childbirth classes are taught by registered nurses employed by St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus. Classes normally meet as small groups of five to eight couples in a comfortable classroom environment. Pregnant mothers and her labor support person will learn practical information about labor and delivery, along with caring for newborns, through thought-provoking discussions, relaxation and breathing exercises and interesting videos.

Classroom topics include:

• Normal physiology and emotions of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum
• Common variations of labor
• Coping skills used during labor and delivery
• Common medical interventions and procedures used throughout the labor process
• Post-partum care, newborn care, including breast and bottle feeding

Classes usually take place during the last trimester of pregnancy. Classes are offered as a five-week series; each class is generally two hours long. You may also choose from an intensive 8-hour Saturday class.

Tuesday evening classes, 6:30 to 8:30 pm (five-week series)
Course fee: $70; fee includes course materials.
Please call for available class dates and times.

Thursday evening classes, 6:30 to 8:30 pm (five-week series)
Course fee: $70; fee includes course materials.
Please call for available class dates and times.

Saturday one-day intensive class held monthly, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Course fee: $80; fee includes course materials, snacks and beverages; registrants are responsible for their own lunch.

Please call for available class dates and times.

All classes are held at St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown Campus in the 3rd Floor Wieand Conference Room. Classes are held at a variety of times; date will be confirmed at the time of reservation. Please register early, by the 28th week of pregnancy, by calling 610-628-8668; space is limited.