AR Gould Hosts Free Childbirth Classes

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - Expecting a baby can be one of life’s most exciting and overwhelming journeys. To help Aroostook County families prepare for the big day Northern Light AR Gould Hospital is hosting free in person childbirth classes. AR Gould Hospital is equipping parents-to-be with the tools, knowledge, and support they need for a safe and confident delivery. Starting in October, the hospital will offer free childbirth classes covering pregnancy, labor support, newborn care, and breastfeeding. Participants will also get a chance to tour the hospital’s Women & Children’s inpatient unit.

Jayme Hovey, an RN in the Women’s & Children’s Inpatient Unit at AR Gould Hospital says: “Michelle and I are really just trying to get back to educating new parents in the community on the childbirth process and alleviating some of the anxiety that comes with that if they’ve never done it before. We really hope to have a good turnout you know with parents and the support people. The support people are a huge part of the childbirth process, and we really want to educate them to be helpful in the delivery room.”

Michelle Medvedoff, Midwife at AR Gould Hospital added: “Patients, when they come in for prenatal care they get a lot of education in the visit, but the visits are often 20 minutes, so there’s only so much that we have a chance to go over. So, with our birthing classes it will be from 9 to 3. It’ll be an opportunity for the patients, and their families, their partners, their support people to meet other people in similar situations and of course learn about signs of labor, and what to expect in the delivery room, what to expect postpartum and also get a tour of the labor and delivery unit too.”

The classes will be offered four times a year and are intended for couples with expectant mothers who are at least 24 weeks into their pregnancy. Medvedoff: “Birthing classes are important for everybody especially our area. I feel like you have an instruction manual for your microwave and your car but there’s not a lot of information out there for delivery. So, this is an opportunity for people that live in our community, that are looking for a little bit more information and getting some tools and confidence to handle the unpredictability of birth.”

AR Gould says this is also a great opportunity for families traveling from Houlton to get familiar with the facility, especially after the closure of Houlton Regional Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit in May. Hovey: “Since the Houlton Labor and Delivery Unit closed a lot of our patients coming up are being welcoming. Some of them might have delivered their first or second baby in Houlton and they’re coming to a brand-new facility. So, just coming up and getting a tour and getting to see some of the staff I think will be a nice thing for them to do.”

Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, AR Gould’s free childbirth classes offer a chance to learn, connect, and feel more prepared for the journey ahead. For questions or to reserve a spot in the class, call Northern Light OB/GYN in Presque Isle at (207)768-5944.