The birth of a child is a wonderful, life-changing event. Pen Bay Medical Center provides a nurturing and comfortable environment for you, your baby and the entire family. You can count on medical expertise, compassionate care and advanced technology—so you can focus on the labor and delivery of your newborn.
Childbirth Education Class Schedule
Birthing Rooms
There are two spacious birthing suites and one smaller triage room, all rooms are private and comfortable, where the mother and her partner can share the birth experience in the care of our nursing and medical staff. All birthing rooms include state-of-the-art, fetal monitoring wireless technology, allowing the mother freedom of movement in labor. The mother’s birth plan will help guide her care.
Hydrotherapy/Tubs
Birthing suites have tubs where the mother can soak in the water for comfort in labor and/or use the tub to experience a water birth. All rooms include private bathrooms with showers that can also be used for hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy utilizes the soothing properties of warm water immersion for the laboring mother. A body in water weighs only a fraction of what it does out of water, which decreases tension, increases Oxytocin, and endorphins and creates a euphoric effect.
Cesarean Birth
Pen Bay Medical Center offers a full spectrum of surgical services to support both the scheduled and the unscheduled Cesarean birth. Mother’s can have a “Family Centered” surgical birth, which includes a clear drape for viewing of the birth and skin-to-skin in the operating room, to facilitate breast feeding. Nurses from the Birth Center will continue to care for you throughout the experience.
Pain Management
The Birth Center offers a full spectrum of medical options to manage pain and discomfort in labor. Including IV pain medication and Epidurals. An anesthesiologist is on-call and available 24 hours a day to support these options.
These classes are best taken when the mother is anywhere from 24-35 weeks pregnant.
Prenatal Registration
A scheduled appointment with an RN/lactation consultant from the Women and Infants Unit. This is an opportunity to complete paperwork, ask questions and review your birth plan. It is ideal to schedule this appointment about a month before your due date.
Cost: Free
Location: Birth Center at Pen Bay Medical Center
When: By appointment only, please call 207-301-8343 to schedule a time.
GentleBirth
Enjoy a new approach to child birth class combining brain science, birth science and technology to empower your positive birth through preparation. This class will include training and education in mindfulness, hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sports psychology. A mobile app will also be available to enhance the experience.
Cost: Free
Location: Online
When: Tuesdays from 6 – 8 p.m. for four weeks. Please visit the Event Calendar for class schedules and to register.
Breastfeeding Basics
A single two hour class that provides expectant mothers’ and their partner’s with an opportunity to ask questions about breastfeeding. As well as, learn coping mechanisms for returning to work, expressing, storing and handling breast milk. This class is taught by an RN on the Women and Infants Health Unit, who is also a board certified lactation consultant.
Cost: Free
Location: Online
When: Wednesdays from 6 - 8 p.m. Please visit the Event Calendar for class schedules and to register.
Post Partum Clinic
A scheduled appointment with 24-48 hours of discharge. This is an opportunity to be seen by an RN who is also a lactation consultant. The nurse will assess and evaluate how the baby is feeding and how mom is doing physically and emotionally.
Cost: $100, charged to insurance.
Location: Birth Center at Pen Bay Medical Center
When: Scheduled by appointment, at time of discharge.
Lactation Consult
A scheduled consultation with an RN who is also a lactation consultant. This is a service that a mother may be referred to if she is in need of breastfeeding support, education and encouragement beyond the hospital stay.
Cost: Charged to insurance
Location: Birth Center at Pen Bay Medical Center
When: Scheduled by appointment only, please call the lactation consultant at 207-301-8337, to schedule a consultation.
Women and Family Clinical Counselor
Wendelanne Augunas, LCPC is a clinical counselor dedicated to women and family health. She has an office at the Women’s Health practice and visits with patients while they are staying on the Women and Infants Unit at Pen Bay Medical Center. She is available by appointment and referral.
Cost: Charged to insurance.
Location: Women’s Health or Birth Center at Pen Bay Medical Center
When: Scheduled by appointment or referral, please contact Wendelanne at 207-301-8911, to make an appointment.
Virtual Support Groups
Additional support groups, including a weekly breastfeeding support group and a new parents circle, are available via zoom through Maine Medical Center. All are invited to participate. View the schedule of virtual support groups.
We will follow safe sleep practices for your newborn while you are at Pen Bay Medical Center.
Remember Your ABCs
The safest way for your baby to sleep is:
- Alone
- On their back
- In a crib
We recommend that your baby share a room with you for at least the first 6 months of life, or ideally for the first year.
Watch a safe sleep video and learn how to safely position your baby for sleep at naptime or bedtime to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).