Classes

The Reading Midwife Center offers educational opportunities for our families. We have orientation for out-of-hospital birth for all our clients. Additionally, we have listed here some options for other classes and resources* you can utilize to prepare for your birth experience.

It is required that birth center clients take the Early Home Care class.

It is recommended that everyone take a childbirth class and breastfeeding class as well.

*As not all these resources are not all created and managed by the Reading Midwife Center, we cannot guarantee that we are in agreement with all the information that is being taught. This is not an extensive list, but it is included to give you a starting point for finding a good fit for your family's educational needs.

Childbirth Classes and Support

In-Person Childbirth Class:

Jodie Whitcombe is a childbirth educator and doula. Her childbirth class is held at our center. It covers what to expect in the stages of labor, and comfort measures from a holistic birth philosophy. Fee is $75.

Friday, December 6th, 5:30-8:30pm (full)

Friday, January 3rd, 5:30-8:30pm

Friday, February 7th, 5:30-8:30pm

Friday, March 7th, 5:30-8:30pm

Friday, April 4th, 5:30-8:30pm

(repeats monthly, you can e-mail ahead to be put on future date list for months not scheduled yet)

Visit her webpage to register or see more options:

https://www.yourbirthhaven.com/childbirthclasses

Lily Werley is a childbirth educator with ICEA. She teaches six hour class sessions in a cozy setting. E-mail Lily for all class listings and to register: lwerley@verizon.net

Virtual:

Brittany McCollum is a childbirth educator well known in the Philadelphia area and offers virtual class options for many topics including but not limited to: childbirth, infant care, breastfeeding, and pelvic floor health. Her classes can be found on her webpage: https://www.blossomingbelliesbirth.com/

Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN is the founder of https://evidencebasedbirth.com/. Not only is the site a place to find many free articles and videos about all things pregnancy, birth and baby related, but you can also find her online class offerings there.

Breastfeeding Classes and Support

In-Person:

Breastfeeding Class: Kasey Phifer-Byrne, RN, IBCLC offers in-person classes at our center monthly for $25. Please contact the office for her schedule.

Vicky Sullivan is a board certified lactation consultant(IBCLC) and does home visits. https://vickysullivantlc.wixsite.com/vickysullivanthelact. Some insurances will also cover an in-person prenatal consult with an IBCLC to provide education about breastfeeding.

Janet Graczyk, BS, IBCLC. She provides home visits and is in-network with many insurances. www.janetgraczyk.com

Pennsylvania Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants can be used to find other IBCLCs in your area: https://pro-lc.org/

Virtual:

Katie Madden, of Wilmington, DE is the founder of https://balancedbreastfeeding.com/. The blog posts can be helpful for navigating your breastfeeding experience.

Early Home Care

Early Home Care covers newborn and postpartum care for out-of-hospital birth. It is held at the center every other Wednesday at 6pm. Contact the office to sign up.

Tours/Orientation

Are you a birth center client or interested in becoming one? Join us for an orientation night! These are held every other Monday night. Please call the office to schedule.