Classes

When are classes offered?

We try to schedule our 4-week classes to start at the beginning of every month. The 3-week Preparing Series class start date varies from the beginning or middle of the month. The Birth Class Intensive, Toddler Parenting, Lil Siblings and the Pregnancy Class are typically offered bimonthly. Shared Identity groups meet monthly and typically meet on the same day and time of the month.

Does one registration cover two participants?

This is different for each class, so please keep reading to see what applies to your class. For all of our prenatal classes, one registration covers two participants. For Buds for Two, one registration also covers two caregivers and newborn. Registration for all other postnatal classes (Buds, Lil Siblings, Tot Tunes, Nature Camp) covers the primary caregiver and newborn/child. Toddler Parenting registration covers one caregiver with the option to add a second caregiver at checkout for a reduced price.

Can I make up a class if I have to miss it (Make Up Policy)?

Prenatal make-up classes may be an option if a seat is open in another class before your due date. Postnatal make-up classes are generally not available for Buds or Lil Sibs. For toddler multi-week series, like Baby Roots Nature Camp or Tot Tunes, one make-up class per four week series is available when the absence is for illness. Our small staff is not able to oversee make-up session requests due to vacations, visitors, or nap schedule transitions. Thank you for understanding.

Can I bring my toddler/older sibling to classes?

All prenatal classes are for adult participants only. Lil Siblings class is for the primary caregiver and newborn only. For Shared Identity Groups, participants may bring babies-in-arms 6 months and younger along. Groups often meet in our downstairs classroom, which is not toddler-proof. The Toddler Parenting class is for parents, taken without their toddlers present, but 0-6 month old babies-in-arms are welcome as we’ve found that this allows more parents to attend! You are welcome to sign up siblings that are under 36 months for Tot Tunes & Nature Camp.

How does your waitlist work?

If a spot opens up in a class, we will send an email to the waitlist letting everyone know. The spot will then be filled on a first sign-up basis. If you click the link to register and it says “waitlist,” this likely means someone has already taken the open spot. Cancellations can occur (very) last minute, especially for prenatal classes, so be on the lookout for emails from us via Sawyer up until the day before class begins. Make sure you also have finished setting up your Sawyer profile (full name, name of second parent/caregiver, credit card, etc.) so that you can easily and quickly register.

My partner, or both of us, can’t come to our prenatal class tonight, can I FaceTime them in or record class?

This is facilitator approval-specific. Most of the time, it is okay for you to FaceTime or Zoom them in, as long as it is not disruptive to the other class participants. Some classes have hands-on learning that your partner would not be able to participate in. Depending on the class, there may be some printouts your facilitator can share with you. We cannot record class due to logistics and protecting the privacy of other participants. Please email us or your facilitator to let us know if you will not be in attendance and/or to request any materials be shared. We encourage all participants to bring notebooks to class if they wish to take notes.

Refund Policy

Prenatal Classes:

Refunds will be provided for medical/pregnancy-related reasons (i.e. bedrest, preterm delivery, or a loss) at any time. For non-medical/pregnancy-related reasons, refunds are available (less a 15% cancellation fee) if the cancellation is initiated 45 days before the start of the class. For cancellations after 45 days, a class credit is offered if requested 4 or more business days before class begins. 

Postnatal Newborn Classes:

If you are enrolled in one of our immediate postnatal classes (Newborn Buds or Lil Sibs) and your newborn arrives later than anticipated, or has unanticipated medical needs, we will gladly move you forward to the next month’s session. In this scenario, we ask that you email us at your earliest convenience so that we can offer your seat to any waitlisted families. If your baby arrives early, we encourage you to inquire about available spots in an earlier session. If you wish to cancel, refunds (less a 15% cancellation fee) will be issued if the cancellation occurs at least 21 days before the start of the class. For cancellations after 21 days, a class credit is offered if requested 4 or more business days before class begins. 

Postnatal & Toddler Classes:

Refunds (less a 15% cancellation fee) will be issued if the cancellation occurs at least 21 days before the start of the class. For cancellations after 21 days, a class credit is offered if requested 4 or more business days before class begins. 

Cancellations & Reschedules

Cancelled or rescheduled classes due to weather (Snow Day Policy): 

In Maine, between December and March, classes are subject to winter weather closures. Please check your email any day that Portland Public Schools close due to weather conditions. It sometimes happens that a morning class is canceled, but the evening class is not, or vice versa. Prorated refund will only be provided if cancelled classes cannot be rescheduled. 

Rescheduled classes due to facilitator schedules:

Many of our perinatal educators are active doulas attending births each month. They are also parents of young children, which means we occasionally need to reschedule a class date if/when a substitute instructor is not available. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled class date, you will receive a prorated class credit. 

Cancellations due to low enrollment:

If we do not have enough registrations, we may need to cancel the class. We typically make this call about two weeks before the class start date. Anyone who has already signed up will receive a notification of the cancellation and a full refund.

Cancellations due to policy changes:

We make every effort to give 30+ days lead time to policy changes.  It is not uncommon for families to enroll in classes more than 3 months in advance of the class.  If a policy change takes place and you wish to change your enrollment, you will have the option of a full refund. **This is particularly important as we continue to adjust illness-related policies in response to ongoing and ever-evolving public health concerns.**

When To Take Your Birth Roots Classes

In our experience working with families, we recommend registering and taking classes based on the schedule outlined below. We always encourage people to register as early as possible. Please reach out with questions. We’re here to help.   

The Pregnancy Class:
Register: As soon as you know you’re pregnant
Attend: During your first or second trimester

*One registration covers two participants.

Preparing Series:
Register: During your first or second trimester
Attend: We recommend taking both the prenatal Preparing Series and Birth Class series, as the information covered in these classes complement each other well. We find it is most helpful to take the Preparing Series first (sometime in your second or third trimester or at 26-31 weeks gestation,) and the Birth Class second (taken so that the last class ends at about 36-weeks gestation, or 3 weeks before your EDD).

*One registration covers two participants.

Birth Class Series:
Register: During your first or second trimester
Attend: We recommend taking both the prenatal Preparing Series and Birth Class series, as the information covered in these classes complement each other well. We find it is most helpful to take the Preparing Series first (sometime in your second or third trimester or at 26-31 weeks gestation,) and the Birth Class second (taken so that the last class ends at about 36-weeks gestation, or 3 weeks before your EDD).

*One registration covers two participants.

Birth Class Intensive:
Register: During your first or second trimester
Attend: This class should be completed three weeks prior to your due date. 

*One registration covers two participants.

Buds and Buds for Two – The Newborn Class:
Register: Even though this is a postnatal class, we recommend registering during your second trimester of pregnancy. Register for the session that begins the month after your due date (Ex. If your due date is May 10th, register for the session that begins in June. Adjustments can be made due to earlier or later than expected arrivals).
Attend: As early as possible after birth. Your newborn must be 0-12 weeks at the start of class.

*One registration for Buds for Two covers two participants

*Registration for Buds is for primary caregiver and baby only

Little Siblings (for 2+ time parents and their babies):
Register: Even though this is a postnatal class, please register during your first or second trimester of pregnancy. Register for the session that begins the month after your due date (Ex. If your due date is May 10th, register for the session that begins in June. Adjustments can be made due to earlier or later than expected arrivals).
Attend: When your baby is 0-5 months old

*Registration is for primary caregiver and baby only

Toddler Parenting:
Register: 1-3 months before class begins
Attend: This class is for parents with children who are 1-3 years old

*Registration is for primary caregiver only, but there is an option to add an additional person for $20 at checkout.

The Philosophies Behind Our Classes

Facilitating Community
This is an introspection-based approach that Birth Roots has pioneered since 2002 that fosters personal growth and development. There is no one right way and these classes support participants in decision making, resource finding and community building along the way.

Community Supported Parenting
Community Supported Parenting is how we bring Facilitating Community into the perinatal experience.  A unique collection of pre and postnatal classes that help parents create support networks and bridges from one framework and context to the next as they encounter all of the milestones of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Birth Roots facilitators create a container where parents can question and try out new ideas and possibilities and group source options and ideas for the many unknowns of the evolution of being a parent.

Hand in Hand Parenting
The Hand in Hand Parenting Approach supports parents through all the milestones and experiences of parenthood.  This is a flexible, connection-based approach that helps parents understand how and why emotions and behaviors happen and how to work with them.

In our classes, we provide parents with the resources, tools, and the listening they themselves need so they can remain steady when their children most need their support.

Payment Options

Online Payment – You can register and pay online by visiting our registration page.      

Payment plans — Most of our classes are eligible for an interest-free payment plan, which is easily applied at checkout through our registration platform.

Sliding scale — We offer a no-questions-asked sliding scale option for most of our classes. You can read more and find the codes needed to reduce the cost of the class here.

Scholarships — If, after using the sliding scale and payment plan, our class fees are still prohibitive, please fill out our scholarship request form. We are able to offer full and partial scholarships to families. Questions? Email us at info @ birthroots.org.

Gift certificates – Gift certificates are available and make a wonderful shower gift! Click here to purchase a gift certificate. 

Mail a payment – Checks can be made payable to Birth Roots and sent to 16 Vannah Ave, Portland, ME 04103.

Insurance reimbursement – Some insurance companies reimburse for part, if not all, of your childbirth class fees with proof of your payment and attendance.  If you need a receipt, please contact the office.

HSA/FSA coverage – There is no external certification of eligibility for HSA use through the IRS for coverage of childbirth classes, so Birth Roots is not able to authoritatively say yes or no our classes would be considered covered. Publication 502 is the go-to document for determining eligibility for HSA use, but unfortunately it doesn’t name childbirth education as covered or not. That said, many benefits websites share information quoting that all birth related education is covered. In that case, our 2-day or 4-week Birth Class would be eligible. The Preparing Series and newborn buds (postnatal) classes would not be covered.

Holiday Closures and Recognition

Each year, Birth Roots plans to be closed for the following federally-recognized holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

We recognize that this list does not represent the range of important holidays celebrated by our community. In an effort to offer comprehensive programming year round, we do run classes and group on holidays that are important to families in our community. If you sign up for a class that lands on a holiday you celebrate, please let us know. We are happy to offer a prorated refund for any classes you miss because of this. We also work around our facilitators’ unique schedules to support them in celebrating holidays that are sacred and meaningful for their families. If you have questions about this, please reach out to us at info @ birthroots.org