Cancellation 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 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 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. 

Make-up classes:

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, Lil Sibs, Sprouts and Seedlings.  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. 

Rescheduled classes due to weather: 

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. If canceled classes cannot be rescheduled, prorated refunds will be provided. 

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 bump a class forward a week if/when a substitute instructor is not available. 

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 Covid-related policies in response to ongoing and ever-evolving public health concerns.**

Exceptions to our refund policy: 

If a particular class has a waitlist and we are able to immediately fill the vacancy created by a cancellation then we can offer a refund, less the 15% cancellation fee.  If for any reason Birth Roots must cancel a session, a full refund will be given, and alternative class options provided.

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.

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.  If you need a receipt, please contact the office.

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. 

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

Preparing Series:
Register: During your first or second trimester
Attend: During your late second or third trimester

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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